Boys Basketball Districts Are Out 2024

by orionontv | Dec 26, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

Boys Basketball Districts Are Out 2024.

Written Tuesday June 20th at 9:15 AM

Updated Tuesday December 26th at 11:35 AM

This article will be updated very often. Coaches including those are not in the OAA, if you want your thoughts on your district for the blog, please DM me on Twitter or email me.

Here is the districts.

District 23 @ Groves

GROVES

BERKLEY

OAK PARK

ROYAL OAK

Warren Mott

PROJECTED MPR: 1. Groves, 2. Royal Oak

FAVORITE: Groves

NEXT: Oak Park

DARKHORSE: Berkley

PLAYER ON SPOT: Josh Gibson-Groves

THOUGHTS: This is shaping up to be a very interesting district in Beverly Hills. Warren Mott will look to have a much better season after winning two games last season for Coach Greg Tilney. Royal Oak was up and down last season. The Ravens have Nick Hoffman, Luke Lizak, Eddie Skaleski, and Camden Clark coming back for Coach Aaron Smith. Berkley is a very interesting team and could be a wildcard. The Bears have Donovan Powell, Micah Green, Andrew Cook, Joe Voss, and Michael Onuoha coming back for Coach Joe Sermo. Oak Park is not in a district with Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit which helps. The Knights have Geon Hutchins and Jason Sanders coming back for Coach Durrand Sheppard. Groves had a great regular season sharing the White with West Bloomfield but they fell to arch rival Seaholm in the first round last season. The Falcons have John Simpson, Josh Gibson, Brody Tushman, Landon McKinney, Paul Hubbard, and Elijah Yelder coming back. They also have David Jones who could make an impact for Coach Marc West. This district could be shaping up to be a Knights/Falcons district final but can’t count out the Ravens or Bears by any means.

HOLIDAY THOUGHTS: This has been a really tough district to figure out when it comes to seeding. Oak Park and Groves are in the Red but they have struggled in December. Royal Oak is off to a torrid start but MPR could be a concern down the line for them. Berkley has been very interesting but they have started to play really good basketball. Warren Mott has really struggled. Overall this is a hard district to predict, I made a change to the MPR to put the Ravens in the two slot but that may not last especially with the Falcons and Knights schedule in the Red. The Bears are a strong darkhorse. Royal Oak will be the team to watch for sure in this district.

District 24 @ Livonia Stevenson

FARMINGTON

NORTH FARMINGTON

SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH

Livonia Stevenson

Redford Thurston

Livonia Franklin

PROJECTED MPR: 1. North Farmington, 2. Livonia Franklin

FAVORITE: North Farmington

NEXT: Livonia Franklin

DARKHORSE: Redford Thurston

PLAYER ON SPOT: Dylan Smith-North Farmington

THOUGHTS: This should be a very interesting district in Livonia. Redford Thurston won 13 games last season. The Eagles have Daniel Winston, Nathan Thompson, Jonathan Tate, Jalen Ferguson, Nicholas Warren, Nathan Williams, Jeremiah Robinson, and Ryan Williams coming back for Coach Brian Bates. Livonia Franklin won 17 games last season. The Patriots have a ton of proven experience in Robbie Wynn, Owen Pottenger, Jon Jasionowski, Mitch Cronyn, Owen Phail, Mendale Broaden, Stocker Kenyon, Aiden Jacobson, Zach Cox, Owen Naum, and Drew Kelbert coming back for Coach Thomas Hurley. Livonia Stevenson won 13 games last season. The Spartans have Mark Stein, Dylan McGlinch, Isaac Iacoban, Nathan Muntean, John Ericson, and Jon Toth coming back for Coach Eoghann Stephens. Southfield Arts and Tech has Xavier Bowman coming back for Coach Terrance Porter. Farmington should be much improved this season. The Falcons have Greg Grays, Quintez Saltler, Darrell Cochrane, and Anthony Bailey coming back for new coach Byron Johnson. North Farmington lost some proven talent after their very controversial loss to Orchard Lake St. Marys in the regional finals last season but they’ll have some proven talent this season. The Raiders have Tyler Spratt, Robert Smith, Landon Williams, and Avi Melster coming back along with Walled Lake Western transfer Dylan Smith and Oak Park transfer Rob Smith for Coach Tom Negoshian. The Raiders are favored but the Patriots might have a strong say and watch for the Falcons and Eagles, they both could make some noise in this district.

HOLIDAY THOUGHTS: North Farmington is everything that I’ve expected to see and then some. Livonia Franklin has been solid but have had some are you kidding me moments (Dearborn, Dearborn Heights Crestwood.) Southfield Arts and Tech has been up and down lately. Livonia Stevenson has won three of their last four games. Farmington has been improving despite their record. Redford Thurston has been up and down. Overall no changes but the gap has widen between the Raiders and everyone else.

District 25 @ TBA

WEST BLOOMFIELD

Orchard Lake St. Marys

Walled Lake Northern

Walled Lake Central

Walled Lake Western

Lakeland

PROJECTED MPR: 1. Orchard Lake St. Marys, 2. West Bloomfield

FAVORITE: Orchard Lake St. Marys

NEXT: West Bloomfield

DARKHORSE:Walled Lake Central

PLAYER ON SPOT: Donnie Watts-West Bloomfield

THOUGHTS: This district looks like it’s a mismatch on paper. Orchard Lake St. Marys should be the overwhelming favorite in this district after getting to the final four despite having a losing record and beating four top ten teams in the postseason. The Eaglets have Daniel Smythe, Andrew Smith, Isiah Hines, Luke Crighton, Jayden Savoury, Norman Klawender, Peyton Kemp, Sharod Barnes, and Trey McKenney coming back for Coach Todd Covert. Walled Lake Central was very young last season. The Vikings have Josh Olsson, Robbie Smiley, Vish Das, Nick Hopkins, Jake Nellett, David Yakubov, Xakaria Jallow, Justin Holmes, Nathan Cody, and Luke Sechrist coming back for Coach Chuck Spolsky. Lakeland had an up and down year after winning 13 games last season. The Eagles have Nsikan Usen, Zach Reppuhn, Noah Tiernan, Hayden Cross, Drew Carlson, Cole Bromley, and Bryce Cleasby coming back for Coach Ron Thompson. Walled Lake Western won 11 games last season. The Warriors have Max Kirk, Bryce Wiggins, David Seo, Cameron Walters, Pasha Goffee, Issac Kanouno, Logan Hickey, Kellan Hickey, Nikolas Hakim, Kellen Krzisnik, Jacob Walley, Nathan Doak, and Novak Lazich coming back for Coach Dwayne Graves. Walled Lake Northern should be strong this season after winning eight games last season. The Knights have Owen Hickey, Antonio Hatcher, Drew Smith, Dylan Kramer, Stone Seyburn, Bryce Hodge, Noah Lamerato, and Pierson Bahoura coming back for Coach Ryan Negoshian. West Bloomfield shared the White last season and is in the Red this season. The Lakers have Donnie Watts, Corey Pittman, Chris Britton, Caleb Caudle, and Dyoni Edwards coming back and they added Bloomfield Hills transfer Drew Wilson for Coach Arnette Jordan. This district looks like a mismatch on paper with the Eaglets as the overwhelming favorite and for good reason but the Lakers might have a shot, you never know.

HOLIDAY THOUGHTS: Walled Lake Central is off to a surprising start to the season with wins over Waterford Mott and Lakeland. Their only loss was to Pontiac Notre Dame Prep. Lakeland has had moments of greatness. Walled Lake Western has been up and down with wins over Seaholm. Walled Lake Northern is well coached and could pose a tough out for anyone. West Bloomfield has been the Rodney Dangerfield but they have seemed to be turning things around. Orchard Lake St. Marys has had a strong start but fell to Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit. Overall no real changes but the Vikings are a darkhorse to watch.

District 27 @ Grand Blanc

OXFORD

Davison

Grand Blanc

Holly

Lapeer

PROJECTED MPR: 1. Davison, 2. Grand Blanc

FAVORITE: Davison

NEXT: Grand Blanc

DARKHORSE: Oxford

PLAYER ON SPOT: Ka’Vion Smith-Holly

THOUGHTS: There are four proven teams in this very tough district in Genesee County. Grand Blanc went to the final four with two different coaches and now they have a new but very familiar coach. The Bobcats have Anthony Perdue, Bryce O’Mara, Donnie Hutchinson, and Daniel Stelle along with incoming freshmen Isaiah McCree coming back for new coach Doreace Martin. Lapeer really struggled going winless last season. They are looking for a bounce back season. The Lightning have Hayden Josef, Will Fisher, Aiden Huestis, Connor Brown, Nikola Mashni, and Trenton Bierbusse coming back for Coach Greg McGeary. Davison really made some strides. They won 17 games last season. The Cardinals have Grew Lawson, Cortez Porter, Buddy Banks-Williams, Conner Woodruff, Sawyer Glennie, Jackson Bowden, and Danny Wolak coming back for Coach Mike Williams. Holly had a special year winning 17 games along with the Flint Metro League tournament last season but was upset by Hartland in the district semifinals. The Bronchos have Ka’Vion Smith, Anthony Simmons, and Bowen Moore coming back for Coach Steve DeHart. Oxford won 13 games last season. The Wildcats have some proven experience in Luke Stoffan, Jay Cady, Drew Cady, Jonah Lundberg, and Jake Champagne coming back for new coach Joe Fedorinchik. This district looks like its Grand Blanc’s to lose but keep an eye on Davison, Holly, and Oxford, these three teams are more than capable of springing an upset.

HOLIDAY THOUGHTS: This district has some major changes. Grand Blanc is 0-2 and there are some major concerns with the Bobcats that I have surrounding them. I’ve seen Davison play and they look really good. The Cardinals are more than capable of breaking through in this district. Holly when healthy is very dangerous. The Bronchos can make up a ton of ground quickly and are well coached. Lapeer is coming off two wins against Holly and Flint but had a rough loss to Clio. Oxford has a win over Lapeer in the regular season. The Wildcats have been playing much better and that’s a good sign. Overall the Cardinals are the favorite but the Bobcats need to be careful with teams like Oxford and Holly when healthy that could pass them.

District 28 @ Waterford Kettering

AVONDALE

CLARKSTON

LAKE ORION

PONTIAC

Waterford Kettering

Waterford Mott

PROJECTED MPR: 1. Clarkston, 2. Waterford Mott

FAVORITE: Clarkston

NEXT: Waterford Mott

DARKHORSE: Lake Orion

PLAYER ON SPOT: Jacoby Manyweathers-Waterford Mott

THOUGHTS: This is going to be a very tough and interesting district in Waterford. Waterford Mott added a ton of transfers in the offseason despite winning 16 games last season. The Corsairs have Jordan White, Jacoby Manyweathers, Gavin Ort, Geno Sheets, Jaiden Price, Greg White, Devon Lewis, Marlone Reed, and Isreal Anthony, Damari Stevens, Tory Robinson, and Max Jansenvanvuren coming back. Sheets and Jansenvanuren are coming in from Florida and Birmingham Brother Rice respectively for returning Coach Jeff Jayson. Waterford Kettering really struggled winning four games last season. The Captains have Noah Salazar, Jordan Jarrell, Kevin Meredith, Hunter Jager, Adrian Hicks, Carter Schroeder, Diego Rocha, and Noah Bisnett coming back for Coach Steve Emert. Pontiac really struggled last season but things have been trending in the right direction. The Phoenix have JJ Claudio, Traveon Peters, Carter Leatherwood, OJ Ghee, Famarzay Jeffery, Faheem Jeffery, and Tim Ewing for new coach Andrew Myers. Claudio, Peters, Ghee, Jeffery, and Ewing are either freshmen or sophomores. Avondale had some turmoil last season. They have a new coach and has been a pure Jekyll and Hyde team this summer. The Yellow Jackets have DJ Moody, Dequarius White, Anthony Burton, Amaria Daniel, and Justin Greer-Sykes coming back for new Coach Jaret Thomas. Lake Orion was very competitive last season winning 12 games. They are a very young team but they could surprise some people. The Dragons have Gabe Scott, Nick Galben, Ethan Sharkey, Hayden Armstrong, Quay Fly, Ryan Rocheleau, and Sam Blakeley coming back for Coach Jose Andreadas. Lake Orion did get a transfer in Zach Parks. Parks transferred from Brandon this offseason. Clarkston won 12 games despite what fans called a struggling year last season. The Wolves have Aidan Barnes, Brady Beck, Cole Charter, Quinn Rosenberg, Peyton Fitzsimmons, John Kaul, Brycen Lefief, Matthew Pflieger, and Matthew Taverna coming back for Coach Tim Waslik. This district is very tough as mentioned. The Wolves are a slight favorite but never count out the Corsairs, Dragons, Yellow Jackets, or Phoenix.

HOLIDAY THOUGHTS: This district is really starting to get interesting. Clarkston despite their early struggles has been rolling. I’ve been torn on Waterford Mott and Lake Orion. The Corsairs have been struggling a little bit while the Dragons have been a machine. Avondale has been starting to turn things around and could be a tough task for anyone who has to play them. Pontiac has been up and down. Waterford Kettering has been also up and down. Overall I thought about moving Lake Orion over Waterford Mott but decided to keep everything as is because of the play in the Lakes Valley Conference.

District 29 @ Troy Athens

TROY ATHENS

TROY

SEAHOLM

BLOOMFIELD HILLS

Birmingham Brother Rice

PROJECTED MPR: 1. Birmingham Brother Rice, 2. Troy

FAVORITE: Birmingham Brother Rice

NEXT: Troy

DARKHORSE: Troy Athens

PLAYER ON SPOT: Warren Marshall-Birmingham Brother Rice

THOUGHTS: This should be a very interesting district on paper. Birmingham Brother Rice fell to Orchard Lake St. Marys in the district finals last season despite winning 22 games. The Warriors and the Eaglets are in different districts this season. The Warriors have TJ Yaldo, Lohan Hamama, Luke Salkowski, Evan Koph, Warren Marshall, Quincy Twymon, Jeremiah Caffey, David Williams, Cash Lawson, and Chase Van Ameyde coming back. They added Elijah Williams from Arizona, Trevor Smith transferred in from Okemos and have a freshman standout in Ace Walters for Coach Ricky Palmer. Troy won 15 games last season and should be in the mix. They have Jon Whiteside, Andrew Lake, DeNiro Price, Bryce Bauman, Chase Kuiper, and Mason Parker coming back for Coach Gary Fralick. Bloomfield Hills lost a ton of proven talent from last season. The Blackhawks have Daron Mason, Carter Canfield, Mason Hitchcock, Blake Nagy, Reggie Hinton, and Phil Mohammad coming back for Coach Brian Canfield. Troy Athens should be a sleeper and they have home court. The Red Hawks have Emmanuel Robinson, Hayden Crum, Brayden Downey, Griffin LaBay, Luke DiGiovanni, and Eli Garvin coming back for Coach Dave Scott. Seaholm won the Blue last season after a rough start. The Maples have Findlay Sparby, Abraham Miller, Max Laskey, James Chinonis, and Jacob Drouillard coming back for Coach Mike DeGeeter. This district looks like it’s the Warriors to lose but the Colts might have a very strong say about that and everyone else in this district is not bad at all.

HOLIDAY THOUGHTS: Birmingham Brother Rice is off to a very strong start. Troy has bounced back nicely after their opening night loss to Berkley. Troy Athens has been up and down lately. Bloomfield Hills has really struggled this season. Seaholm has been up and down thus far. Overall no changes when it comes to seeding in this district.

District 30 @ Adams

ADAMS

STONEY CREEK

ROCHESTER

Utica Eisenhower

Utica

Romeo

PROJECTED MPR: 1. Adams, 2. Utica

FAVORITE: Adams

NEXT: Utica

DARKHORSE: Utica Eisenhower

PLAYER ON SPOT: Peter Karadasis-Adams

THOUGHTS: This should be a very interesting district whoever hosts. Utica won 15 games last season. The Chieftains have Numehnne Gwilly, Sebastian Soriano, Mason Brodi, Silas Smith, Hussein Naser, Timothy Geottes, Ali Hasan, Blake Dan, Nick Gojcaj, and Luke Cottingham coming back for Coach David Hinke. Utica Eisenhower should be very interesting. They won 14 games but fell to Adams on a buzzer beater at home in the district finals last season. The Eagles have Brandon Buza, Alex Varner, Hayden Bills, Ian Patterson, Preston Crum, Owen Van Dam, Karsten Vaughn, Dominic Trupi, Cody Raymond, and Khristian Dimovski coming back for Coach Tom Antishin. Romeo has been an enigma especially in the postseason. The Bulldogs have Deron Foster, Maguire Guinn, Rickey Hussey, Aidan Kamego, Aidan Tague, Andrew Taseski, and Jacob Watson coming back for Coach Marv Cushingberry. Rochester should be solid again this season. The Falcons have Max Mohl, Logan Pleasant, Noah Kim, Luke Lionas, Evan Crowe, and Jake Tandy coming back for Coach Nick Evola. Stoney Creek really struggled last season. The Cougars have Tre Walker, and Tommasso Sinacola coming back for Coach Jeff Olind. Adams went through a lot of changes this offseason but they should be in the mix come postseason time. The Highlanders have William Gee, Peter Karadasis, Trenton LaGarde, Jake Andrzejak, Aaron Troxwell, Chan Yang, and Gavin Farris coming back for new Coach Isiah Novak. This district is very interesting as mentioned. The Eagles and Highlanders stand out but watch for the Cougars with their young nucleus. The Falcons and Chieftains aren’t bad either. It’s really hard to trust the Bulldogs come postseason time.

HOLIDAY THOUGHTS: The Highlanders have been off to a good start and the record shows it. Utica has been off to a torrid start going 8-0. The Chieftains have wins over Romeo and Utica Eisenhower. Romeo it’s hard to trust them when it comes to consistency. Utica Eisenhower is starting to turn things around despite losses to Utica and New Haven. Rochester has struggled but got a win to close 2023. Stoney Creek has really struggled and the stats prove it. Overall a ton of changes but Utica should scare anyone who is in this district.

District 58 @ TBA

HARPER WOODS

Harper Woods Chandler Park

St. Clair Shores South Lake

Eastpointe

Detroit Denby Tech

Detroit East English Village Prep

PROJECTED MPR: 1. Harper Woods Chandler Park, 2. Harper Woods

FAVORITE: Harper Woods

NEXT: Harper Woods Chandler Park

DARKHORSE: Detroit East English Village Prep

PLAYER ON SPOT: Julian Young-Harper Woods

THOUGHTS: There are a ton of storylines in this district but no one is hosting as of yet. Detroit Denby won 10 games last season for Coach Kevin Woodmore. Detroit East English Village Prep won five games last season for Coach Vincent Bright. St. Clair Shores South Lake won six games. Eastpointe went winless last season. The Shamrocks have Aaron Perry, Dalon Davis, and Kean Davison coming back for Coach Michael Railey. Harper Woods Chandler Park won 15 games last season for Coach Bobby Thompson. Harper Woods made the district finals in Division One last season. They are back in Division Two this season. The Pioneers have Julian Young, Isiah Lewis, Colby Bailey, Jason Prince, Delano Key, Tyler Lowry, and Stephone Buford coming back for Coach TaJuan Porter. Overall this looks like a two team district between the Pioneers and Eagles but don’t count the Tars, they could surprise some people.

HOLIDAY THOUGHTS: Detroit Denby Tech has really struggled this season. Harper Woods has been up and down with their record but they have played a really tough schedule. Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy is off to a strong start but fell to Detroit University Prep and they are one of the favorites in the districts. Eastpointe has been up and down. St. Clair Shores South Lake has been up and down lately. Detroit East English Village Prep has been up and down but they are my darkhorse in this district.

District 59 @ Detroit Pershing

FERNDALE

FERNDALE UNIVERSITY

Detroit Pershing

Detroit Osborn

Warren Lincoln

Hazel Park

PROJECTED MPR: 1. Ferndale, 2. Warren Lincoln

FAVORITE: Ferndale

NEXT: Warren Lincoln

DARKHORSE: Detroit Pershing

PLAYER ON SPOT: Trenton Ruth-Ferndale

THOUGHTS: This is a very interesting district. Talking to Ferndale Coach Juan Rickman during media day, he is not a big fan of this district being held at Detroit Pershing. Hazel Park won six games with a very young team last season. The Vikings have LaMontai Otis, Ajavion Rogers, Mason Pickett, Kaleb Lervik, and Caleb Strother coming back for new Coach C.J Goff. Warren Lincoln won 18 games last season. The Abes have Markus Blackwell, Moses Blackwell, and Timarion Minor coming back for Coach Wydell Henry. Detroit Osborn really struggled. They won three games last season for Coach Anton Bradford. Detroit Pershing won four games with a very young team last season for Coach Shawn Hill. Ferndale University had an up and down year last season. The Eagles have Tyler Stokes, Arthur Stanley, Jeremiah Hill, Dajuan Small, and Pierce Sanders coming back for Coach Josh Nicks. Ferndale won the Division Two State crown for the first time since 1966 last season but they will have a young team that will have three freshmen and a sophomore this season. The Eagles have proven experience in Trenton Ruth, Mishawn Hearford, Julian Cardenas, Markiese Young, Kaden Hudson, and Darien Johnson coming back along with the arrival of Eden Vinyard and Toriano Adams for Rickman. Overall this district looks like it’s a two team race but never count out Ferndale University or Hazel Park by any means.

HOLIDAY THOUGHTS: This district will be a two team battle between the Eagles and the Abes. Both are State ranked and have proven experience to their lineups. Detroit Pershing is now the darkhorse with their start. The Doughboys could be a problem for the top two teams. Ferndale University has been up and down. Detroit Osborn has been playing really good basketball and they are off to a strong start. Hazel Park has been up and down. This should be a very interesting district late into the year. It should be very competitive.

Here are the Districts

https://my.mhsaa.com/Sports/Boys-Basketball/2024-Districts