Here are some thoughts on each team for the week. This will also be on the website https://aroundtheoaa.weebly.com/ as well
Avondale: The Yellow Jackets are off to a strong start early in the season winning 43-34 over Pontiac and 73-47 over Flint Standard are great wins but the game against Pontiac despite winning 43-34 has me concerned a bit about Avondale. The Yellow Jackets are very athletic but there are some questions that Coach Aaron Fox and his team need to address. If they can address this then Avondale will be fine. They have Detroit University Prep and West Bloomfield looming next week.
Clarkston: The Wolves look like they are the most complete team to start this early season. Clarkston got two wins over Lake Orion (77-49) and Adams (68-44.) The Wolves have a deep team and a ton of proven shooters just like the days of legendary coach Dan Fife. Clarkston has been improving each year under Coach Tim Wasilk but can they sustain is the key going forward. They have Stoney Creek and Ferndale looming next week.
Ferndale: The Eagles have been used to playing very tough schedules and this week has been no different for Coach Juan Rickman’s team. Ferndale was blown out 89-57 by Birmingham Brother Rice and then blew out River Rouge 77-49. Eden Vinyard has been the star for the Eagles but they need others like Torrino Adams and others to step up. Ferndale has Clarkston, Ohio Reynoldsburg, and Warren Lincoln looming this week.
West Bloomfield: The Lakers defense could be a storyline to watch this season. It haunted them again allowing 84 points in a 84-72 loss to Detroit University Prep. Coach Arnette Jordan needs to shore the defense up and quickly. West Bloomfield will have three games with Birmingham Detroit Country Day, Avondale, and Detroit Cass Tech looming this week.
Groves: The Falcons had a very interesting week. Groves fell 54-53 to Oxford then bounced back and beat Warren DeLaSalle 59-54 and Imlay City 74-60. The Falcons young talent has managed to make a ton of strides despite this being a rebuilding year for Coach Marc West. I don’t know how this will sustain in the Red but it’s a start for Groves. They have two very tough matchups in Bloomfield Hills and North Farmington looming next week.
North Farmington: The Raiders are off to a strong start in their final season in the OAA winning 62-47 over Davison and 41-35 over Plymouth Canton. North Farmington has relied on their tough defense which has always been there for new coach Pete Mantyla. The Raiders have Detroit University Prep and Groves looming next week.
Farmington: It’s really hard to judge the Falcons when they haven’t reported their score with Ann Arbor Pioneer yet. Farmington has the athletes to be competitive in the Red but there are still some questions going forward for Coach Byron Johnson. They have Detroit University Prep and Southfield Arts and Tech looming next week.
Waterford Mott: The Corsairs look like they haven’t missed a beat since getting to the regional final last season. Waterford Mott won two games over Stoney Creek 63-53 and 63-49 over Northville. The Corsairs have used their balance to win games which is a winning formula for Coach Jeff Jayson and his team going forward. Waterford Mott has Hartland and Waterford Kettering looming next week.
Lake Orion: The Dragons had an up and down week. They fell 77-49 to Clarkston behind turnovers and loss of identity. Lake Orion got back their identity with a stunning 72-53 win over Davison. When the Dragons play team ball that is where they are at their most dangerous which Coach Jose Andrades knows and makes him very happy. Lake Orion has two tough games with Novi and Plymouth Salem looming next week.
Adams: The Highlanders are off to a rough start but to their defense in their two losses they were to good teams (Clarkston 68-44, Macomb Dakota 60-53.) The problem for Coach Isiah Novak’s team has been when Cannon Flynn is not on the floor, they tend to struggle when he is not. Adams needs to address this issue, they have the shooters but they need to find that Robin to the Flynn Batman if they want to find success this season. The Highlanders have Seaholm and Royal Oak looming next week.
Stoney Creek: The Cougars have found themselves a sense of confidence and hope under new coach Marko Tomich. Stoney Creek used their balance in a 69-55 win over Utica Eisenhower despite falling 63-53 to Waterford Mott but they were tied at half and hung in there throughout that game. Quentin Rangi, Brodie Telegdas, and Anthony Arlinghaus have been the story to their early success. It’s clear the Cougars are much improved and happier under Tomich but there are still some dangers, warnings, and concerns. It’s almost like this team and Tomich reminds me of the book Star Wars Revenge of the Sith by Matthew Stover and the movie but for now Stoney Creek has a lot of confidence from Tomich’s first win but the road gets tougher. They have Clarkston and Utica looming next week.
Rochester: The Falcons are off to a strong start with three impressive wins (St. Clair Shores Lakeview (73-40), Utica (66-41), Chippewa Valley (66-46.) Rochester has gotten contributions from multiple players like Luke Lower, Logan Pleasent, Ben Bissett, and Anthony Chircho among others but the play of Nate Tandy fits this team very well, he’s an engine and a machine when on the court. What makes Coach Nick Evola very happy is the Falcons play team ball. This is a style that makes most teams very dangerous and Rochester is one of those teams that plays this style. Rochester and their fans know that there will be more tough teams ahead. They have Lapeer and Troy Athens looming next week.
Oxford: The Wildcats had to replace a ton of talent from last season but they are off to a 2-0 start after surviving Groves 54-53 and had a strong defensive effort winning 34-15 over Fraser. Cade Lindamood has been a big addition for Coach Joe Fedorichik and they’ve gotten timely play from Grayson Boyle and Brody Casper while Brennan Elling is well Brennan Elling. Oxford has some concerns going forward despite the start, can they sustain this form of defense is the biggest one that Wildcats fans have to address. They have Troy Athens, Sterling Heights Stevenson, and Utica Eisenhower looming with two of those being tough games next week.
Pontiac: The Phoenix had a tough week that saw a tough 43-34 loss to arch rival Avondale but an impressive 69-61 win over Fenton. Pontiac has been going through some growing pains with the freshmen they have on the roster but for Coach Dion Harris this is a start to building something special in Pontiac. It’s all about program strength for the Phoenix. They have Ferndale University and Lansing Eastern looming next week.
Bloomfield Hills: The Black Hawks are off to a strong start with a 60-49 win over Walled Lake Western along with a 61-32 blowout of Grosse Pointe North. DaRon Mason has been on fire this early season and all summer along with Carter Canfield and others for Coach Brian Canfield. They are clicking with Groves and Warren Woods Tower looming next week.
Troy: The Colts overcame a split this week winning 64-31 over Waterford Kettering but fell 63-55 to Utica. Troy lost Will DeArmit to an ankle injury but Harmon Orioum carried the slack with 27 points in the loss to Utica. The Colts were scrappy and they changed defenses with their press. Orioum and Jeffries played well along with Blake Kupier. Coach Gary Fralick’s team will be fine. They have Harper Woods and Madison Heights Lamphere looming next week.
Troy Athens: The Red Hawks had a strong week which had two big wins and a heartbreaking loss. Troy Athens fell 61-60 to Macomb L’Anse Creuse North on a buzzer beater. They got wins over Ferndale University (64-26) and Berkley (61-44.) Coach Mitchell Vercellino’s team will be fine despite the tough loss. The Red Hawks are tall and very lengthy which should help going forward. They have Oxford and Rochester looming next week.
Royal Oak: The Ravens are off to a strong start but they have won both games by a combined nine points (Holly 67-59, Madison Heights Lamphere 53-52.) For Coach Aaron Smith they are taking care of business like the Detroit Pistons have done but they have done things the hard way. We’ll know a lot about Royal Oak when they have Walled Lake Western and Adams looming next week.
Seaholm: The Maples had a great week winning two games over Berkley (53-42) and South Lyon (45-23) but both teams are very young teams that are going through tough rebuilds. It’s a great start for Coach Spenser Adams and company but they need a test down the line which they will get in the future. Seaholm will be tested with Adams and South Lyon East looming next week.
Waterford Kettering: The Captains had a bit of both wins and losses this week which should help their confidence heading into the season. Waterford Kettering won 63-53 over North Branch but fell 64-31 to Troy. The Captains are in a very interesting spot for Coach Will Campbell where they have Lapeer and Waterford Mott looming next week.
Harper Woods: The Pioneers haven’t played a game yet but they will have two games with Troy and Westfield Prep looming next week for Coach TaJuan Porter.
Oak Park: The Knights haven’t played a game yet but they will have two games with Melvindale and Center Line looming next week for Coach Durrand Sheppard.
Southfield Arts and Tech: The Warriors have toughen their non conference schedule which has seen ups which was a 58-47 win over Detroit East English Village Prep and the lows a 77-56 loss to Plymouth Canton. It is know doubt under Coach Josh Lyle, Southfield Arts and Tech is heading in the right direction. They have Farmington and Detroit Pershing looming next week.
Ferndale University: The Eagles have been struggling to score scoring 56 points in two games in both losses to Detroit East English Village Prep and Troy Athens. Ferndale University is going through a tough transition period right now for Coach Antwan Bradford. They have two tough games with Pontiac and Center Line Prep looming next week.
Berkley: There is no doubt the Bears are a very young team which was shown in their 53-42 loss to Seaholm and 61-44 loss to Troy Athens. It’s going to take time for Coach James McCullough to get his style of play into Berkley. They have Detroit Jalen Rose Academy, Madison Heights Bishop Foley, and Inkster American International Academy looming next week.
