by orionontv | Mar 18, 2024 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Friday March 15th at 9:00 PM
These are the girls tennis regionals, there are early projections but these are subject to change as the season moves along and this post will be updated as well.
Underlined are projected champions.
Regional 4 at West Bloomfield
WEST BLOOMFIELD
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
FARMINGTON
SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH
Dearborn
Dearborn Edsel Ford
Livonia Churchill
Livonia Stevenson
Wayne Memorial
Westland John Glenn
EARLY PROJECTIONS: Bloomfield Hills, Dearborn Edsel Ford, West Bloomfield.
Regional 5 at Troy
TROY
TROY ATHENS
ROYAL OAK
Dearborn Fordson
Detroit Cass Tech
Fraser
St. Clair Shores Lakeview
Sterling Heights Stevenson
Utica Ford II
EARLY PROJECTIONS: Troy, Troy Athens, Royal Oak.
Regional 6 at TBD
STONEY CREEK
Romeo
Utica Eisenhower
Macomb Dakota
Chippewa Valley
Utica
New Baltimore Anchor Bay
Macomb L’Anse Creuse North
Port Huron Northern
EARLY PROJECTIONS: Port Huron Northern, Utica Eisenhower, Stoney Creek.
Regional 7 at Clarkston
CLARKSTON
LAKE ORION
OXFORD
ROCHESTER
ADAMS
Lapeer
Davison
Waterford
EARLY PROJECTIONS: Clarkston, Adams, Lake Orion.
Regional 12 at North Farmington
NORTH FARMINGTON
GROVES
SEAHOLM
AVONDALE
Fenton
Holly
Milford
Lakeland
Walled Lake Central
EARLY PROJECTIONS: Seaholm, North Farmington, Groves.
Regional 13 at Grosse Pointe North
Grosse Pointe North
BERKLEY
FERNDALE
Grosse Pointe South
Macomb L’Anse Creuse
Port Huron
Sterling Heights
Warren Cousino
Warren Mott
Warren Woods Tower
EARLY PROJECTIONS: Grosse Pointe North, Grosse Pointe South, Berkley.
Regional 20 at Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood
Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood
HARPER WOODS
Birmingham Marian
Center Line
Detroit Country Day
Eastpointe
Lamphere
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s
Redford Union
Warren Fitzgerald
Warren Regina
by orionontv | Mar 11, 2024 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Sunday March 10th at 9:35 AM
The Falcons had to earn this one.
Groves won the Division Two State title by seven points last season. They had to endure a disqualification in the 200 medley only to come back score 245 points holding off arch rival Seaholm and Farmington by a point at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti.
Groves, Seaholm, and Farmington were ranked in that order in the standings.
In Division One at Oakland University, Stoney Creek finished seventh with 107 points, Rochester was eighth with 95.5 points, Oxford was 12th with 64 points, Troy was 16th with 49 points, and West Bloomfield was 26th with 15 points, and Lake Orion was 30th with five points in team scoring. Ann Arbor Pioneer won the meet with 275 points.
The OAA proved again its domination in boys swim and diving with the Falcons repeating as State Champs in Division Two while Seaholm and Farmington both had dominating performances as well each scoring 244 points.
by orionontv | Mar 11, 2024 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Saturday March 9th at 10:00 AM
Here is the early thoughts about the Girls Regional and Boys State Quarterfinals.
Girls Regionals Preview
Region Eight at Milford
CLARKSTON vs Lakeland
Howell vs Grand Blanc
THOUGHTS/INSIGHT: This is shaping up to be a very interesting regional at Milford. Clarkston had to survive an emotional 41-40 district final win over Lake Orion where they trailed all game until the final second. The Wolves will take on a Lakeland team that can play any style. The Eagles are coming off a 24-22 win over Milford in the district finals. It should be a very interesting first game. In the second game, Howell is coming off an emotional 43-42 overtime win over Hartland in the district finals, it’s the second time in two years that the Highlanders have knocked out their bitter rivals from Hartland in the district finals. Grand Blanc has had a solid year, they won 60-38 over Oxford in the district finals but this should be a test for the Bobcats. When looking at this district, Clarkston does have a win over Howell in the regular season and is very familiar with Lakeland but they are not to well familiar with Grand Blanc.
EARLY PROJECTION: I think the winner of Howell and Grand Blanc wins over Clarkston in this regional. The Wolves should have no issue with Lakeland in the regional semifinals because of Elliana Robak and Brooklyn Covert. The lack of size could hurt especially if Clarkston has to play the Bobcats. The Highlanders should be motivated after what happened in Clarkston against them if they were to play them in the regional final. Grand Blanc is well coached and too experienced but Howell is a very tricky game.
Region Seven at Macomb Dakota
STONEY CREEK vs BLOOMFIELD HILLS
Macomb Dakota vs Chippewa Valley
THOUGHTS/INSIGHT: This should be a very interesting regional at Macomb Dakota. Macomb Dakota has to be the favorite on paper but they had to survive New Baltimore Anchor Bay 47-45 in the district finals. Chippewa Valley is riding a ton of confidence after winning 63-53 over Utica in their district final. Stoney Creek has lived on the edge lately which included a 37-32 win over Rochester in their district final. Bloomfield Hills is in their first regional after winning 49-46 over Seaholm in overtime in their district final. Looking at this regional, Macomb Dakota is favored as mentioned because of home court. Stoney Creek beat Bloomfield Hills earlier in the season but both teams are different now. Chippewa Valley is very dangerous in this regional and is playing with nothing to lose and everything to gain.
EARLY PROJECTION: I see Stoney Creek vs Macomb Dakota in the regional final but Bloomfield Hills could beat Stoney Creek in the regional semifinals especially with their size in the interior but Stoney Creek has played a much tougher schedule. Macomb Dakota should get by Chippewa Valley. Home court looks to be the difference in this regional.
Region Six at Birmingham Marian
ROYAL OAK vs Grosse Pointe North
WEST BLOOMFIELD vs Detroit Renaissance
THOUGHTS/INSIGHT: This is shaping up to be a very interesting regional in Birmingham. Both regional semifinal games are very interesting. Royal Oak is coming off their first district title with a 43-41 win at Warren Cousino in the district finals behind a winning layup from Emmy Walden. They will see Grosse Pointe North who is a regional juggernaut. The Norsemen won 56-35 over Roseville in their district final and they feature a proven player in Natalie Babcock. In the second regional semifinal, you have two teams that are very similar in West Bloomfield and Detroit Renaissance. Both teams have proven experience, love to go up and down, and beat you in different ways. The Phoenix is coming off a 60-29 win over Berkley in their district final, they put 91 on Southfield Arts and Tech in the district semifinal while the Lakers won 68-39 over Farmington Hills Mercy in their district final and put 97 on the same Warriors team in the regular season.
EARLY THOUGHTS: I think both games are tight and close. Royal Oak is playing with house money in this regional, with apologies to Coach Brian Sopota and the Ravens, I think Grosse Pointe North’s experience gets them to the regional final. In the second game, it will be high scoring and tight, the Lakers move on because of the Davis sisters. West Bloomfield wins this regional and moves onto the State Quarterfinals.
Region Fifteen at Hazel Park
HARPER WOODS vs Warren Fitzgerald
Birmingham Detroit Country Day vs Detroit Edison
THOUGHTS/INSIGHT: This is shaping up to be a very interesting regional at Hazel Park. Harper Woods had no issue winning 64-14 over Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy in the district finals but they have a really difficult regional ahead of them. The Pioneers play Warren Fitzgerald who is also coming off two blowout wins including a 48-15 blowout win over Center Line in the district finals. The other side is not easy either with Detroit Edison and Birmingham Detroit Country Day. The Yellow Jackets beat Ferndale 67-43 in the district finals. Detroit Edison had a 2-0 forfeit win over Detroit University Prep in their district finals.
EARLY PROJECTION: This should be a Birmingham Detroit Country Day vs Warren Fitzgerald regional final, going with the Yellow Jackets to move on, too much experience.
Boys State Quarterfinal Preview
NORTH FARMINGTON vs River Rouge at Callahan Hall on the campus of Detroit Mercy
THOUGHTS/INSIGHT: The Raiders have been riding an emotional high behind the play of Landon Williams, Tyler Spratt, and Robert Smith. North Farmington needed two free throws from Avi Meltser free throws to beat Warren DeLaSalle 54-53 in the regional finals. Coach Todd Negoshian’s team has been tested in the postseason by Groves and the Pilots. They get to face the Panthers of River Rouge. River Rouge is coming off a dramatic 59-58 win over Dearborn in the district finals where senior Keshawn Fisher hit three free throws after being fouled on a three point attempt to spring the upset of the Pioneers. He had 27 points in their 66-60 upset win over defending Division One State Champion Detroit Cass Tech in the regional semifinals and was a huge catalyst in their regional final win over Brownstown Woodhaven. It should be very interesting to see how Negoshian plays Fisher and the Panthers in this matchup at Detroit Mercy. Whoever wins will see Muskegon or Zeeland West at the Breslin Center on Friday.
EARLY PROJECTION: I don’t think River Rouge has seen the pressure that North Farmington will put on them in this tournament. I think Negoshian gets the Raiders to the Breslin Center.
by orionontv | Mar 4, 2024 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Friday March 1st at 5:30 PM
Here is the final top 23 rankings heading into the postseason.
- West Bloomfield (20-1): Lakers are ready for the postseason.
- Stoney Creek (16-5): Cougars are still vulnerable despite having home court this postseason.
- Clarkston (16-6): Wolves have won seven of nine with half of those without Elliana Robak.
- Lake Orion (14-8): Dragons have won six of seven is a great sign heading into the postseason.
- Berkley (17-5): Bears having their best season in years.
- Ferndale (16-3): Eagles are a team that could give anyone in their district problems.
- Oxford (10-11): Wildcats could get Sophia Raab back which could be huge.
- Bloomfield Hills (11-9): Blackhawks are playing their best basketball, winning four straight.
- Troy (14-8): Colts have top seed but they are still vulnerable in the postseason.
- Seaholm (14-8): Maples have been an odd team to figure out as of late.
- Royal Oak (16-6): Ravens have had a strong week, big test awaits in the postseason.
- Rochester (8-14): Falcons have a great chance to do some damage in the postseason.
- Groves (8-13): Falcons are 4-2 in their last six games heading into the postseason.
- Southfield Arts and Tech (12-9): Warriors defense is a serious concern in the postseason.
- Troy Athens (9-13): Red Hawks have been trending downward heading into the postseason.
- Adams (6-16): Highlanders are better than their record indicates.
- Harper Woods (8-11): Could the Pioneers be prone to an upset???
- Avondale (8-14): Yellow Jackets despite injuries are more than capable of pulling an upset.
- North Farmington (11-11): Raiders went 4-11 since a 7-0 start.
- Oak Park (5-12): Knights offensive issues are a big concern in the postseason.
- Pontiac (5-15): Phoenix close out the season with more wins than last season.
- Farmington (1-20): Falcons looked better against Garden City.
- Ferndale University (0-17): It has been a challenging year for the Eagles.
by orionontv | Mar 4, 2024 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Saturday March 2nd at 9:10 AM
The city of Rochester has enjoyed years of success holding the Division One or Class A State Crown in cheerleading.
Stoney Creek who hasn’t won the Division One State crown since 2019 took home this season’s title scoring 792.98. Adams who had a three year run as the Division One State Champion was second with 791.56, and powerhouse Rochester was third with 791.36.
The Cougars won the first two rounds while the Highlanders won the third round. Stoney Creek’s first two round scores was just enough to hold off the Highlanders and Falcons earning their first State crown in five years.
The Division One State crown still lives in Rochester, and it might be there for a long while.
by orionontv | Mar 4, 2024 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Saturday March 2nd at 9:20 PM
Here is the Boys Basketball Regional Preview for the three remaining OAA teams left in Boys Basketball.
Region 7 @ Milford
CLARKSTON vs Grand Blanc
Milford vs Orchard Lake St. Marys
THOUGHTS: This is shaping up to be a very interesting regional. It could most likely be Orchard Lake St. Marys against Grand Blanc in the regional final but Clarkston and Milford might have other plans. The Mavericks don’t match up well with the Eaglets based on talent but they have home court and if they can slow things down and play their style then who knows what will happen in that game. The Wolves match the Bobcats pretty well even though Grand Blanc had a slow start to the season but have picked things up lately. Clarkston is coming off a hard earned district crown after having to win three games in five days which is great for Coach Tim Waslik. Both games are going to be very interesting.
PREDICTION: I see Orchard Lake St. Marys getting by Milford but Clarkston and Grand Blanc could be very tight. The Wolves have found ways to survive close and tight games lately but the Bobcats are a solid team and are riding with a ton of confidence. Either way I don’t see any of the three teams getting by the Eaglets but Clarkston or Grand Blanc could give them a game in the regional finals.
Region 6 @ Detroit Renaissance
NORTH FARMINGTON vs GROVES
Warren De LaSalle vs Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit
THOUGHTS: There is a ton of storylines heading into this regional. North Farmington has a great chance at this regional pending if they can get by a very good Groves team. The Falcons are starting to get healthy again which is a great sign for Coach Marc West. The Raiders won both meetings over the Falcons but it’s always hard to beat a team three times in a season. Whoever wins that game will play a perennial Catholic League program in Warren De LaSalle or Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit. The Cubs and the Pilots split their two regular season meetings.
PREDICTION: I see North Farmington coming out of this regional. The Raiders will have to likely see officials they aren’t familiar with like they did last season when they fell to Orchard Lake St. Marys in the regional finals. I think Coach Todd Negoshan will have his team and coaches more prepared this time around.
