by orionontv | Jun 26, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Tuesday June 20th at 9:20 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 60 @ Harper Woods Chandler Park
HARPER WOODS
Harper Woods Chandler Park
Eastpointe
Detroit Denby Tech
Detroit East English Village Prep
PROJECTED MPR: 1. Harper Woods, 2. Harper Woods Chandler Park
FAVORITE: Harper Woods
NEXT: Harper Woods Chandler Park
DARKHORSE: Detroit East English Village Prep
PLAYER ON SPOT: Clearia Peterson-Harper Woods
THOUGHTS: This district should be much easier for the Pioneers going from Division One to Division Two this season. The Pioneers won 12 games last season and have Clearia Peterson, Laniaya West, Mikyra Kelly, Tamina Montgomery, Autumn Trotter, and Kendall Kelsey coming back for Coach Anthony Brown. Detroit East English Village Prep won 13 games last season for Coach Michelle Goodwin. Detroit Denby really struggled last season and will have a new coach. Eastpointe won four games last season for Coach Deon Woods. Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy won 14 games last season for Coach Omar Ahart. This district looks like it should be a two team race between the Pioneers and the Eagles but Detroit East English Village Prep is a sleeper in this district.
District 58 @ TBA
FERNDALE
FERNDALE UNIVERSITY
Birmingham Detroit Country Day
Detroit Lincoln King Academy
Detroit Henry Ford
PROJECTED MPR: 1. Birmingham Detroit Country Day, 2. Ferndale
FAVORITE: Birmingham Detroit Country Day
NEXT: Ferndale
DARKHORSE: Ferndale University
PLAYER ON SPOT: Ariyanna Wiggins-Birmingham Detroit Country Day
THOUGHTS: This is not a really strong district on paper. Birmingham Detroit Country Day won 18 games last season and is the favorite in this district. The Yellow Jackets have Ariyanna Wiggins, Ayaana Hai, Julia Younes, Sadie Rifkin, Jaidyn Elam, Peja Liles, Emma Arico, Jayla Jackson, and Naiya Krispin coming back for Coach Amber Deane. Detroit Henry Ford went from Division One to Division Two. The Trojans won four games for Coach Chevelle O’Brien last season. Detroit Lincoln King won six games for Coach Eric Boyles last season. Ferndale made a ton of strides winning eight games last season. The Eagles have Trinity Bennett, Jada Buchanan, Madiah Clark, Alia Herron, Ja’Nyia Larry,Jai’la Martin, Isabella Mendoza, and Jayla Pouncy coming back for Coach Keith Paris. Ferndale University really struggled last season. The Eagles have Laressa Brogdon, Lemia Butler, Terrionna Davis, Brooklynn Gray, Tyla Jacon-Parish, JonNae Kitchen, Kayla Lewis, Nakyra Montgomery, and Leanna Spencer coming back for Coach Brianna Rowe. This district overall looks like its Birmingham Detroit Country Day’s district to lose.
District 32 @ Grand Blanc
OXFORD
Davison
Grand Blanc
Lapeer
Holly
PROJECTED MPR: 1. Grand Blanc, 2. Oxford
FAVORITE: Oxford
NEXT: Grand Blanc
DARKHORSE: Davison
PLAYER ON SPOT: Alison Hufsteddler-Oxford
THOUGHTS: This district might be the best chance for Oxford to make some noise. The Wildcats are in the Red this season and have proven talent in Peyton Ritcher, Allison Hufsteddler, Sophia Rabb, Emma Beggs, Braydee Elling, and Lexi Yankee coming back for Coach Rachel Bryer. Grand Blanc has beaten the Wildcats the last three years in the postseason. The Bobcats have Chelsea Bishop, Lauren Piscopink, Raven McQueen, and Mayla Brown coming back for a new coach who has not been named yet. Davison really struggled winning seven games last season. The Cardinals have Paige Allis, Mayae Carradine, Grace Little, Lillian Kish, Gracie Wright, Marionna Dixon, Samantha Beller, Brooke Pizzala, and Lily Morey coming back for Coach Lauhnna McMahan. Lapeer won seven games last season. The Lightning have Sephora Miller, Madison White, Lilly Young, Carley Hoover, Hannah Dennis, Alexis Norman, and Madison Spanicciatti coming back for Coach Evan Bell. Holly really struggled winning three games last season. The Bronchos have Mallory Hall and Adel Hoglund coming back for Coach Ben Varner. Overall this district looks like a two maybe three team district but this could be the Wildcats best chance as mentioned.
District 29 @ Waterford Mott
LAKE ORION
CLARKSTON
PONTIAC
Waterford Kettering
Waterford Mott
PROJECTED MPR: 1. Clarkston, 2. Lake Orion
FAVORITE: Clarkston
NEXT: Lake Orion
DARKHORSE: No One
PLAYER ON SPOT: Izzy Wotlinski-Lake Orion
THOUGHTS: This is the same district as last season when Lake Orion won at Clarkston. Waterford Kettering really struggled last season. The Captains have Avery Topinka, Elle Dropps, Lourdes Hale, Jaiden Brady, Isabella Labo, Kylee Nickerson, and Nora Hernandez coming back for Coach Eric Porter. Waterford Mott will be a very interesting team. The Corsairs have Marissa Trevino, Karli Koskinen, Kate Saunders, Natalia Santia, Ahmya Gulley, and Julianna Lemus coming back for new coach Andy Wellman. Pontiac was very young last season. The Phoenix should be better for Coach Corray Lett. Clarkston is a very interesting team with some proven talent. The Wolves have Elliana Robak, Emily Valencia, Claire Walker, Marley Mazur, Kierra Zorski, Lauren Fishtaller, Ellery Hernandez, and Ella Morgner coming back for Coach Aaron Goodnough. Lake Orion lost a ton of proven experience from last season. The Dragons have Izzy Wotlinski, Lexi Stroshein, Alana McGinnis, Charlotte Peplowski, and Ryan Pawlacyzk coming back for Coach Bob Brydges. Overall not a ton of changes, this district still looks like it should be a blue and gold vs green and white district final.
District 28 @ Troy Athens
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
TROY
TROY ATHENS
AVONDALE
SEAHOLM
PROJECTED MPR: 1. Bloomfield Hills, 2. Avondale
FAVORITE: Bloomfield Hills
NEXT: Avondale
DARKHORSE: Seaholm
PLAYER ON SPOT: Nevaeh Wood-Avondale
THOUGHTS: This is a wide open district at Troy Athens. Bloomfield Hills has been rising each year winning the Blue last season. This might be the best chance for the Blackhawks to win a district. They have Ruby Smith, Ashley Forner, Brianna Young, and Michelle Barnett coming back for Coach Kristen Massey. Troy was very young last season. The Colts have Diamond Prince, Regan Zeiter, Olivia Sprangler, and Carly Higginbottom coming back for a new coach. Avondale was very young last season but made a splash this offseason with Neveah Wood transferring from Oxford. The Yellow Jackets have Madison Manyweathers, Wood, Trenitee Carroll, Sasha McClellan, Khalia Bradley, and Arielle Dudley coming back for Coach Roy Christmon. Troy Athens has been an up and down team. The Red Hawks have Abby Malone, Katy Keller, Ava Laurer, Kayci Mercier, and Alex Link coming back for Coach Stacie Klumpp. Seaholm has been a team that has had their ups and downs. The Maples have a ton of proven experience in Mary Wiltgen, Mary Gumbis, Clara Guffey, Addy Kitzman, Emma Weber, Taylor Hartwig, and Addy Flynn coming back for Coach Shay Manchester. Overall this is a wide open district, anyone can take this district that is for sure.
District 27 @ Adams
ADAMS
STONEY CREEK
ROCHESTER
Romeo
Utica Eisenhower
PROJECTED MPR: 1. Rochester, 2. Stoney Creek
FAVORITE: Stoney Creek
NEXT: Rochester
DARKHORSE: Utica Eisenhower
PLAYER ON SPOT: Merrick Schlawbach-Stoney Creek
THOUGHTS: This district should be very interesting when looking at the teams. It is the same as last season when Rochester won the crown. Utica Eisenhower has Devyn Raymond, Brooke Nicholson, Ava Gojcaj, Mariana Stojcevski, Gabriella Gojcaj, Paige Hays, Abby Nezich, and Abby Klaft coming back for Coach Cliff Piper. Romeo won 12 games last season. The Bulldogs have Clare Carmody, Abigail Ganfield, Lydia Hall, Anna Iwanicki, Jacqueline LeBlanc, Mya Muschong, Emily Reynolds, and Allison Schoenherr coming back for Coach Ronald LeBlanc. Adams had a very young team last season. The Highlanders have a ton of proven experience in Samantha Blaine, Morgan McPherson, Layla Tomezak, and Faith Zolhus coming back for Coach Joe Malburg. Rochester is coming off a district crown. The Falcons have Alice Max, Kylie Robinson, and Lucy Cook for Coach Bill Thurston. Stoney Creek has been a contender each year in this district and this season is no other. The Cougars have Emily Flynn, Sarah LaPrarie, Merrick Schlawbach, and Izzy Ivezaj coming back for Coach Kellen James. Overall the Falcons are the slight favorite because of Max and Robinson but the Cougars are right there as well as the Eagles but never count out the Highlanders or the Bulldogs by any means in this district.
District 23 @ TBA
GROVES
ROYAL OAK
Warren Cousino
Warren Mott
Sterling Heights
PROJECTED MPR: 1. Warren Cousino, 2. Royal Oak
FAVORITE: Warren Cousino
NEXT: Royal Oak
DARKHORSE: Groves
PLAYER ON SPOT: Jacey Roy-Groves
THOUGHTS: This is a very interesting district which has a ton of different dynamics. Warren Cousino won 14 games last season. The Patriots have DeMaya Asberry, Bailey Bainbridge, Laela Bendert, Sara Kozel, Nina Williamson, Alex Pfeiffer, Marleen Marooki, and Nevaeh Porter coming back for Coach Amy Mitchell. Warren Mott won 11 games last season. The Marauders have Leajah Ferguson, Claira Taylor, Addison Brown, and Conamora Ndana coming back for Coach Patrick Schmidt. Sterling Heights won 12 games last season for Coach Michael Gurney. Groves is a very interesting team. The Falcons have Jacey Roy, Neveah Cochran-McCay, Cameron Little, and Cira Racco coming back for Coach Alison Hidey. Royal Oak may be the most dangerous team in this district. The Ravens have Emilee Austin, Meghan Hahn, Maddie Lawerence, Anna Waterstredt, Lydia Dickens, and Lucy Freytag coming back for Coach Brian Sopota. This should be a very interesting district to watch that is for sure.
District 22 @ Farmington Hills Mercy
FARMINGTON
NORTH FARMINGTON
WEST BLOOMFIELD
Farmington Hills Mercy
Birmingham Marian
PROJECTED MPR: 1. West Bloomfield, 2. Farmington Hills Mercy
FAVORITE: West Bloomfield
NEXT: Farmington Hills Mercy
DARKHORSE: Birmingham Marian
PLAYER ON SPOT: Sheridan Beal-West Bloomfield
THOUGHTS: This district is deemed the “Group of Death” with three proven schools that are in this district. West Bloomfield is a slight favorite in this district and I mean slight very lightly. The Lakers have Kendall Hendrix, Sheridan Beal, Destiny Washington, Ava Lord, Gabrielle Hale, Summer Davis and Indya Davis coming back for Coach Darrin McAllister. Farmington Hills Mercy is going to be a serious player in this district after winning 22 games last season. The Marlins have Aizlyn Albanese, Owynn Evans, Emily Walker, Allison Smiley, Ava Lorriane, Jessica Heath, and Abby Bores coming back for Coach Gary Morris. It was un Birmingham Marian like last season winning 10 games but they won a district. The Mustangs should be much better this season. They have Mackenzie Swanson, Molly McLeod, Ella Swanson, Charlie Bingham, Charlotte Quaine, Katelyn Morgan, Scarlett Bouschet, Abby Landa, Annalisa Bortolotti, and Ruby Jansen coming back for Coach Michelle Lindsey. Farmington is a very interesting team with EdiMari King, Anna Tornachuk, and Jayla Silver coming back for Coach Laura Guzman. North Farmington is in complete rebuild mode. The Raiders have Hannah Hart and Asiyah Jihad coming back for new Coach Michael Allin. Three teams have a shot to win this district as mentioned. Whoever wins this district would have earned it.
District 21 @ TBA
BERKLEY
OAK PARK
SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH
Detroit Renaissance
Detroit Mumford
Redford Thurston
PROJECTED MPR: 1. Detroit Renaissance, 2. Southfield Arts and Tech
FAVORITE: Detroit Renaissance
NEXT: Southfield Arts and Tech
DARKHORSE: Berkley
PLAYER ON SPOT: Maeve Nolan-Berkley
THOUGHTS: This district looks very interesting on paper. Detroit Renaissance is the early favorite because they went to the Division One Final Four last season. The Phoenix have the majority of their roster in Alehia Wade, Anaya Hardy, Harmonie Bolton, Nyana Pharr, Victoria Gambles, Makayla Johnson, Christian Sanders, Sterling Gooden, Jaebrian Autry, Nevaeh Otis, Imani Johnson, and Marhea Bradshaw coming back for Coach DeShawn Wood. Detroit Mumford won 10 games last season for Coach Kareem Hogan. Redford Thurston won nine games last season but they will have a new coach this season. Oak Park was up and down last season. The Knights should have some more experience for Coach Chantelle Corson. Southfield Arts and Tech has been very good offensively but just awful defensibly. The Warriors have some proven talent in Kamara Paige, Christen Banks, Jordan Ushery, and Jamyra Fritz coming back. Berkley has a ton of proven experience after a very tough year last season. The Bears have Avery Wintergarden, Maeve Nolan, Haley Kirkwood, Katelin Sillis, Kate McAllister, and Nadia Watt for new Coach Clay Shaver. Early on, this district looks like it’s Detroit Renaissance’s but Berkley and Southfield Arts and Tech could have says and maybe Detroit Mumford although it’s not likely with the Mustangs.
Here is the districts
https://my.mhsaa.com/Sports/Girls-Basketball/2024-Districts
by orionontv | Jun 26, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Tuesday June 20th at 9:15 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. Oak Park, 2. Groves
FAVORITE: Oak Park
NEXT: Groves
DARKHORSE: Berkley
PLAYER ON SPOT: Josh Gibson-Groves
THOUGHTS: This is shaping up to be a very interesting district. Warren Mott won two games last season for Coach Greg Tilney. Royal Oak was up and down last season. The Ravens have Nick Hoffman and Camden Clark coming back for Coach Aaron Smith. Berkley is a very interesting team. The Bears have Donovan Powell and Michael Onuoha coming back for Coach Joe Sermo. Oak Park is not in a district with Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit in there. The Knights have Geon Hutchins coming back for Coach Durrand Sheppard. Groves had a great regular season sharing the White with West Bloomfield but fell to arch rival Seaholm in the first round. The Falcons have John Simpson, Josh Gibson, Brody Tushman, Landon McKinney, and Elijah Yelder coming back for Coach Marc West. This district is shaping up to be a Knights/Falcons district final but can’t count out the Ravens or Bears by any means.
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: Farmington
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. Farmington should be much improved this season. The Falcons have Greg Grays, Quintez Saltler, Darrell Cochrane, and Anthony Bailey coming back for Coach Derrick McDowell. North Farmington has to replace some talent from last season. The Raiders have Tyler Spratt, Landon Williams, and Avi Melster coming back along with Walled Lake Western transfer Dylan 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.
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: Lakeland
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 won 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 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.
District 27 @ Grand Blanc
OXFORD
Davison
Grand Blanc
Holly
Lapeer
PROJECTED MPR: 1. Grand Blanc, 2. Davison
FAVORITE: Grand Blanc
NEXT: Davison
DARKHORSE: Holly
PLAYER ON SPOT: Dominic Cassisse-Oxford
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 coming back for new coach Doreace Martin. Lapeer really struggled last season going winless. 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 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, Dominic Cassisse, 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.
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: Kalieb Osbourne-Waterford Mott
THOUGHTS: This is going to be a very tough district in Waterford. Waterford Mott added a ton of transfers in the offseason despite winning 16 games last season. The Corsairs have Kalieb Osbourne, Jordan White, Jacoby Manyweathers, Gavin Ort, Geno Sheets, Jaiden Price, Greg White, Devon Lewis, Marlone Reed, and Isreal Anthony along with Damari Stevens and Max Jansenvanvuren coming back 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, and Nathan 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 coming in for new coach Andrew Myers. Avondale really struggled last season. The Yellow Jackets have DJ Moody, Dequarius White, Anthony Burton, and Justin Sykes coming back for new Coach Jaret Thomas. Lake Orion was very competitive last season winning 12 games. The Dragons have Gabe Scott, Nick Galben, Ethan Sharkey, Hayden Armstrong, Quay Fly, and Sam Blakeley coming back for Coach Jose Andreadas. Clarkston won 12 games last season. The Wolves have Aidan Barnes, Brady Beck, Cole Charter, Peyton Fitzsimmons, John Kaul, Brycen Lefief, Matthew Pfiger, Zach Scherler, and Matthew Taverna coming back for Coach Tim Waslik. It is unknown if Brady Kosin or Desman Stephens will play this season. This district is very tough as mentioned. The Wolves are the favorite but never count out the Corsairs, Dragons, Yellow Jackets, or Phoenix.
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 have TJ Yaldo, Lohan Hamama, Luke Salkowski, Evan Koph, Warren Marshall, Quincy Twymon, Jeremiah Caffey, David Williams, Cash Lawson, Chase Van Ameyde, and Max Jansenvanvuren coming back. They added Elijah Williams from Arizona and Trevor Smith transferred in from Okemos 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 Drew Wilson and Brandon Newland coming back for Coach Brian Canfield. Troy Athens should be in the mix as well. The Red Hawks have Emmanuel Robinson, Hayden Crum, 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 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.
District 30 @ Adams
ADAMS
STONEY CREEK
ROCHESTER
Utica Eisenhower
Utica
Romeo
PROJECTED MPR: 1. Utica Eisenhower, 2. Adams
FAVORITE: Utica Eisenhower
NEXT: Adams
DARKHORSE: Stoney Creek
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, Logan Kim, 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 Cheiftans aren’t bad either. It’s really hard to trust the Bulldogs come postseason time.
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, 2. St. Clair Shores South Lake
FAVORITE: Harper Woods
NEXT: Harper Woods Chandler Park
DARKHORSE: Detroit Denby Tech
PLAYER ON SPOT: Julian Young-Harper Woods
THOUGHTS: There are a ton of storylines in this district. 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, 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.
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: Ferndale University
PLAYER ON SPOT: Trenton Ruth-Ferndale
THOUGHTS: This is a very interesting district. Hazel Park won six games 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 Taiwan Johnson, Derrick Murray, Kody Pippen, and Pierce Sanders coming back for Coach Josh Nicks. Ferndale won the Division Two State crown last season. The Eagles have Trenton Ruth, Mishawn Hearford, Julian Cardenas, Markiese Young, Kaden Hudson, and Darien Johnson coming back for Coach Juan Rickman. Overall this district looks like it’s a two team race but never count out Ferndale University or Hazel Park by any means.
Here are the Districts
https://my.mhsaa.com/Sports/Boys-Basketball/2024-Districts
by orionontv | Jun 12, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Tuesday June 6th at 9:50 PM
Updated Tuesday June 6th at 9:55 PM
Adams will have a new boys basketball coach next winter.
The Highlanders named Isaiah Novak as their new Boys Varsity Basketball Coach. Novak takes over for Jaret Thomas whom stepped down and is now coaching at Avondale.
“Adams is happy to welcome Isaiah Novak as the next head coach of the Boys Basketball program. He brings 13 years of experience at the high school and JUCO (junior college) level. He is an educator and coach who believes if you do things right, good things will happen” Adams Athletics said on Twitter.
“I’m extremely blessed for this opportunity to work with such an amazing Rochester Hills community. We will work hard to win the right way and make our community proud, if you do things right, good things will happen” Novak said in a tweet.
Novak coached at Madison Heights Lamphere for two years from 2021-2023. He went 20-23 in his two years with the program. The Rams went 11-12 and had a stretch where they went 3-8 but went 8-4 to close out the season. Madison Heights Lamphere fell to Birmingham Detroit Country Day 65-42 in the first round last season.
Prior to being at Madison Heights Lamphere, Novak does have a Catholic League background. He is a 2005 alumni at Madison Heights Bishop Foley. He coached at Madison Heights Bishop Foley from 2014-2016 to a 21-24 record. Novak was at Birmingham Brother Rice as the program’s junior varsity coach under Coach Rick Palmer.
Novak takes over a program that saw a ton of success. Adams won their second straight district crown and their first regional crown in school history. They fell to Grand Blanc in the Division One State Quarterfinals last season.
Novak will have a very difficult task ahead of him. He will have a program that is in one of the toughest divisions in the State in the Red with West Bloomfield, Groves, Ferndale, Clarkston, Oak Park, and North Farmington.
Adams has two very talented proven guards in Peter Karsaisis and William Gee coming back and also program strength is very strong. The question is can Novak build on the success that Thomas left???
Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest on this developing story.
Here is the tweet confirming the hire.
https://twitter.com/athletics_adams/status/1666258972720996354
Novak tweet.
https://twitter.com/coach_novak11/status/1666260569547059201
