by orionontv | May 23, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Sunday May 14th at 11:30 PM
Here is my insight and preview for the girls lacrosse regionals.
Regional 3 at Troy Athens
Grosse Pointe North vs. Grosse Pointe South
Utica Ford II vs. TROY
BIRMINGHAM vs. WEST BLOOMFIELD
Grosse Pointe North/Grosse Pointe South vs. BLOOMFIELD HILLS
M-1 (ROYAL OAK/BERKLEY) vs. Utica Eisenhower
Utica Ford/TROY vs. TROY ATHENS
BIRMINGHAM/WEST BLOOMFIELD vs. Chippewa Valley
EARLY PICKS: This regional has Birmingham vs Bloomfield Hills written all over it. Bloomfield Hills beat Birmingham earlier in the season. The regional semifinals could be very interesting with the Bulldogs having a really tough path having to see Chippewa Valley and then Troy Athens in the second round and semifinals respectively. The Blackhawks have the much better draw to get to the regional finals. I like Bloomfield Hills over Birmingham in this matchup.
Regional 4 at Oxford
Midland vs. Grand Blanc
Fenton vs. OXFORD
Davison vs. Howell
CLARKSTON vs. Waterford
Midland/Grand Blanc vs. Hartland
Fenton/OXFORD vs. ROCHESTER
Davison/Howell vs. LAKE ORION
CLARKSTON/Waterford vs. White Lake
EARLY PICKS: Lake Orion has a great draw to get to the regional finals. They will have to get by Hartland which will be a tough matchup but Midland could give the Eagles some trouble in the second round but it’s not likely. I think Hartland moves on over the Dragons.
Regional 6 at Farmington
FARMINGTON vs. Farmington Hills Mercy
Temperance Bedford vs. Saline
Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard vs. Wixom St. Catherine Sienna
FARMINGTON/Mercy vs. Dearborn Divine Child
NORTH FARMINGTON vs. Tecumseh
Temperance Bedford/Saline vs. Ann Arbor Skyline
Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard/Wixom St. Catherine Sienna vs. Dexter
EARLY PICKS: This looks to be a very interesting regional. Dearborn Divine Child, Ann Arbor Skyline, and Dexter will be very tough outs. Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard has the best chance of upsetting the top three seeds. I think that the Falcons have the best chance to move onto the state semifinals.
Regional 7 at Adams
Birmingham Marian vs. Grosse Pointe Woods
Walled Lake Northern vs. ADAMS
AVONDALE vs. Warren Regina
Birmingham Marian/Grosse Pointe Woods vs. Detroit Country Day
STONEY CREEK vs. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
Walled Lake Northern/ADAMS vs. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kinswood
AVONDALE/Warren Regina vs. Bloomfield Hills Academy
EARLY PICKS: This is a pick em district. Birmingham Detroit Country Day and Adams are the two best teams in the district. Adams will have to deal with Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood in the second round. The Yellow Jackets should have a nice path but Stoney Creek could give them some fits. I think the two top teams will meet but Birmingham Detroit Country Day should move on to the semifinals.
by orionontv | May 23, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Sunday May 14th at 11:00 PM
Here is my preview of the boys lacrosse regional projections.
Region 4 at South Lyon East
Brighton vs. FARMINGTON UNITED
BIRMINGHAM UNITED vs. Howell
South Lyon (South Lyon East) vs. Novi
Livonia Stevenson vs. Northville
EARLY PICKS: Give me the Brighton Bulldogs to move on to the quarterfinals but Birmingham United will have a very strong say and could upset Brighton in the regional semifinals if they are not careful.
Region 5 at Troy Athens
Detroit Catholic Central vs. Bye
TROY ATHENS (AVONDALE) vs. Detroit Cass Tech
M-1 (ROYAL OAK/BERKLEY) vs. Utica Ford II (Sterling Heights Stevenson)
Detroit University Detroit Jesuit vs. Chippewa Valley
EARLY PICKS: Can’t go against the Shamrocks, sorry rest of the field.
Region 6 at Romeo
Macomb L’Anse Creuse North vs. St. Clair
Birmingham Brother Rice vs. Macomb L’Anse Creuse North/St. Clair
Macomb Dakota vs. ROCHESTER
Port Huron vs. Utica Eisenhower (Utica)
Romeo vs. New Baltimore Anchor Bay
EARLY PICKS: The Warriors are motivated enough said although Romeo might have the best chance out of anyone in this regional that can give Birmingham Brother Rice at least some issues.
Region 7 at Bloomfield Hills
LAKE ORION vs. Waterford (Waterford Kettering/Waterford Mott)
OXFORD vs. TROY
Walled Lake (Walled Lake Northern/Walled Lake Western/Walled Lake Central) vs. WEST BLOOMFIELD
BLOOMFIELD HILLS vs. Huron Valley (Lakeland/Milford)
EARLY PICKS: This looks like a Dragons vs Blackhawks regional final. Lake Orion will be too much.
Region 8 at Clarkston
CLARKSTON vs. Bay City Central (Freeland, Frankenmuth)
Ortonville Brandon (Holly) vs. Davison
Grand Blanc vs. Lapeer
Saginaw Heritage vs. Swartz Creek (Flushing)
EARLY PICKS: No one is touching the Wolves in this regional. The Bobcats are the closest to having a chance but too much Wolves.
Region 14 at Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kinswood vs. Bye
ADAMS vs. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s vs. Madison Heights Bishop Foley (Clawson, Macomb Lutheran North)
STONEY CREEK vs. Royal Oak Shrine (Rochester Lutheran Northwest, Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes, Clarkston Everest)
EARLY PICKS: The Cranes are the early favorite but do not by any means count out the Cougars or the Highlanders. Adams could beat Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood. I see Stoney Creek getting to the district final and beating Adams who I think will upset the Cranes in the regional semifinals.
by orionontv | May 15, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Sunday May 14th at 11:30 PM
Here is my insight and preview for the girls lacrosse regionals.
Regional 3 at Troy Athens
Grosse Pointe North vs. Grosse Pointe South
Utica Ford II vs. TROY
BIRMINGHAM vs. WEST BLOOMFIELD
Grosse Pointe North/Grosse Pointe South vs. BLOOMFIELD HILLS
M-1 (ROYAL OAK/BERKLEY) vs. Utica Eisenhower
Utica Ford/TROY vs. TROY ATHENS
BIRMINGHAM/WEST BLOOMFIELD vs. Chippewa Valley
EARLY PICKS: This regional has Birmingham vs Bloomfield Hills written all over it. Bloomfield Hills beat Birmingham earlier in the season. The regional semifinals could be very interesting with the Bulldogs having a really tough path having to see Chippewa Valley and then Troy Athens in the second round and semifinals respectively. The Blackhawks have the much better draw to get to the regional finals. I like Bloomfield Hills over Birmingham in this matchup.
Regional 4 at Oxford
Midland vs. Grand Blanc
Fenton vs. OXFORD
Davison vs. Howell
CLARKSTON vs. Waterford
Midland/Grand Blanc vs. Hartland
Fenton/OXFORD vs. ROCHESTER
Davison/Howell vs. LAKE ORION
CLARKSTON/Waterford vs. White Lake
EARLY PICKS: Lake Orion has a great draw to get to the regional finals. They will have to get by Hartland which will be a tough matchup but Midland could give the Eagles some trouble in the second round but it’s not likely. I think Hartland moves on over the Dragons.
Regional 6 at Farmington
FARMINGTON vs. Farmington Hills Mercy
Temperance Bedford vs. Saline
Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard vs. Wixom St. Catherine Sienna
FARMINGTON/Mercy vs. Dearborn Divine Child
NORTH FARMINGTON vs. Tecumseh
Temperance Bedford/Saline vs. Ann Arbor Skyline
Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard/Wixom St. Catherine Sienna vs. Dexter
EARLY PICKS: This looks to be a very interesting regional. Dearborn Divine Child, Ann Arbor Skyline, and Dexter will be very tough outs. Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard has the best chance of upsetting the top three seeds. I think that the Falcons have the best chance to move onto the state semifinals.
Regional 7 at Adams
Birmingham Marian vs. Grosse Pointe Woods
Walled Lake Northern vs. ADAMS
AVONDALE vs. Warren Regina
Birmingham Marian/Grosse Pointe Woods vs. Detroit Country Day
STONEY CREEK vs. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
Walled Lake Northern/ADAMS vs. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kinswood
AVONDALE/Warren Regina vs. Bloomfield Hills Academy
EARLY PICKS: This is a pick em district. Birmingham Detroit Country Day and Adams are the two best teams in the district. Adams will have to deal with Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood in the second round. The Yellow Jackets should have a nice path but Stoney Creek could give them some fits. I think the two top teams will meet but Birmingham Detroit Country Day should move on to the semifinals.
by orionontv | May 15, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Sunday May 14th at 11:00 PM
Here is my preview of the boys lacrosse regional projections.
Region 4 at South Lyon East
Brighton vs. FARMINGTON UNITED
BIRMINGHAM UNITED vs. Howell
South Lyon (South Lyon East) vs. Novi
Livonia Stevenson vs. Northville
EARLY PICKS: Give me the Brighton Bulldogs to move on to the quarterfinals but Birmingham United will have a very strong say and could upset Brighton in the regional semifinals if they are not careful.
Region 5 at Troy Athens
Detroit Catholic Central vs. Bye
TROY ATHENS (AVONDALE) vs. Detroit Cass Tech
M-1 (ROYAL OAK/BERKLEY) vs. Utica Ford II (Sterling Heights Stevenson)
Detroit University Detroit Jesuit vs. Chippewa Valley
EARLY PICKS: Can’t go against the Shamrocks, sorry rest of the field.
Region 6 at Romeo
Macomb L’Anse Creuse North vs. St. Clair
Birmingham Brother Rice vs. Macomb L’Anse Creuse North/St. Clair
Macomb Dakota vs. ROCHESTER
Port Huron vs. Utica Eisenhower (Utica)
Romeo vs. New Baltimore Anchor Bay
EARLY PICKS: The Warriors are motivated enough said although Romeo might have the best chance out of anyone in this regional that can give Birmingham Brother Rice at least some issues.
Region 7 at Bloomfield Hills
LAKE ORION vs. Waterford (Waterford Kettering/Waterford Mott)
OXFORD vs. TROY
Walled Lake (Walled Lake Northern/Walled Lake Western/Walled Lake Central) vs. WEST BLOOMFIELD
BLOOMFIELD HILLS vs. Huron Valley (Lakeland/Milford)
EARLY PICKS: This looks like a Dragons vs Blackhawks regional final. Lake Orion will be too much.
Region 8 at Clarkston
CLARKSTON vs. Bay City Central (Freeland, Frankenmuth)
Ortonville Brandon (Holly) vs. Davison
Grand Blanc vs. Lapeer
Saginaw Heritage vs. Swartz Creek (Flushing)
EARLY PICKS: No one is touching the Wolves in this regional. The Bobcats are the closest to having a chance but too much Wolves.
Region 14 at Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kinswood vs. Bye
ADAMS vs. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s vs. Madison Heights Bishop Foley (Clawson, Macomb Lutheran North)
STONEY CREEK vs. Royal Oak Shrine (Rochester Lutheran Northwest, Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes, Clarkston Everest)
EARLY PICKS: The Cranes are the early favorite but do not by any means count out the Cougars or the Highlanders. Adams could beat Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood. I see Stoney Creek getting to the district final and beating Adams who I think will upset the Cranes in the regional semifinals.
by orionontv | May 15, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Sunday May 14th at 11:00 PM
Here is my insight and projections on the girls soccer districts.
District 6 at Clarkston
Flushing vs. Davison
CLARKSTON vs. Swartz Creek
Lapeer vs. OXFORD
Flushing/Davison vs. Grand Blanc
This is a very interesting district. Grand Blanc is the top seed but Clarkston and Oxford will be very tough matchups for the Bobcats. It wouldn’t surprise me if Grand Blanc falls in the district semifinals. I can see either one or two OAA schools in the district finals that is for sure.
District 7 at Lakeland
NORTH FARMINGTON vs. Walled Lake Central
Walled Lake Northern vs. Lakeland
Waterford Mott vs. WEST BLOOMFIELD
NORTH FARMINGTON/Walled Lake Central vs. Milford
North Farmington and West Bloomfield will be honoree members of the Lakes Valley Conference in this district. Walled Lake Northern won the Lakes Valley Conference crown this season but Milford is right there with them. West Bloomfield won the Blue and Waterford Mott is not an easy team. This district looks like it could be a Knights vs Mavericks district final which should be tight.
District 8 at Novi
FARMINGTON vs. Farmington Hills Mercy
Livonia Stevenson vs. South Lyon East
Northville vs. South Lyon
FARMINGTON/Farmington Hills Mercy vs. Novi
There is a ton of parity in this district especially with well known names like Farmington Hills Mercy, Northville, and Novi but keep an eye on South Lyon East. The Cougars have had a strong season in the Lakes Valley. The Mustangs are ranked high for a reason and will look to keep it that way but the Marlins and Wildcats could spoil that real quickly.
District 12 at Grosse Pointe South
Dearborn Fordson vs. Dearborn Heights Crestwood
Dearborn vs. HARPER WOODS
Detroit Western vs. Grosse Pointe South
Dearborn/Dearborn Heights Crestwood vs. Detroit Cass Tech
This is not a strong district but Detroit Cass Tech has the top seed in the district. I think they will have a tough time with Dearborn Heights Crestwood or Dearborn. I think Grosse Pointe South will be too much in this district with home field.
District 13 at Royal Oak
BERKLEY vs. GROVES
BLOOMFIELD HILLS vs. SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH
SEAHOLM vs. ROYAL OAK
BERKLEY/GROVES vs. TROY
This is an all OAA district. Troy got a very interesting draw with the winner of Berkley and Groves. Both teams are tough teams. Seaholm and Royal Oak should also be very interesting as well. Note we aren’t talking about the defending Division One State Champs are in here as well and they have a great draw. This is a pick em district that is for sure.
District 14 at Utica
LAKE ORION vs. ADAMS
STONEY CREEK vs. Utica Eisenhower
Romeo vs. Utica
LAKE ORION/ADAMS vs. ROCHESTER
This is the group of death district. Every one of these teams has a chance to win this district. Rochester has the best shot to win this district but Stoney Creek could have a strong say pending if they can get by a very good Utica Eisenhower squad. Lake Orion vs Adams is a trap game early. Whoever wins this district has a great chance to make it to East Lansing.
District 15 at Troy Athens
TROY ATHENS vs. Sterling Heights
Chippewa Valley vs. Sterling Heights Stevenson
Utica Ford vs. Warren Cousino
Fraser vs. Warren Mott
This should be a very interesting district. Troy Athens is the early favorite with home court and a tough schedule. Chippewa Valley could give some fits though. This district is the Red Hawks to lose.
District 24 at Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood
Detroit Renaissance vs. Walled Lake Western
FERNDALE vs. Livonia Clarenceville
Detroit Renaissance/Walled Lake Western vs. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood
FERNDALE/Livonia Clarenceville vs. Birmingham Marian
Birmingham Marian is the favorite and should be for good reason. The Mustangs have a great draw with playing either Ferndale or Livonia Clarenceville in the district semifinals. I think this will be a Cranes vs Mustangs district final with Birmingham Marian moving on.
District 26 at Goodrich
AVONDALE vs. Waterford Kettering
Holly vs. Brandon
AVONDALE/ Waterford Kettering vs. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s
Holly/Brandon vs. Goodrich
This is a very interesting district. Goodrich is the favorite with home field and has the best team on paper. Brandon is a sleeper. The Blackhawks can make a ton of noise if things work out well. Avondale is very interesting. The Yellow Jackets have had moments of greatness and struggles. This district is the Martians to lose.
by orionontv | May 15, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Saturday May 13th at 5:20 PM
Here is my projections for Girls Tennis. Underlined is projected regional champion.
Region 4 @ Livonia Churchill
FARMINGTON
Dearborn
Dearborn Edsel Ford
Dearborn Fordson
Detroit Cass Tech
Farmington Hills Mercy
Livonia Churchill
Livonia Stevenson
Westland John Glenn
Wayne Memorial
TOP THREE THAT MOVES ON: Farmington Hills Mercy, Farmington, Westland John Glenn.
Region 5 @ Troy
TROY
TROY ATHENS
ROYAL OAK
SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH
Fraser
Sterling Heights Stevenson
St. Clair Shores Lakeview
Utica Ford II
Warren Mott
TOP THREE THAT MOVES ON: Troy, Troy Athens, Royal Oak
Region 6 @ Utica Eisenhower
STONEY CREEK
Utica Eisenhower
Macomb L’Anse Creuse
Chippewa Valley
Macomb Dakota
Macomb L’Anse Creuse North
New Baltimore Anchor Bay
Romeo
Port Huron Northern
Utica
TOP THREE THAT MOVES ON: Port Huron Northern, Utica Eisenhower, Stoney Creek
Region 7 @ Lakeland
CLARKSTON
LAKE ORION
WEST BLOOMFIELD
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
ROCHESTER
ADAMS
Waterford Kettering
Lakeland
TOP THREE THAT MOVES ON: Bloomfield Hills, Adams, Clarkston.
Region 12 @ North Farmington
NORTH FARMINGTON
GROVES
SEAHOLM
AVONDALE
Holly
Fenton
Milford
Walled Lake Central
TOP THREE THAT MOVES ON: Seaholm, Groves, Fenton.
Region 13 @ Grosse Pointe North
BERKLEY
HARPER WOODS
FERNDALE
Grosse Pointe North
Grosse Pointe South
Sterling Heights
Warren Cousino
Warren Woods Tower
TOP THREE THAT MOVES ON: Grosse Pointe South, Grosse Pointe North, Berkley.
