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
