Simpson Leaves Legacy at North Farmington

Simpson Leaves Legacy at North Farmington

by | Apr 24, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

Simpson Leaves Legacy at North Farmington.

Written Wednesday April 19th at 1:30 PM

There will be a new coach at North Farmington for Girls Basketball next winter.

Raiders coach Jeff Simpson stepped down on Wednesday after 29 years with the program and nine as the varsity coach.

“After many long hours of deliberation, I am resigning from my position as Varsity Girls Head Basketball Coach at North Farmington. I have spent 29 years in this program, nine as the Varsity coach. I have enjoyed my time in this program but I feel it is in my best interest to step down at this time. This spring (softball assistant coach) is my 77th coaching season for Farmington Public Schools (both middle and high school sports.) I feel it’s time for someone new to come in and lead the Raiders. Next year will be my final teaching year and I’m getting ready for the next set of adventures. Thank you to all my coaches I have worked with and coached against and to all of my former players, thank you for giving me your time and energy, always and forever. Go Raiders” Simpson said in a tweet.

North Farmington went 22-0 this past season which was the first time in school history that the girls basketball program went unbeaten. They fell to Farmington Hills Mercy in the district finals.

The Raiders have Asiyah Jihad and Hannah Hart coming back next season. Program strength will be a big concern for North Farmington going forward. The program could be in line for a major change next season.

Simpson added another tweet as well. “I have thoroughly enjoyed the run, time for the next adventure. Thanks to everyone for their support over the years especially my wife and kids. Go Raiders” he added.

Simpson did very well with the Raiders in his coaching career. He left a legacy at North Farmington. Simpson coached several very talented players including Sela Lefler and Penelope Creary and has been around proven players like Jenna Backrouge among others that has went through the North Farmington program.

It will be very interesting to see what happens next season for the Raiders but Simpson will be missed for sure.

Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest on this developing story.

Here is the Tweet from Simpson.

https://twitter.com/NFGirlsBB/status/1648699574658166787

Simpson Leaves Legacy at North Farmington

Thomas Leaves Legacy at Adams

by | Apr 24, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

Friday, April 21, 2023

Thomas Leaves Legacy at Adams.

Written Friday April 21st at 4:35 PM

This was a move that no one saw coming.

Adams Boys Basketball Coach Jaret Thomas is stepping down from the program. Thomas led the Highlanders to their first regional championship and two district crowns in his four years at Adams.

“Adams Highlanders, I have to thank you for an incredible four years and the privilege of being your boys basketball coach. Together we were able to build a championship program and we did it our way, character, hard work, choosing to do the hard things, and always putting the team first. Special Thank you to my former and current players for your effort, dedication, and commitment. I am so proud to have been your coach and forever we are bonded by our relationships and time spent together. Also I would like to thank the administration and leadership who believed in me and supported me every step of the way. Adams will hold a special place in my heart and I leave here full of gratitude and love for so many. Go Highlanders.” Thomas said in a tweet on Twitter.

Thomas went 59-37 in his four years at Adams. He has rebuilt the Highlanders program especially the lower levels and that success has translated into the varsity program.

Whoever the new coach is will have Peter Kardsais, William Gee, Trenton Lagarde, Chan Yang, Gavin Farris, Luke Marcial, Jake Andrzejak, Aaron Troxell, coming back along with maybe Brady Prieskorn.

Adams should be a force in the Red next season whether Prieskorn plays or not.

It will be very interesting to see what happens with the Highlanders this offseason.

Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest on this developing story. I will have my thoughts on Monday’s podcast.

Here is the Tweet from Thomas.

https://twitter.com/_JaretThomas/status/1649498354068475930

Simpson Leaves Legacy at North Farmington

Avondale has their new Varsity Football Coach

by | Apr 17, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

Avondale has their new Varsity Football Coach.

Written Saturday April 15th at 10:10 AM

Avondale will have a new football coach this fall.

The Yellow Jackets have named Bob Meyer as their new head coach. Meyer was confirmed as the coach on the Avondale Athletics website and also Livonia Clarenceville where he previously coached has a new coach according to the MHSAA website.

Meyer takes over for Corey Bell whom is now the quarterback’s coach at Oxford.

Meyer is no stranger to Oakland County. He coached at Walled Lake Central before heading to Livonia Clarenceville. He led the Trojans in his four years to a 25-23 record but a 25-14 record in the last three years with three postseason appearances.

Meyer comes to a program that has had a ton of success. The Yellow Jackets have made the postseason six of the last seven years and look to make it seven of eight this season. Avondale is one of the favorites in the Gold with a ton of proven experience.

The Yellow Jackets have Tyler Herzog at quarterback, along with wide receivers and defensive backs Alfonso Merritt, Justin Sykes and Cooper Voeffary, also linemen Charlie Killian, Dhruv Thakur, and Cameron Washington, and linebackers Myles Moore and Matthew Lloyd coming back.

Program strength will be very interesting to watch this season for Avondale.

The Yellow Jackets are 31-26 in the last seven years but the trend has been on the upward swing as of late. Avondale hasn’t been able to get out of the first round since 2012.

My Thoughts

I’ve talked to a lot of media experts and they say to me that this is a great hire for the Yellow Jackets to go with Meyer. Meyer brings a well-known knowledge of the game and can play any style of offense whether it is the veer or the spread offense. Defensively and depth will be question marks this season. Avondale is one of the favorites in the Gold with proven experience and you bring Meyer a proven coach to the fold, the Yellow Jackets should be a force to watch this season.

Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest on this developing story.

 

Avondale Football Information Meeting

https://yellowjacketsports.org/2023/04/12/football-2023-informational-meeting/

Livonia Clarenceville Football MHSAA page

https://www.mhsaa.com/schools/clarenceville/boys/varsity/football/2023

Simpson Leaves Legacy at North Farmington

Pontiac has their new Varsity Football Coach

by | Apr 17, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

Pontiac has their new Varsity Football Coach.

Written Friday April 14th at 11:15 PM

The Pontiac Phoenix have a new varsity football coach.

The Phoenix named Wendell Jefferson as their new head coach replacing Ken Wade whom stepped down at the end of the season. Jefferson was confirmed on the MHSAA website as the new football coach.

Jefferson coached the Pontiac Generals Rivals professional football team and knows the area really well. He is a 1984 graduate of Pontiac Central.

Pontiac has Kayne Donaldson at quarterback, along with Davion Hall at running back, also defensive back Debon Johnson, and linemen Bryce Brown. The Phoenix have questions with depth and program strength.

Jefferson will be tasked in trying to turn the Phoenix around. Pontiac is 5-91 since 2011 and 0-18 in the last two years.

My Thoughts

This is a very interesting hire but with a ton of local ties. Jefferson knows the city of Pontiac really well. It will be very interesting to see how he can turn around the Phoenix knowing the history. Pontiac’s schedule looks very manageable. Winning games will be very important for this team this season.

Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest on this developing story.

 

Pontiac Football MHSAA page

https://www.mhsaa.com/schools/pontiac/boys/varsity/football/2023

Enrollment Sheet is Out

Enrollment Sheet is Out

by | Apr 11, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

Enrollment Sheet is Out.

Written Friday April 7th at 6:45 PM

The enrollment sheet for all sports is out for 2023-2024.

The MHSAA released the sheet on Wednesday afternoon.

Class A is listed as 807 and above and Class B is 806 to 380 students.

Most of the schools in the OAA are in Class A however Harper Woods, Ferndale, and Ferndale University are in Class B.

The football list is very interesting.

Ferndale (672) and Ferndale University (642) Co-Op which means they will have a combined 1144 students and are in Division Two for the playoffs. When they are separate they both are in Class B.

Division One will have Troy (2298), Lake Orion (2254), Clarkston (2206), Oxford (2049), Troy Athens (2030), West Bloomfield (1903), Rochester (1768), Bloomfield Hills (1739), Stoney Creek (1566), Adams (1564), and Southfield Arts and Tech (1517)

Division Two will have Royal Oak (1443), Farmington (1416), Seaholm (1279), North Farmington (1269), Berkley (1228), Groves (1159) Ferndale Co-Op (1144), and Oak Park (1135)

Division Three will have Avondale (1015) and Pontiac (938)

Division Four will have Harper Woods (775)

Troy is the ninth enrolled school in the State followed by Lake Orion (11th), Clarkston (13th), Oxford (18th), and Troy Athens (19th) round out the top 20 most enrolled in the State.

Several schools do unify in other sports like Lacrosse and Hockey. Groves with Seaholm (Birmingham United-2338), Troy and Troy Athens (Troy Unified-4328), Berkley and Royal Oak (M-1-2674), Rochester and Adams (Rochester United-3332), and Farmington and North Farmington (Farmington United-2485.)

Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest on this developing story.

Here is the enrollment sheet

https://www.mhsaa.com/sites/default/files/Enrollment%20and%20Classification/2324enroll.pdf

Enrollment Sheet is Out

Baseball Districts are Out-2023

by | Apr 3, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

Baseball Districts are Out-2023.

Written Wednesday March 29th at 9:35 AM

Here are the baseball district early thoughts heading into the season.

District 16 at Livonia Stevenson

FARMINGTON

NORTH FARMINGTON

Livonia Stevenson

Novi

Novi Detroit Catholic Central

 

EARLY THOUGHTS: This should be a very interesting district. Livonia Stevenson should be the early favorite but Farmington, North Farmington, and Novi Detroit Catholic Central could have very strong says. Anyone can win this district with how good these teams are this season.

 

District 20 at Grosse Pointe South

HARPER WOODS

Grosse Pointe South

Grosse Pointe North

St. Clair Shores Lakeview

 

EARLY THOUGHTS: This is a very interesting district. Grosse Pointe North looks to be the favorite but Grosse Pointe South and St. Clair Shores Lakeview looks to be very tough outs. It’s going to be rough for Harper Woods being up in Division One this season.

 

District 22 at Royal Oak

ROYAL OAK

BERKLEY

Sterling Heights

Warren Cousino

Warren Mott

 

EARLY THOUGHTS: This is a very interesting district. I really like what Berkley has done in the past and they should be the early favorite. Royal Oak looks like they will have a strong say. I’m not sure about the Macomb County schools but right now this district looks like it’s the Bears to lose.

 

District 23 at TBA

OAK PARK

FERNDALE

Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit

Detroit Mumford

Detroit Renaissance

 

EARLY THOUGHTS: This is not a very strong district on paper. Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit should be the favorite to win this district. Ferndale looks like they will be the Cubs biggest challenger. Other than that there really isn’t anyone that could challenge the Cubs or the Eagles.

 

District 24 at Birmingham Brother Rice

SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH

GROVES

SEAHOLM

Birmingham Brother Rice

 

EARLY THOUGHTS: This district looks like it could be a three teamer between Groves, Seaholm, and Birmingham Brother Rice. The Warriors look like they are the team to beat but never ever count out the Falcons or the Maples. Southfield Arts and Tech could make some noise but the other three teams are going to be very tough for them to beat.

 

District 27 at Romeo

ROCHESTER

ADAMS

STONEY CREEK

Romeo

Utica Eisenhower

 

EARLY THOUGHTS: This district has Adams and Utica Eisenhower written all over it. The Highlanders are the early favorite because of proven experience. The Eagles could be a player if things go right. Rochester is solid as is Stoney Creek. Romeo is the wildcard in this district. Until proven otherwise this district looks like its Adams to lose.

 

District 28 at Avondale

AVONDALE

TROY

TROY ATHENS

BLOOMFIELD HILLS

Utica

 

EARLY THOUGHTS: This is a pretty even district. Utica is the early favorite but Troy, Troy Athens, Avondale, and Bloomfield Hills should have strong says. This should be a very interesting district to watch that is for sure.

 

District 29 at West Bloomfield

WEST BLOOMFIELD

LAKE ORION

Waterford Kettering

Waterford Mott

Orchard Lake St. Mary’s

 

EARLY THOUGHTS: There are two powerhouse programs in this district and it’s very unfortunate that one of them is going home early. The Eaglets are the favorite but the Dragons should have a very strong say. West Bloomfield is the wildcard in this district. I don’t see the Waterford schools making a ton of noise right now.

 

District 31 at Oxford

OXFORD

CLARKSTON

Fenton

Holly

Grand Blanc

 

EARLY THOUGHTS: This looks like a very interesting baseball district. Clarkston is the early favorite to win this district but keep an eye on Oxford and Grand Blanc. They could surprise some people. The Bobcats had a deep postseason run last season and they could be more than capable of doing it again. The Wildcats are well coached despite being a young team.