by orionontv | Mar 7, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Sunday March 5th at 10:30 AM
When Athletic Directors put in for regionals to the MHSAA and it’s granted. They tend to feel that their team can get to the regional where they would host.
Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn’t.
It’s very rough for the losing team in districts and knowing that their opponent is heading to your regional in your own gym.
The reward for some schools is that they get to host their regional.
Lake Orion, Macomb Dakota, Coldwater, Dearborn Fordson, Frankenmuth, Yale, Saline, Sandusky, Madison Heights Bishop Foley, Dansville, Petersburg Sumfield, Athens, and Kingston will host their respective girls basketball regionals and their team are playing in their regionals throughout the State.
The common theme is that each of these teams won their district in an opposing gym. That is the biggest motivation is to host their own regional.
Rochester, Detroit Cass Tech, Grosse Pointe North, Redford Westfield Prep, Detroit Edison, Dearborn Divine Child, Hart, West Iron County, Oscoda, Grass Lake, Dansville, Hanover-Horton, Blissfield, Riverview Gabriel Richard, New Lothrup, Fowler, Petersburg Summerfield, Gaylord St. Mary, Au Gres Sims, St. Charles, Fruitport Calvary Christian, Climax Scott, and Athens all won girls basketball districts on their home floors.
It happens in any sport.
Having home court this late in the season is very important. Those teams are familiar with the gym and the surroundings. Now all these teams won’t make it past regionals but that feeling of playing at home is very rewarding to those who have gotten this far.
Like I said before, sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn’t that’s the bottom line.
by orionontv | Mar 7, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Saturday March 4th at 11:00 PM
These are the final Boys Basketball Top 23 for the regular season.
- North Farmington (19-1): Raiders rolling with confidence into the postseason.
- Ferndale (14-8): Eagles gearing up for hopefully a run in Division Two.
- Adams (13-8): Highlanders have some momentum despite loss to North Farmington.
- West Bloomfield (15-6): Lakers have a really tough test looming in the postseason.
- Groves (16-6): Marc West has done a very good job with the Falcons in his first year back.
- Troy (16-6): Colts better beware of Utica in the district semifinals.
- Oak Park (11-7): Knights struggling a little bit heading into a very tough district.
- Bloomfield Hills (15-7): Blackhawks have a really tough test looming in the postseason.
- Harper Woods (15-7): Pioneers have a very interesting matchup with Grosse Pointe North looming.
- Clarkston (13-9): Wolves should be fine in their district.
- Lake Orion (11-11): Dragons have played a tough schedule this season.
- Seaholm (12-10): Maples won the Blue with a strong 2023.
- Oxford (13-9): Wildcats have some confidence heading into the postseason.
- Troy Athens (11-9): Red Hawks have no momentum heading into the postseason.
- Berkley (14-8): Bears staring at Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit in the district semifinals.
- Royal Oak (13-8): Ravens have a very tough matchup with Detroit Renaissance looming.
- Stoney Creek (3-18): Cougars have no momentum heading into the postseason.
- Rochester (5-17): Max Mohl has been very impressive lately.
- Farmington (6-15): Falcons are in a very tough spot without Jaden Turner.
- Southfield Arts and Tech (9-13): Warriors have no momentum heading in the postseason.
- Avondale (10-12): Yellow Jackets are a wildcard in their district.
- Ferndale University (9-12): Eagles have been inconsistent heading into the postseason.
- Pontiac (3-18): Phoenix have really struggled heading into the postseason.
by orionontv | Feb 28, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Sunday February 26th at 6:45 PM
Here is the Top 23 for Boys Basketball for the week.
- North Farmington (17-1): Raiders loaded lineup is ready for the postseason.
- Ferndale (12-7): Eagles starting to turn the corner and just in time too.
- Oak Park (10-6): Knights need to bounce back and quick.
- Adams (12-7): Highlanders guards are gaining experience and confidence right now.
- West Bloomfield (14-5): Donnie Watts has been a great addition for the Lakers.
- Groves (14-6): Josh Gibson and Josh Simpson are future stars in the making.
- Troy (15-5): Colts riding the proven experience into the postseason.
- Bloomfield Hills (14-6): Noah Adamcyzk needs to be on college scouts radar now.
- Troy Athens (11-7): Red Hawks are 8-1 in their last nine games.
- Clarkston (12-8): Wolves have lost three straight which is very unusual.
- Lake Orion (10-10): Quay Fly has had some monster games lately.
- Harper Woods (12-7): Pioneers have the Gold all but locked up.
- Seaholm (10-10): Maples are 10-5 since the New Year started.
- Berkley (13-7): Tamir Runkenvich is going to need to be huge for the Bears this postseason.
- Royal Oak (12-7): Everyone needs to click for the Ravens to make some noise in the postseason.
- Stoney Creek (3-16): Welcome back Peyton Rummler.
- Oxford (10-9): Jake Champagne and company need to make some noise late in the season.
- Farmington (6-13): Greg Grays is going to be a star in the making.
- Southfield Arts and Tech (8-12): Warriors have been up and down this season.
- Avondale (9-11): Yellow Jackets have a shot to beat Waterford Mott but they have to play well.
- Rochester (5-15): Falcons have been up and down lately.
- Ferndale University (9-11): Eagles will be a very interesting team to watch.
- Pontiac (3-16): Phoenix are really struggling right now.
by orionontv | Feb 28, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Saturday February 25th at 5:00 PM
Here are the district likelihoods heading into the last week of the season.
Pontiac: The Phoenix have had a very difficult season. They will be the B team in District Six. Pontiac has a very interesting matchup with Waterford Kettering in the pre-district. If the Phoenix were to get past the Captains then they would play Clarkston in the district semifinals which is a very tough matchup. Either way it’s a tough path for Pontiac in the postseason.
Ferndale University: The Eagles have a tough path ahead of them. They are the B team in District 59 which means they will see Hazel Park in the pre-district and if they win that game they would see arch rival Ferndale in the district semifinals. With where they are at with the MPR this will be the likely outcome for Ferndale University.
Avondale: The Yellow Jackets have had things very rough as of late. They made a coaching change mid-season which can always be tough. Avondale is the A team in District Six. They would play Waterford Mott in the district semifinals. The Yellow Jackets have a really tough path this postseason for sure.
Harper Woods: The Pioneers will be second seed for District 30. Harper Woods would play Grosse Pointe North in the district semifinals. Roseville and St. Clair Shores Lakeview are locked into play each other in the pre-district with the winner getting Grosse Pointe South in the district semifinals. It will be very interesting to see how the Pioneers handle this at Grosse Pointe North.
Southfield Arts and Tech: The Warriors have been up and down this season. Southfield Arts and Tech will be C team in District 26. They will play Livonia Stevenson in the pre-district. If they can get by the Spartans they would play North Farmington in the district semifinals. The Warriors have a tough path that is for sure.
Royal Oak: The Ravens have been improving as a program but the postseason is another animal where this program needs to take the next step. Royal Oak will be the D team in District 25 which means they would have a really difficult matchup with Detroit Renaissance in the pre-district. If they somehow get by the Phoenix then they would play Oak Park in the district semifinals. It’s going to be a tough path for Royal Oak but if they are executing at a high level then maybe there is always a chance.
Troy Athens: The Red Hawks kept the second seed in District 28 which means they would play Sterling Heights Stevenson in the district semifinals. The Red Hawks have the better draw with Sterling Heights Stevenson even though it is a road game technically but it’s the better side of the draw. The winner of that game could see either Utica or arch rival Troy in the district finals. A lot to play for Troy Athens right now.
Seaholm: The Maples will have it very tough in the postseason. They are the B team in District 27 which means they would play arch rival Groves in the pre-district. If Seaholm can get by Groves then they would see Birmingham Brother Rice whom is the top seed and Catholic League champs in the district semifinals. This is a very tough path for the Maples if they want to make some noise in this district.
Oxford: The Wildcats have a very difficult path ahead of them going back to Genesee County. They are the C team in District Four. Oxford will play Lapeer in the pre-district with the winner playing top seed and host Grand Blanc in the district semifinals. It’s going to be a very tough path for sure for the Wildcats.
Berkley: The Bears have been a very odd team to figure out. They will be the A team in District 25 which means they would play Detroit Mumford in the pre-district. If Berkley gets by the Mustangs they would play Detroit-University-Detroit Jesuit in the district semifinals. It will be a tough matchup for the Bears but they have home court which helps. Berkley is the wildcard in this district that is for sure.
Rochester: The Falcons are in a very interesting spot in District Five. Rochester is the B team and play Lake Orion which is a much tougher matchup for them. The Falcons are struggling a little bit right now which is a concern going forward.
Stoney Creek: The Cougars have had a really rough year with injuries, a brutal non conference, and a tough transition period. Stoney Creek will be the C team in District Five which means they will play Romeo in the pre-district. If they beat the Bulldogs they would play Utica Eisenhower in the district semifinals. It’s a very tough road for the Cougars that is for sure going against the heart of Macomb County.
Groves: The Falcons have had a very good season. They are the A team in District 27 which means they would play arch rival Seaholm in the pre-district. If they win over the Maples they would play top seed and Catholic League champions Birmingham Brother Rice in the district semifinals. It’s going to be a tall order for Groves but they could be a dangerous team for Birmingham Brother Rice in the district semifinals for sure.
Farmington: The Falcons are much better than their record indicates. They have an up and coming star in Greg Grays and despite what they have been going through Farmington is much improved than last season. Their district should be very interesting. They are the A team in District 26 which means they would play Detroit Henry Ford in the district semifinals. If they can win that game then they would have a rematch with arch rival North Farmington in the district finals. Farmington is in a very interesting spot right now.
Lake Orion: The Dragons are in a very complex spot when it comes to the postseason. They will be the A team and play Rochester in the pre-district with the winner playing Adams in the district semifinals. The Dragons beat the Falcons earlier in the season but Rochester had a great fourth quarter in that game. Lake Orion is in a very interesting spot with a ton to play for just for confidence.
West Bloomfield: The Lakers have had a big turnaround this season. The district could be a very tall task for West Bloomfield. They are the D team in District 27. The Lakers will play Bloomfield Hills in the pre-district. West Bloomfield won at Bloomfield Hills earlier in the season. If they can win over the Blackhawks they would play Orchard Lake St. Marys in the district semifinals. I like this path for the Lakers if they can knock off Bloomfield Hills which they have already done on their home floor. I’m not real trustworthy of the Eaglets in the postseason because of the distractions off the court.
Bloomfield Hills: The Blackhawks have been up and down lately. Bloomfield Hills is in a very tough district despite having home court. They are the C team in District 27 which means they will rematch with arch rival West Bloomfield in the pre-district. If they beat the Lakers in the pre-district then they would play Orchard Lake St. Marys in the district semifinals. West Bloomfield beat the Blackhawks earlier in the season at Bloomfield Hills. They could if they win over West Bloomfield and beat Orchard Lake St. Marys which they have a chance they would play top seed and Catholic League Champion Birmingham Brother Rice in the district finals on their home floor. Like West Bloomfield, I like the Blackhawks path pending if they can get by the Lakers in the pre-district. It’s really hard for me to trust the Eaglets this postseason with their distractions off the court. Expect Noah Adamcyzk to make a ton of noise on his home court.
Troy: The Colts have the top seed in District 28 all but locked up. Troy will likely see either Utica Ford II or Utica in the district semifinals. If they can win that matchup they could see either Sterling Heights Stevenson or arch rival Troy Athens in the district finals. The Colts matchup very well in this district. Troy is in a great position to do well although Utica could be an issue but not likely at the moment.
Adams: The Highlanders will have the top seed in District Five. Adams will play either Rochester or Lake Orion in the district semifinals. The Falcons beat the Highlanders earlier in the season but that was without Brady Prieskorn while the Dragons were without DJ Morrow and Nate Havrilla in their loss to Adams. The Highlanders will be a very interesting team to watch in the postseason.
Clarkston: The Wolves have home court in District Six and have the top seed all but locked up. If this were the case they would play either Waterford Kettering or Pontiac in the district semifinals. They should have that likely rematch with Waterford Mott in the district finals. I don’t really see Clarkston getting jumped by Waterford Mott like they were but then again Wolves fans know what happened last season.
Oak Park: The Knights will be the second seed in District 25. They hold that seed at the moment which means they would play Detroit Renaissance or Royal Oak in the district semifinals. This is a program that wants Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit in the worst way possible. Could this be the year that the Knights get the Cubs??? We’ll see.
Ferndale: The Eagles postseason path looks very secure with where they are at in the MPR. They would be locked into the top seed in District 59. Ferndale would play either Ferndale University or Hazel Park in the district semifinals. They would see Detroit Old Redford in the district finals. Either way this is a great path for the Eagles in the postseason.
North Farmington: The Raiders are the top team in the MPR, have home court, and have the top seed locked up in District 26. There likely won’t be any changes which means they would see either Southfield Arts and Tech or Livonia Stevenson in the district semifinals and if they win that they could see Detroit Henry Ford or Farmington in the district finals. North Farmington is in a really good spot to make some noise in the postseason.
by orionontv | Feb 28, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Saturday February 25th at 1:00 AM
These will be the final regular season rankings as we are now in the postseason. Here are the top 23 with teams that are riding high and others not so much.
- West Bloomfield (20-2): Lakers rolling into the postseason with confidence.
- Lake Orion (17-5): Friday can’t come soon enough.
- North Farmington (22-0): Raiders better be wary on Wednesday.
- Stoney Creek (16-6): Cougars might be the most dangerous team in the postseason.
- Rochester (16-6): Falcons have lost three straight coming into the postseason.
- Oxford (18-4): Friday can’t come soon enough.
- Clarkston (12-10): Friday can’t come soon enough.
- Bloomfield Hills (18-3): Blackhawks looking to make some noise in the postseason.
- Berkley (11-9): Bears riding some momentum heading into the postseason.
- Royal Oak (13-9): Ravens could be a sleeper in the postseason.
- Harper Woods (12-7): Pioneers are in a very interesting spot in the postseaon.
- Seaholm (6-15): Maples have a good spot heading into the postseason.
- Troy Athens (7-13): Red Hawks getting much needed break before Wednesday.
- Adams (4-17): Highlanders have a tough matchup looming with Stoney Creek.
- Groves (6-16): Falcons have some momentum heading into the postseason.
- Southfield Arts and Tech (5-15): Warriors have no momentum heading into the postseason.
- Farmington (11-9): Falcons have no momentum heading into the postseason.
- Oak Park (9-8): Knights have a tough matchup with Berkley.
- Avondale (6-15): Yellow Jackets have no momentum heading into the postseason.
- Ferndale (7-6): Eagles could make some noise if things go right.
- Troy (3-19): Colts have lost 18 straight games.
- Ferndale University (2-16): Eagles are looking for some respect in the postseason.
- Pontiac (0-19): Phoenix looking for respect in the postseason.
by orionontv | Feb 23, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Saturday December 18th at 2:35 PM
Here are the likely district matchups with the formula posted by the MHSAA from last week for each team in the OAA.
Oak Park: The Knights have been playing some really good basketball as of late. They will be the B team in District 25 which means they will play Berkley in the pre-district. The winner will take on Detroit Renaissance in the district semifinals. Oak Park will need to step their game up if they want to pull off the upset in the pre-district. It will be a very tough matchup in a very tough district to say the least for the Knights.
Ferndale: The Eagles lack of games have hurt them this season and the MPR proves that. They will be the A team in District 58. Ferndale will play arch rival Ferndale University in the pre-district with the winner playing Warren Fitzgerald in the district semifinals. The Eagles have themselves to blame because they did not have enough games or points to pass Hazel Park for the second seed in the district this season.
Pontiac: The Phoenix will be the A team in District Five. They will clash with Waterford Kettering in the pre-district game. It’s a very interesting matchup with the Captains for Pontiac but either way they will have their hands full in this matchup.
Ferndale University: The Eagles will be the B team in District 58. They will have a rematch with arch rival Ferndale in the pre-district and if they can upset Ferndale then they would see unbeaten Warren Fitzgerald in the district semifinals. Brighter days are ahead for this program that has really struggled this season.
Avondale: The Yellow Jackets have had a very disappointing season but the postseason offers a fresh start. They will be the A team in their district and will play Sterling Heights Stevenson in the pre-district. If Avondale can get by the Titans then they would see the top seed Utica Ford II in the district semifinals which will be a very tough matchup. They have home court which helps but they have a very good Falcons program that they might have to deal with in the district semifinals. It will be a very tough road ahead for the Yellow Jackets.
Farmington: The Falcons will be the B team in District 26. Farmington will see Detroit Henry Ford in the pre-district but if they get by Detroit Henry Ford then they will see Farmington Hills Mercy in the district semifinals. It’s going to be a very tough road for Farmington especially with the season they have been having. The key for the Falcons will be is can they win the big non conference game and they haven’t been able to do that in recent years.
Bloomfield Hills: The Blackhawks will be the B team in District 27 despite winning the Blue but the MPR really hurt them. They will play Groves in the pre-district with the winner seeing Birmingham Marian in the district semifinals. Bloomfield Hills is getting better as a program but the MPR really failed them from being seeded in this district this season.
Adams: The Highlanders have had a really tough year this season. They will be the A team in District Six. Adams will play Stoney Creek in the pre-district. It will be a very tough matchup for Coach Joe Malburg going against the Cougars in a very tough district to say the least.
Troy Athens: The Red Hawks have been decimated by injuries but they will have a chance to rest up being the number two seed in District 28 however Troy Athens has a very dangerous matchup with Utica in the district semifinals. If the Red Hawks can get by Utica then they could clash with top seed Utica Ford II in the district finals. It’s a tough road for Troy Athens in this district.
Harper Woods: The Pioneers will have the second seed in District 30. Harper Woods will have a very tough matchup with St. Clair Shores Lakeview in the district semifinals. The Huskies are under 500 at the moment but they are a very dangerous team. If the Pioneers can get by St. Clair Shores Lakeview then they will have a very dangerous matchup with the host Grosse Pointe North in the district finals pending if they can get by Grosse Pointe South. Either way the district finals looks very challenging for Harper Woods.
Seaholm: The Maples have had a very rough season but they did some great news when it came to where they were placed. Seaholm barely edged out Bloomfield Hills for the number two seed in District 27. They will have a very interesting matchup with Troy in the district semifinals and if they get by the Colts then they would see either Birmingham Marian, Groves, or Bloomfield Hills in the district finals. Seaholm is in a great spot to get to the district finals but Troy will be very tricky for them.
Royal Oak: The Ravens have been struggling as of late. Royal Oak will be the C team in District 25. They will have a very interesting matchup with Detroit Mumford in the district semifinals with the winner seeing Detroit Renaissance or Berkley in the district finals. There is still time for the Ravens to find that magic from the past especially in a very favorable matchup with the Mustangs. Anything can happen in the postseason.
Berkley: The Bears battled Detroit Mumford for the second seed however they lost out by three points which means Berkley will be the A team in District 25 and play Oak Park in the pre-district. They could see Detroit Renaissance in the district semifinals but they do have a shot if they play with nothing to lose like they did last season in the district finals in Detroit. The Phoenix will be motivated if it’s the Bears they play. It will be a tough road for Berkley despite having home court in the postseason but anything can happen to say the least.
North Farmington: The Raiders are locked into the second seed in District 26 but they have a very tough road ahead despite having home court. North Farmington will have to see Southfield Arts and Tech in the district semifinals and if they can get by the Warriors then they would have their district finals rematch on their home court against Farmington Hills Mercy. If these two teams meet, I like the Raiders chances despite problems in the interior. Home court helps big time and that should favor a team like North Farmington.
Oxford: The Wildcats are locked into the two seed in District Four. They will get the host school in Lapeer in the district semifinals. Oxford has beaten Lapeer earlier this season on their home floor. If they get by the Lightning they will likely see Grand Blanc in the district finals. The Bobcats have knocked the Wildcats out of the postseason in the last two years however even though Oxford is without Nevaeh Wood (ACL injury) they have a shot at beating Grand Blanc. Grand Blanc has three very good players but they aren’t the same as in past years. The Wildcats have a shot as mentioned but they need to play very well if they want to get to the regionals.
Southfield Arts and Tech: The Warriors are going to be the C team in District 26. Southfield Arts and Tech will have a rematch with North Farmington in the district semifinals. In talking to Sean Cotter, he mentioned that the Warriors are a very dangerous team and could give the Raiders problems which they did in the first matchup but North Farmington found a way and won that game. Southfield Arts and Tech will need to shore up the defense to have a shot against the Raiders. If they do then they could get that matchup with Farmington Hills Mercy in the district finals. Southfield Arts and Tech has a chance but they need to beat North Farmington in order to get to where they want to go.
Troy: The Colts have had a ton of growing pains and injuries this season. They will be the C team in District 27. They will play Seaholm in the district semifinals which looks very interesting. If the Colts can get to the district finals which looks very manageable then it could help them going into the future win or lose.
Groves: The Falcons are in a very tough spot in the postseason. They are the A team in District 27 despite beating Seaholm in the regular season. Groves will play Bloomfield Hills in the pre-district and if they can win that game they will see Birmingham Marian on the Mustangs home court in the district semifinals. The Falcons if they can get by Bloomfield Hills has a shot to beat Birmingham Marian but they will need to play very well to do so. There always is a chance but it’s a tough chore for Groves to see if they can win this district.
Stoney Creek: The Cougars could not get the two seed in District Six with Utica Eisenhower’s blowout win over St. Clair Shores Lakeview on Friday night. That means that Stoney Creek will be the B team in the district. The Cougars were the top seed in the district when they fell to Lake Orion whom was the A team last season. Stoney Creek will play Adams in the pre-district with the winner seeing Rochester in the district semifinals and whomever wins that matchup sees Utica Eisenhower. The Cougars are in a very similar boat as Lake Orion was last season at this time.
Clarkston: The Wolves are locked into the number two seed in District Five despite having home court. They will likely see Waterford Mott in the district semifinals. Clarkston will likely see arch rival Lake Orion in the district finals in what should be a very interesting matchup with the Dragons.
Rochester: The Falcons have had a really good season. They will have the number one seed in District Six but a very challenging path is ahead of them. Rochester has home court and a lot of motivation if they want to snap a four year district final losing streak. They could see Stoney Creek in the district semifinals and possibly Utica Eisenhower in the district finals. If the Falcons want to win the district crown then they would have to go through two very good teams to get there.
Lake Orion: The Dragons have had a really good season. Lake Orion is locked into the number one seed in District Five. They will get either Pontiac or Waterford Kettering in the district semifinals with likely seeing Clarkston in the district finals. Lake Orion will be a very interesting team to watch in the postseason.
West Bloomfield: The Lakers are locked into the number one seed in District Seven. The defending Division One State Champs will see either Walled Lake Central or Walled Lake Western in the district semifinals. They should get to the district finals and see either Lakeland or Walled Lake Northern. West Bloomfield should be riding with confidence heading into the postseason.
