by Becky Andrus | Jun 7, 2022 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Saturday June 4th at 9:15 PM
By Sammy Taormina
Here is my insight previewing the Girls Soccer regionals this week.
Region 2 @ Novi
LAKE ORION vs BLOOMFIELD HILLS
Farmington Hills Mercy vs Hartland
THOUGHTS/INSIGHT: This is a rematch of a 4-0 Blackhawks victory over the Dragons a few weeks ago. Bloomfield Hills is fresh off their first district title since 2019 after winning over Walled Lake Northern 3-0 at West Bloomfield. The Blackhawks played with 10 players with one getting a red card in the district finals. Lake Orion won their second straight district title with a 1-0 victory over a red hot Oxford program that had been rolling. It’s a clash of different styles at Novi and whose style wins out heads to the regional final. On the other side of the bracket, it’s an interesting matchup between defending State Champs Hartland and proven Catholic League power Farmington Hills Mercy.
PICK: It’s going to be a tough chore for whoever wins the Dragons/Blackhawks matchup. Hartland is the defending State Champs. The Dragons played the Eagles really tough in the regional final last season but Hartland’s size was too much for them. Bloomfield Hills will give Lake Orion a ton of problems. I don’t really see anyone beating the Eagles. Hartland should head to the State Semifinals riding with a lot of confidence.
Region 4 @ Adams
ROCHESTER vs New Baltimore Anchor Bay
TROY ATHENS vs Fraser
THOUGHTS/INSIGHT: This is a very interesting regional. Rochester remains unbeaten after winning a hard earned district by beating three State ranked teams in Adams, Romeo, and Stoney Creek. Their reward is another test against a very good New Baltimore Anchor Bay squad in the regional semifinals. Both the Falcons and Tars have wins over Troy Athens whom won their district with a pair of 1-0 games over Troy and Seaholm. Fraser really wasn’t tested until the district finals where they won 3-1 over St. Clair Shores Lakeview but the Ramblers have a huge test awaiting them against the Red Hawks.
PICK: I see a rematch of sorts but it will be Troy Athens vs New Baltimore Anchor Bay. Rochester and the Tars will be a heck of a regional semifinals but they have the deep postseason experience which should be the difference. I think the Red Hawks get revenge and move onto the State Semifinals.
by Becky Andrus | Jun 6, 2022 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Saturday June 4th at 9:30 PM
By Sammy Taormina
This my preview on the Softball Regionals that take place this weekend.
Region 6 @ Farmington Hills Mercy
BERKLEY vs St. Clair Shores Lakeview
Farmington Hills Mercy vs Grosse Pointe North
THOUGHTS/INSIGHT: This is shaping to be a very interesting regional at Farmington Hills Mercy. Three teams haven’t allowed a run in their respected districts which that is expected to change. Berkley was the only team in this regional that allowed some runs. They won their district over Royal Oak and Ferndale by a combined 24-5. St. Clair Shores Lakeview won their district over Warren Cousino and Warren Mott by a combined 31-0. Farmington Hills Mercy won their district over Farmington and Seaholm by a combined 25-0. Grosse Pointe North won their district over Detroit Western and Detroit Cass Tech by a combined 34-0.
PICK: Farmington Hills Mercy has home field in this regional and it should pay dividends. I like Berkley to get to the regional final over St. Clair Shores Lakeview. I see the Marlins winning this regional over the Bears because of pitching.
Region 7 @ Oxford
NORTH FARMINGTON vs Walled Lake Northern
ADAMS vs LAKE ORION
THOUGHTS/INSIGHT: This is a very interesting regional at Oxford where the Red, White, and the second best teams in the White and Lakes Valley Conference. Lake Orion has been rolling. They won their district with their high octane offense. The Dragons outscored Waterford Kettering and Clarkston by a combined 30-10 including a stunning 11-5 win over a very good Wolves program in the district finals. Adams has been playing very good softball. The Highlanders beat Avondale and Stoney Creek by a combined 15-3 in their district. North Farmington has also been playing very well coming into the regional. The Raiders have been rolling in their district outscoring both West Bloomfield and Bloomfield Hills by a combined 21-6. Walled Lake Northern has been battle tested. The Knights beat Milford 5-2 in the district semifinals and earned a 2-0 district final victory over Lakeland.
PICK: This is an interesting district. I think Lake Orion gets by Adams with their high octane offense. I see Walled Lake Northern and North Farmington being a tight game with the Knights moving on to the regional finals. I think the Dragons have just too much hitting and should move onto the State Quarterfinals.
Region 14 @ Hazel Park
HARPER WOODS vs Center Line
Detroit Cesar Chavez Academy vs Detroit Mumford
THOUGHTS/INSIGHT: This is an interesting regional at Hazel Park. Three of the four teams that are in this regional just had to play a district final including Harper Woods. The Pioneers won 18-3 over Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy on the road. Center Line is the only team in this regional to play two different district opponents. The Panthers won their district by outscoring Eastpointe and Hazel Park by a combined 30-4. Detroit Cesar Chavez Academy won 21-3 over Detroit Martin Luther King in their district finals. Detroit Mumford had to survive Detroit Lincoln in a high scoring game 15-11. This regional has a ton of storylines to watch.
PICK: Center Line has been very dominant. I see no reason why the Panthers shouldn’t win this regional with ease over Detroit Cesar Chavez Academy.
by Becky Andrus | Jun 6, 2022 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Saturday June 4th at 9:15 PM
By Sammy Taormina
Here is my insight on the Baseball Regional matchups.
Harper Woods vs Grosse Isle @ Trenton: The Pioneers have been rolling. They really didn’t have much competition in their district outscoring both Detroit East English Village Prep and Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy by a combined 37-0. Grosse Isle will prove to be a much bigger challenge for Harper Woods. It’s going to be a tough one for the Pioneers. The winner will head to Livonia Franklin to play either Jackson Northwest or Milan in the next round.
Groves vs Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit @ Troy Athens: The Falcons pulled off the stunning district victory at Troy Athens. They outscored Warren Mott and Royal Oak by a combined 23-2 in their district semifinals and finals. Groves should be tested against Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit. The Cubs won their district with ease shutting out Ferndale 12-0 in the district finals. It’s going to be a very tough matchup for the Falcons. The winner heads to Detroit at Wayne State to take on Warren De LaSalle or Grosse Pointe North in the next round.
Adams vs Lake Orion @ Rochester: This is a rematch of the Red title series with the Highlanders taking the Red and two of three from the Dragons. Lake Orion has been on a roll. They outscored Waterford Mott and Oxford by a combined 27-4 in their postseason run. Adams has outscored Romeo and Utica Eisenhower by a combined 11-3 in their district. This is a rematch a lot of people are looking forward but the winner will likely see Orchard Lake St. Marys at Novi in the
by Becky Andrus | Jun 6, 2022 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Every school has their tradition in every sport. This is what makes high school sports one of the greatest traditions in our lifetimes. Here are some noticeable traditions around the OAA.
The Deer-Head (Troy): When going to a Colts sporting event, the deer head always finds a way to make an appearance. The deer head is named Canela. Now there are some detractors to say why the deer head is at Troy games. Here is an article describing the traditional deer head.
https://troychariot.org/5406/features/deer-pressure/
The Soldiers of Fortune (Rochester): The Falcons student section for games is called “The Soldiers of Fortune.” Rochester students bring out a pirate flag which is their main logo. The students go all in and cheer on their Falcons during games. The flag and the students is what makes the tradition continue now and into the future.
https://twitter.com/SOFisgood/photo
The Jungle (Clarkston): Pretty much during a boys basketball game, “the Jungle” is out in full force making things miserable for opponents whether at Clarkston High School or on the road. The students usually dress in camouflage which has been the tradition however they have changed things up in the past. The Jungle is one of the best student sections in the State.
“Enter Sandman” (Lake Orion): When Bob Brydges took over the Lake Orion Girls Basketball program in 2018. His teams always came out to “Black and Yellow” by Wiz Khalifa when he was at Bloomfield Hills Lahser. Brydges thought of “Enter Sandman” by Metallica as the Dragons entrance. Whenever that music hits the Dragons are not that far behind.
The Highlander Bang Pipes (Adams): When going to an Adams sporting event there is someone that is in Highlanders attire. He would play his Scottish bang pipes whether it is on the football field or on the basketball court before the team comes out. It has been a tradition at Adams. It is an awesome tradition to see at Highlanders home games.
Dragon Banner (Lake Orion): The Dragons have one of the best traditions is the Dragon banner where the football players run down the tunnel to touch the banner while cheerleaders and dance team lead the charge while the Marching Band plays “Push On” (Dragons school song.) The Dragon faithful is on their feet cheering the team with some of them painted up while the Dragon Moms make the tunnel with two others hold the banner for the players to touch when they come on the field. It’s a great tradition for the players to do for every home game.
American Flag (Clarkston): The Wolves have one of the best traditions in football. They come out of their tunnel with one of the players holding the American Flag while another has the Clarkston flag and everyone else touches the Clarkston football banner. One of the best traditions in football as mentioned.
Wildcat head (Oxford): This is a new tradition started at Oxford in the last two years. The Wildcats usually announce the offensive starters during the pre-game. Oxford players walk the long path down the hill to the south end of the field but now there is a Wildcat head with smoke leading them to the field. The Wildcats have one of their players running with an American Flag while another player has the Oxford O they run with to the field. It’s a great tradition and a strong symbol of Oxford football.
Warriors Marching Band (Southfield Arts and Tech): The Warriors band is one of the best bands in the OAA. They are on the south side of the field. Some folks want to see the band play along with the varsity team.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCuAIyNXMNc
Cougars Football Entrance (Stoney Creek): The Cougars football entrance is one of the most interesting in sports. Their football stadium is like a dome so the players have to walk the home bleachers to come to the football field. It’s a unique entrance but the Stoney Creek faithful, coaches, and players know how to make things work.
by orionontv | Jun 6, 2022 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Groves has their new Boys Basketball Coach and it’s a Familiar Face.
Written Friday June 3rd at 8:50 PM
By Sammy Taormina
Groves has their new Boys Basketball Coach and it’s familiar to Beverly Hills.
The Falcons named Marc West as their new coach. West takes over for Coach Benny White whom retired in April.
The move was confirmed by a very accurate source.
West was an assistant at Henry Ford College for three years 2019-2022 before making the move to come back to Beverly Hills.
West coached at Groves from 2014-2018 where he was 44-46 with the program. He won double digit games in his last three years with the program including 16 games in 2015-2016.
The Falcons went 13-8 last season. Groves fell to Birmingham Brother Rice in the district semifinals.
White was 42-39 overall in his four years with the program.
Groves has a young team coming back with proven experience. The Falcons have Elijah Yelder, Jack Abbott, Max Young, Brody Tushman, Miles McClary, Max Kramer, Josh Gibson, Josh Simpson, Ben Kostello, Nash Gilbert, Raymond Pope, and Brett Russell coming back.
West will have program strength as well.
Groves will be in the White with Farmington, Bloomfield Hills, West Bloomfield, Troy, and Lake Orion next season. The district is unknown at this time. The MHSAA is expected to release the districts in June.
Thoughts
I really like the West hire for Groves. He is very familiar with the program. West brings a lot of stability for a program that needs it and brings college experience when he was an assistant at Henry Ford College.
West is a familiar face that comes back into the OAA.
Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest on this developing story.
by Becky Andrus | May 16, 2022 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Around the OAA.
This is a blog that is devoted to the OAA. We cover 23 schools from Oakland County to Wayne County. From Oxford to Harper Woods. This blog will give insight and projections around the OAA.
Sunday, May 15, 2022
Written Sunday May 15th at 11:20 AM
By Sammy Taormina
Here are the district matchups and insight for Girls Soccer.
District 5 at Lake Orion
CLARKSTON vs. OXFORD
Davison vs. 2. Grand Blanc
Flushing vs. Lapeer
Flushing/Lapeer vs. 1. LAKE ORION
EARLY THOUGHTS: This is a very interesting district at Lake Orion. I think five teams really stand out in Oxford, Lake Orion, Clarkston, Grand Blanc, and Davison. The Dragons won this district last season and have the talent to do it again despite their record. Oxford has had a stellar season thus far. Grand Blanc is Grand Blanc. Clarkston has done well this season. Davison has been playing well as of late. This should be a fun district to watch as mentioned.
District 6 at West Bloomfield
Walled Lake Central vs. Lakeland
Waterford Kettering vs. 2. Walled Lake Northern
Waterford Mott vs. WEST BLOOMFIELD
Waterford Mott/WEST BLOOMFIELD vs. 1. BLOOMFIELD HILLS
EARLY THOUGHTS: This is shaping up to be a very interesting district at West Bloomfield. I think there are three teams in Walled Lake Central, Walled Lake Northern, and Bloomfield Hills that really stands out. Waterford Mott is a possible darkhorse. I don’t think any other schools really stand out besides the three mentioned above but anything is possible.
District 7 at North Farmington
FARMINGTON vs. Walled Lake Western
NORTH FARMINGTON vs. 2. Farmington Hills Mercy
Novi vs. SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH
Novi/SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH vs. 1. Livonia Stevenson
EARLY THOUGHTS: This is a very interesting district shaping up at North Farmington. The early favorite is Livonia Stevenson. The Spartans have been solid but there are proven powers in Novi and Farmington Hills Mercy. North Farmington is a possible wildcard and could give the Marlins fits in the first round. I see a possible district final between Livonia Stevenson and Farmington Hills Mercy but things could change really quick.
District 13 at Troy
BERKLEY vs. Warren Mott
GROVES vs. 2. TROY
SEAHOLM vs. ROYAL OAK
SEAHOLM/ROYAL OAK vs. 1. TROY ATHENS
EARLY THOUGHTS: This is a very interesting district at Troy. The favorite has to be Troy Athens. The Red Hawks have had a strong season. There are some challengers to watch in Troy, Berkley, Seaholm, and Royal Oak. These four teams could give Troy Athens everything they can handle. Berkley and Groves are potential wildcards in this district. Warren Mott could struggle in this district but right now until anyone overcomes the Red Hawks this district is there’s to lose.
District 15 at Romeo
ADAMS vs. Utica Ford II
Romeo vs. 2. ROCHESTER
Utica vs. Utica Eisenhower
Utica/Utica Eisenhower vs. 1. STONEY CREEK
EARLY THOUGHTS: Dan Barnabo Field will host what likely would be considered “the Group of Death” in World Cup standards in the postseason. All seven of these teams are proven powers. Rochester, Stoney Creek, Adams, and Romeo are ranked in the State in Division One. It’s tough that only of these schools will move on. This is a fun district to watch in Girls Soccer with a lot of proven programs.
District 23 at Fenton
Fenton vs. Brandon
Fenton/Brandon vs. 1. Lake Fenton
AVONDALE vs. Holly
AVONDALE/Holly vs. 2. Linden
EARLY THOUGHTS: This district should be very interesting. Fenton and Linden both stand out in this district but Avondale and Brandon are wildcards. Lake Fenton is the top seed but they have a really tough matchup in the district semifinals. I would give an early edge to the Tigers because of home field but the Eagles are right there with Fenton. Brandon has always been solid. Avondale is a wildcard as mentioned. All five teams have a great chance to win this district.
District 27 at Livonia Clarenceville
FERNDALE vs. Madison Heights Lamphere
FERNDALE/Madison Heights Lamphere vs. 1. Birmingham Marian
Detroit Renaissance vs. Livonia Clarenceville
Detroit Renaissance/Livonia Clarenceville vs. 2. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood
EARLY THOUGHTS: When looking at this district on paper, there is one team that stands out and that’s Birmingham Marian. The Mustangs are a proven power in Division Two so it’s clear that they should be the favorite to win this district. I don’t really see anyone in this district that can give Birmingham Marian any issues but it would be shocking if someone did.
at May 15, 2022 No comments:
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Friday, May 13, 2022
Written Friday May 13th at 6:15 PM
Here is my preview for Girls Tennis for the regional taking place this week.
Underlined: Projected Regional Champ.
Regional 4 at Livonia Churchill
FARMINGTON
SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH
Livonia Churchill
Dearborn
Dearborn Fordson
Dearborn Edsel Ford
Detroit Cass Tech
Farmington Hills Mercy
Livonia Stevenson
PROJECTED THREE TEAMS: Livonia Churchill, Farmington Hills Mercy, and Dearborn Edsel Ford.
Regional 5 at Troy
TROY
TROY ATHENS
ROYAL OAK
Fraser
St. Clair Shores Lakeview
Sterling Heights
Sterling Heights Stevenson
Utica Ford
Warren Mott
PROJECTED THREE TEAMS: Troy, Royal Oak, and Troy Athens.
Regional 6 at Utica Eisenhower
STONEY CREEK
Utica Eisenhower
Chippewa Valley
Macomb L’Anse Creuse
Macomb Dakota
Macomb L’Anse Creuse North
New Baltimore Anchor Bay
Port Huron Northern
Romeo
Utica
PROJECTED THREE TEAMS: Stoney Creek, Port Huron Northern, and Utica Eisenhower.
Regional 7 at Clarkston
CLARKSTON
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
LAKE ORION
OXFORD
ROCHESTER
ADAMS
WEST BLOOMFIELD
Walled Lake Northern
Waterford Kettering
White Lake Lakeland
PROJECTED THREE TEAMS: Bloomfield Hills, Clarkston, and Adams.
Regional 12 at North Farmington
NORTH FARMINGTON
AVONDALE
GROVES
SEAHOLM
Fenton
Flint Carman Ainsworth
Flint Kearsley
Holly
Swartz Creek
PROJECTED THREE TEAMS: Seaholm, Groves, and North Farmington.
Regional 13 at Grosse Pointe North
BERKLEY
FERNDALE
Detroit Renaissance
Grosse Pointe North
Grosse Pointe South
Hamtramck
Port Huron
Warren Cousino
Warren Woods Tower
PROJECTED THREE TEAMS: Grosse Pointe South, Grosse Pointe North, and Berkley.
Regional 20 at Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood
HARPER WOODS
Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood
Birmingham Marian
Dearborn Divine Child
Birmingham Detroit Country Day
Detroit Mumford
Eastpointe
Garden City
Hazel Park
Madison Heights Lamphere
Warren Fitzgerald
PROJECTED THREE TEAMS: Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood, Birmingham Marian, and Birmingham Detroit Country Day.
at May 13, 2022 No comments:
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Written Friday May 13th at 3:10 PM
Here is my early regional thoughts for Boys Lacrosse.
Regional 4 at Seaholm (Birmingham)
- Livonia Stevenson vs. 5. FARMINGTON UNITED
- BIRMINGHAM UNITED vs. 7. Detroit Cass Tech
- Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit vs. 6. ROYAL OAK
- Livonia Stevenson/5. FARMINGTON UNITED vs. 1. Birmingham Brother Rice
REGIONAL OUTLOOK: There were some changes to this regional. Royal Oak is in this regional after they were supposed to be in a different regional and division. The Ravens would have a tough matchup with Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit. Birmingham Brother Rice is the overwhelming favorite in this regional but Birmingham could give them a scare in the regional final but it won’t be enough. I see the Warriors moving on to the State quarterfinals with ease.
Regional 5 at Troy Athens
- CLARKSTON vs. 8. Utica Ford
- Macomb L’Anse Creuse North vs. 5. New Baltimore Anchor Bay
- Macomb Dakota vs. 7. Sterling Heights Stevenson
- TROY ATHENS vs. 6. Chippewa Valley
REGIONAL OUTLOOK: This is a very interesting regional but one team really stands out in Clarkston. The Wolves are state ranked and should cruse in this regional. Macomb Dakota could challenge but I don’t really see anyone beating the Wolves in this regional.
Regional 6 at Romeo
- LAKE ORION vs. 8. Utica Eisenhower/Utica
- Romeo vs. 5. ROCHESTER
- STONEY CREEK vs. 7. OXFORD
- ADAMS vs. 6. Port Huron United
REGIONAL OUTLOOK: This is looking to be a very competitive regional. Lake Orion is the favorite but this is not the same Dragons program as in the past when they were in the State semifinals in the last two years. Adams has been solid. They are a sleeper in this regional. Stoney Creek is the second seed but they haven’t played the schedule as what Lake Orion and Adams have done in the Red. I’m not sold on Port Huron despite getting the three seed. I see for now a Lake Orion/Adams regional final with the Dragons moving on.
Regional 7 at Hartland
- WEST BLOOMFIELD vs. 9. Waterford United
- WEST BLOOMFIELD/9. Waterford United vs. 1. Hartland
- Linden/Fenton vs. 5. Brandon/Holly
- Walled Lake United vs. 7. TROY
- Huron Valley vs. 6. BLOOMFIELD HILLS
REGIONAL OUTLOOK: This is a very interesting regional. Brandon/Holly enters this regional and could give Linden/Fenton some trouble in the first round. They need to be very careful of Bloomfield Hills, I think Bloomfield Hills could pose an upset against Huron Valley and give Walled Lake United all they can handle in the regional semifinals. Hartland has the top seed, state ranked, and home field. They should cruse into the State quarterfinals.
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