by Becky Andrus | May 16, 2022 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
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.
Tuesday, May 10, 2022
Written Tuesday May 10th at 8:45 PM
By Sammy Taormina
Track regionals start next week. Here is the early regional preview and insight coming in. This column will change.
Regional 7 at Farmington
FARMINGTON
BERKLEY
GROVES
SEAHOLM
WEST BLOOMFIELD
NORTH FARMINGTON
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
OAK PARK
ROYAL OAK
SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH
Birmingham Brother Rice
Farmington Hills Mercy
Livonia Churchill
Livonia Franklin
Livonia Stevenson
Redford Thurston
BOYS PREVIEW: This is a loaded regional with a lot of strong competition. Livonia Churchill is the early favorite with the distance and just enough field events to do very well. Farmington should be Livonia Churchill’s toughest challenger in the regional. The Falcons are coming off a win in the Blue/Gold league meet. Bloomfield Hills has the sprints to be in the conversation. Oak Park and West Bloomfield are wildcards. Royal Oak is another darkhorse as well. The Ravens could challenge Livonia Churchill in the distance. On paper right now Livonia Churchill looks like they are the team to beat but in a regional like this it’s anyone’s regional.
GIRLS PREVIEW: This regional looks to be very interesting. Could Oak Park be on upset alert??? The Knights have the hurdles, the sprints, and the distance to win this regional. Bloomfield Hills has a really good girls program and could be a player in this regional. Royal Oak is a darkhorse, they have the distance and they beat Oak Park in a dual meet earlier in the season. Seaholm is the wildcard with their distance. Farmington could also be a player especially taking the Knights to the max at the Blue/Gold meet. Oak Park is the favorite but watch for Bloomfield Hills, Royal Oak, Farmington, and Seaholm, they could give the Knights everything they can handle.
Regional 9 at Lapeer
CLARKSTON
LAKE ORION
OXFORD
ROCHESTER
ADAMS
STONEY CREEK
AVONDALE
Lapeer
Fenton
Holly
Walled Lake Northern
Waterford Kettering
Waterford Mott
White Lake Lakeland
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s
BOYS PREVIEW: This is a very interesting regional. The early favorite is Lake Orion whom is coming off a Red/White league title. The Dragons have a ton of balance in the sprints, relays, distance, and field events. Walled Lake Northern is a very dangerous team. The Knights have the balance especially in the distance. Adams is another scary team as well. The Highlanders are loaded in the hurdles and have just enough sprints, field events, and distance to go against the two other contenders. This regional looks to be a three team race between Lake Orion, Adams, and Walled Lake Northern. It should be very interesting to watch as mentioned.
GIRLS PREVIEW: This is a very interesting regional. The early favorite is Oxford and for good reason. The Wildcats have enough depth elsewhere but the throws are their strength and where they could have the biggest impact. Lake Orion is a sleeper to watch as is Adams and Walled Lake Northern. This regional could go any of four ways but Oxford is the favorite to win this regional.
Regional 10 at Macomb Dakota
TROY
TROY ATHENS
Chippewa Valley
Fraser
Macomb L’Anse Creuse
Macomb Dakota
Macomb L’Anse Creuse North
New Baltimore Anchor Bay
Port Huron
Port Huron Northern
Romeo
Sterling Heights
Sterling Heights Stevenson
Utica Eisenhower
Utica
Utica Ford II
BOYS PREVIEW: This could be a very interesting regional in Macomb County. There are three teams having very strong chances in Chippewa Valley, Troy, and New Baltimore Anchor Bay to win this regional. The Big Reds have the sprints and relays but the distance is the question mark surrounding Chippewa Valley. Speaking of the distance events, they could be very interesting between the Tars and the Colts. Macomb Dakota looks to be the wildcard. The Cougars have the top three throwers coming into this regional. Chippewa Valley looks to be the favorite on paper but don’t count out New Baltimore Anchor Bay or Troy. This could be a very tight regional.
GIRLS PREVIEW: When looking at this regional the favorite has to be Macomb Dakota for a ton of reasons. The Cougars have home field and has at competitor in the top five heading into the regional. They have balance everywhere in the lineup. New Baltimore Anchor Bay stands to be the Cougars toughest challenger in the regional. Romeo and Troy could be darkhorses to watch. Macomb Dakota stands to be the team to watch in the regional.
Regional 18 at Hazel Park
FERNDALE
FERNDALE UNIVERSITY
HARPER WOODS
Hazel Park
Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood
Birmingham Marian
Birmingham Detroit Country Day
Center Line
Detroit Denby
Detroit East English Prep
Harper Woods Chandler Park
Madison Heights Lamphere
St. Clair Shores South Lake
Warren Fitzgerald
Warren Regina
Warren Lincoln
BOYS PREVIEW: Is there anyone in this regional that can beat Birmingham Detroit Country Day??? The Yellow Jackets are favored in almost every event. Harper Woods stands to be the toughest challenger to Birmingham Detroit Country Day and even they don’t have the depth and balance to match up with the Yellow Jackets. This regional looks to be a Birmingham Detroit Country Day rout.
GIRLS PREVIEW: This is shaping up to be a very interesting regional. There are two teams in Birmingham Detroit Country Day and Warren Regina that have great shots to win this regional. The Yellow Jackets have the sprints while the Satellites are loaded in the distance. Madison Heights Lamphere is the wildcard. The Rams are a sleeper especially in the hurdles. This regional could come down to the field events where Ferndale could get some points in the throws. I would give a slight edge to the Yellow Jackets, just a little too much balance right now.
Regional 19 at Williamston
PONTIAC
Williamston
Corunna
Flint Powers
Flint
Fowlerville
Goodrich
Haslett
Lake Fenton
Lansing Eastern
Lansing Sexton
Linden
Brandon
Owosso
Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
St. Johns
BOYS PREVIEW: This is shaping up to be a very interesting regional in Ingham County. This looks like it could be a two team regional. Linden is loaded in the distance. Corunna has a very strong sprinting, throwing, and hurdle core. Flint Powers is the wildcard and could spoil some things. The Cavaliers is the early favorite because of their sprinting, throwing and hurdle core. If they can get just enough distance to neutralize the Eagles then they should win this regional.
GIRLS PREVIEW: This is shaping up to be a very interesting three team regional. Linden has the sprints to do very well in this meet. Fowlerville has a very strong hurdle program and could make some noise. Goodrich is another program to watch with them loaded in the relays. If this comes down to the field events I would give an edge to the Martians to win this regional. Goodrich is the favorite to win this regional but Fowlerville and Linden are right there in the mix.
by Becky Andrus | May 16, 2022 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Friday May 13th at 3:10 PM
By Sammy Taormina
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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by Becky Andrus | May 16, 2022 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Friday May 13th at 6:15 PM
By Sammy Taormina
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.
by Becky Andrus | May 9, 2022 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
The MHSAA made more changes during their spring meetings in Gaylord on Friday afternoon.
The most noticeable changes will be in football with the intro of instant replay. The coaches will have one challenge very similar to the NFL. They can challenge incomplete passes, laterals, and targeting calls along with other things. If they lose the challenge they will lose a timeout. Also players can wear shoulder pads when they are at camps.
Basketball will switch seasons with the boys going first for two years in 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school years because of Michigan State possibly hosting Women’s NCAA Tournament games.
Baseball and softball will have two separate sight selection committees to determine where the district and regional rounds will be played.
In hockey, they will use the MPR system to seed the entire regional.
In golf, the number of strokes goes down from 12 to 10 and they will be allowed two coaches to be present during postseason competition.
In soccer, the two top seeds can host games if they are not played at the prearranged host site.
In Middle School track and field, they could conduct regionals starting next year.
The fifth quarter rule was addressed as well. The MHSAA Representative Council approved a Soccer committee recommendation allowed athletes to play no more than three halves on a day not followed by a school day. They also approved that violators of the fifth quarter rule must forfeit the game and that the head coach would have to sit out a game. Also the fifth quarter rule would be applied to Middle School Basketball as well.
It will be very interesting to see what happens but several of these changes are huge. We shall see what happens.
Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest on this developing story.
Here is the press release from the MHSAA Representative Council.
https://secondhalf.mhsaa.com/topics/mhsaa-news/rep-council-approves-new-hockey-classification-procedure-wrestling-weights-spring
by Becky Andrus | Apr 11, 2022 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Monday April 4th at 7:30 PM
Updated Monday April 4th at 9:30 PM
There will be a new Boys Basketball Coach next winter at Bloomfield Hills.
Blackhawks coach Phil Kurajian has stepped down from the program. The move was confirmed on Kurajian’s personal Twitter on Monday evening.
“The past five years have been an amazing journey and I’m extremely proud of what our student athletes have been able to accomplish on and off the court and in the classroom. Unfortunately due to advances and time constraints in my professional career, I must step down as the Head Varsity Coach at Bloomfield Hills High School. I want to thank the outstanding young men I was blessed to coach, the Bloomfield Hills administration and community for letting me be a part of the Blackhawk family and a special thank you to our District Athletic Director Mike Cowdrey for his belief and unwavering support” said Kurajian in a statement on Twitter.
Kurajian said to Hometown Life’s Brandon Folsom that the reason he stepped down was because he was taking on a much bigger role with his family’s food packaging business and will be traveling more.
He also became a father in which he has a one year old daughter at home.
Kurajian was 47-62 overall with two league titles (White) in his five years coaching the program. He led Bloomfield Hills to a 16-5 year this season.
The Blackhawks lose a lot of talent from this season’s team but they have Noah Adamcyzk, CJ Jackson, Derrick Lee, Ahmad Taylor, and Brandon Newland coming back for whoever the new coach will be.
Program strength looks very strong for Bloomfield Hills in the future as well.
Kurajian did a lot of good for that program. He took over the Blackhawks and made them into a better program. It will be interesting to see who takes over next season.
Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest on this developing story.
Here is the Tweet confirming the move.
https://twitter.com/flipk9/status/1511119378695208974/photo/1
Folsom article.
https://www.hometownlife.com/story/sports/2022/04/04/bloomfield-hills-boys-basketball-coach-phil-kurajian-steps-down/9463613002/
by Becky Andrus | Mar 29, 2022 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
MHSAA Making Some Changes.
The MHSAA Representative Council made some huge moves on Tuesday morning.
The League approved several new measures last week at their winter meetings. Some of which are huge changes.
The League approved a basketball resolution going from 20 games to 22 basketball games and cut down on preseason practice time from 21 days to 14 days.
“Thank you to the MHSAA Representative Council on approving 22 games for next season. The BCAM (Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan) leadership has made it a top priority for many years. Today is a great day for the coaches and players in the State of Michigan.” said BCAM Executive Director Dan Young on Twitter.
Other proposals that were approved included postseason divisions that are more reflective of the number of schools that actively sponsor teams for that season.
In football, teams can opted up a division after the spring release of the annual classifications. It will be a two year thing and require the Executive Committee’s approval. The school would then need to show proof why they want to move up a division.
In hockey, there will be a 2,000 student increase in Co-Op programs which will allow 5,500 students for hockey only.
In track and field, those that are in a wheelchair can compete in the 100, 200, 400, and shot put for the tournament season.
In swimming, there will be a 100 yard freestyle race that will be added to the state finals for Paralympic athletes.
In baseball and softball, the districts will be allowed to start the week before Memorial Day.
Thoughts
I like the basketball move from 20 to 22 games. It’s a long time coming in my opinion. It gives more teams the chance to play more games before the postseason.
I also like the wheelchair events for track and field student-athletes. It gives them a chance to compete and showcase their talents. It brings inclusion to the fold.
In Football, moving up a division is going to be very interesting to watch and see. I’ll be curious to see which teams want to move up.
I think that will help. In all it makes sense and the Representative Council did the right thing heading into this spring and next season.
Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest on this developing story.
Here is the article from the MHSAA.
https://secondhalf.mhsaa.com/topics/mhsaa-news/rep-council-approves-expanded-basketball-schedules-classification-changes-winter
