Winter Contact Sports Are Back

by Becky Andrus | Feb 8, 2021 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

Inside the OAA

Covering all 22 OAA teams with insight and thoughts on each team from Northern Oakland County to Southern Oakland County.

Thursday, February 4, 2021

Winter Contact Sports Are Back.

Written Thursday February 4th at 4:30 PM

Winter contact sports are back.

During her press conference on Thursday afternoon, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that she along with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) was going to allow contact Winter Sports to start practicing and competing Monday with safeguards in place.

Participants including players, coaches, and staff are required to wear a mask during in play and on the bench. Those sports without masks, particularly wrestling will be required to go through COVID-19 testing.

The MDHHS recommended that players only allow two per player for spectators or 250 for smaller venues, 500 for bigger venues.

The five contact sports include Boys and Girls Basketball, Wrestling, Hockey, and Competitive Cheer

Contact sports were banned on November 18^th when Whitmer and then director Robert Gordon announced “the pause.” The remaining fall sports were paused played a few weeks ago because the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced that there was an antigen testing program that tested the remaining fall sports athletes that were still playing.

Today was a great day for everyone involved, players, parents, coaches, staff, athletic directors, superintendents.

Important Dates.

Basketball/hockey: Monday Feb 8^th (Practices/Competitions)

Cheer/Wrestling: Friday Feb 12^th (Practices/Competitions)

MHSAA Tournaments remain in place

Cheer/Hockey March 27^th

Wrestling April 2^nd/3^rd

Basketball (will run together) Girls M/W/F Boys T/R/S Girls April 9^th, Boys April 10^th

Face masks worn at all times (Basketball/Hockey/Cheer)

Wrestling- MDHHS (rapid testing on days of meets) compete One to Two times a week

Cheer- masks (only time masks come off when tumbling/stumbling), without an opponent, physical contact.

Basketball six weeks of regular season, three games a week. (Can play when teams are eliminated.)

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

2021 Girls Basketball Preview

by Becky Andrus | Feb 4, 2021 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

Inside the OAA

Covering all 22 OAA teams with insight and thoughts on each team from Northern Oakland County to Southern Oakland County.

Friday, January 8, 2021

2021 Girls Basketball Preview.

Written Friday January 8th at 5:50 PM

Here are the 2021 previews for Girls Basketball in the OAA along with the top ten and outlooks heading into the season. If anything new comes up let me know at [email protected].

Here is the Top Ten and projected finish in order in each division to start the season. If you want to check the district page it is updated and I will have a link to that column.

Girls Basketball District page

https://sammy-taormina.blogspot.com/2020/09/girls-basketball-districts-are-out-2020.html

INSIDE THE OAA TOP TEN

1. West Bloomfield
2. Clarkston
3. Troy
4. Royal Oak
5. Lake Orion
6. Rochester
7. Stoney Creek
8. Adams
9. Groves
10. Oxford

Red

West Bloomfield: The Lakers have the most upside heading into the season and they have gotten a ton of attention. Coach Burt Mosley has turned West Bloomfield into a Girls Basketball power especially in the Red. The Lakers will be loaded with a ton of experience in Logan Lewis, Logan Chambers, Sydney Hendrix, and Myonna Hooper returning from a team that won the Red and a district title last season. West Bloomfield also added three impactful freshman in Kendall Hendrix, Indya, and Summer Davis. Hendrix has had a very strong summer in the AAU circuit as had both Davis sisters. They have made a ton of noise on the AAU circuit with the Michigan Storm during the summer. The Lakers have a lot to like in 2021. They took Hartland to the limit in the regional semifinals last season. West Bloomfield has the experience, youth, and drive to go along with program strength to be something special. The Lakers should be a force to be known.

Clarkston: The Wolves had a very successful year under Coach John Weyer last season getting to the regional semifinals before falling to Walled Lake Western. Weyer has done a wonderful job with the program building them up just like his PR1DE teams in the AAU world in his two seasons coaching at Flemings Lake Road. Clarkston will rely on their proven experience in 2021. The majority of his team has played on PR1DE which helps a ton. The Wolves will have Maddy Skourpski, Olivia Toderan, Izzy Hadley, Kaitlyn Kaul, Morgan Hunter, Megan Tolmie, Lena Eblenkamp, and Ryan Bordogna back. Clarkston lost one senior in Taylor Heaten to graduation. The wildcard is combo guard Ava Hernandez. Hernandez was solid last season in the junior varsity ranks. She is ready to prove that she can make an impact on varsity. The Wolves expect to make some noise this season and could threaten West Bloomfield in the Red.

Royal Oak: The Ravens have always been a defensive first program under Coach Brian Sopota. Royal Oak shocked Southfield Arts and Tech in the district semifinals after being blown out twice by the Warriors and their star player in Cheyenne McEvans in the regular season. They fell to Birmingham Marian in the district finals last season. There is a ton of optimism and questions heading into 2021 for Royal Oak. The Ravens are the classic “Batman and Robin.” Royal Oak will rely on three proven experienced players to carry them this season in combo guard/forward Sarah Soraghan. Soraghan is a pure scorer, can score in different ways basically playing the role of Batman. The Robin role is the question mark for Sopota and the Ravens. There are some talented players that could handle the role of Robin in Rexi Losemberg and Sarah Ammon. Program strength is very solid for Sopota despite having a ton of varsity inexperience this season. Royal Oak will need Soraghan to play well on a nightly basis and find someone like a Losemberg or an Ammon to play that Robin role. If they can do that with the defensive first mindset than there is no reason that the Ravens could be in the conversation.

Groves: The Falcons have made a ton of changes this offseason after falling to Southfield Arts and Tech in the pre-district. They made a huge splash by hiring AntJuan Simpkins to take over a program that has been up and down. Simpkins is well known for his run and gun at River Rouge and with the Michigan Storm AAU 2024 team. Groves has a ton of experience coming back in Kaitlyn Quinn, Rachel Sample, Destiny McCurdy, Loryn Middlebrooks, Peyton Blanford, Nevaeh Otis, Jordan Peterson, Ciara Racco, Alyssa Durrell, and Anaya Bracy-Robinson. The interior will be a huge question mark for the Falcons. Program strength is also a major concern going forward for Groves. If Simpkins can bring long term stability including in the sub-varsity with in the program then the Falcons could surprise some folks.

Southfield Arts and Tech: It has been a very surreal offseason for the Warriors. Southfield Arts and Tech lost Cheyenne McEvans and Jasmine Worthy to graduation. They were upset by Royal Oak in the district semifinals last season. It will be a new era for Warriors Girls Basketball in 2021. They have a new coach in Shaquita Coltrane. She takes over for Michelle Marshall whom retired this offseason. Coltrane comes to Southfield Arts and Tech from Southfield Bradford Academy and will look to make impact within the program. The Warriors have two proven starters in forward Jalyn Austin and point guard Kayonia Willis. Austin made some noise in 2019-2020 but now she will have a heavier workload. Willis had a very rough year in 2019-2020 but hopes a fresh start could help her gain some confidence this season. It looks like it’s going to be a very challenging season for Southfield Arts and Tech. It will take some time to adjust to life on both sides.

White

Troy: It was a very odd offseason for the Colts but there are some problems that the program needs to address. The big problem for Troy in the last two years has been in the postseason where they haven’t gotten past the district rounds despite earning the top seed in the district last season and also ironically both losses came to Utica. Bottom is that they haven’t gotten the job done in the postseason. The Colts hired Julius Porter as their new coach in May taking over for Simon Bato. Bato had a great career at Troy turning the program into a consistent power. Porter was an assistant coach under legendary Clarkston Boys Basketball coach Dan Fife. What helps Porter is that he has a program ready to prove themselves. He has a ton of proven experience in Kendall Zeiter, Kayla Rutledge, Charlotte Soboka, Alyssa Matuza, Lauren Gumma, Riya Chakravity, and Calen Knight. Program strength is very solid for the Colts as well. Porter walks into a great situation with program strength and proven returners. Just got to get some playoff success and Troy should be solid and ready to go.

Stoney Creek: The Cougars are in a very interesting spot heading into 2021. They had an up and down season which included a pre-district victory over Troy Athens but they had a very disappointing loss to Utica Eisenhower in the district semifinals last season. Coach Kellen James needs to replace Lily DiPanni as she has graduated from the program but he has a point guard who’s ready to take over for DiPanni in Mia Carson. Carson had an interesting year in a much lesser role last season but now she becomes the top guard for “Team Finebalm.” James has a ton of proven experience that is back in Sydney LaPrairie, Devin Vowels, Milana Skoric, Kendall Kahl, Jaiden Drake, Ella Demetral, Kierra Hall, and Paris Cramer. The Cougars will be very experienced heading into 2021. Program strength looks to be solid for “Team Finebalm.” Stoney Creek should be in the mix in the White.

Adams: The Highlanders are going to be an interesting team to watch in 2021. Adams was above 500 in the regular season winning 12 games. They had postseason wins over Waterford Kettering and Oxford but they are coming off a very tough loss to Clarkston in the district finals last season. The Highlanders have a ton of proven experience in Maggie Dolegina, Madison Kessman, Lauren Petersmark, Elizabeth Blaine, Abbey Drahnak, Snigdha Tenneri, Emma Klott, and Kate Elliot. The wildcard could be Anjayna Howard whom had a great year last season in the sub varsities as a freshman. Coach Shay Lewis has a ton of experience which helps things moving forward. Program strength is a concern though for Lewis. Adams should be in the mix for the White this season.

North Farmington: The Raiders had an interesting year last season getting to the district finals before falling to Farmington Hills Mercy. Coach Jeff Simpson will be very young in 2021. North Farmington will rely on four key player in Sela Lefler, Kelsey Newton, Penelope Creary, and Heaven Rogers. Rogers will be a key player in the interior. Lefler is a very solid combo guard. Creary is a solid defender and can score. Newton can shoot the ball and play point guard from time to time. Program strength is a huge question mark for Simpson and his team. The Raiders look like they are going to be your perfect Jekyll and Hyde squad this season.

Bloomfield Hills: The Blackhawks should be an interesting team to watch in 2021. Bloomfield Hills made a program change late and there are several unknowns to keep an eye on when it comes to the Blackhawks named Kristen Massey the new coach of the program. Massey brings a ton of experience as a player to the program. There are several questions for Bloomfield Hills heading into the season. It could be a challenging season for the program.

Blue

Lake Orion: The Dragons have been through a lot but there is a lot of upside surrounding this team and program. It was a trial by fire last season for them. They fell to Clarkston in the district semifinals last season. Lake Orion has a ton of proven experience and young talent that is back and ready to prove they belong. Coach Bob Brydges has done a great job building this program back up in his two seasons back behind the varsity bench. Brydges will have Meghan Marshall, Sydney Maddox, and Kierra Tierney as that veteran core along with proven young experience players in Maddie Ebbert and Kylie Heck. Katie Van Heck returns from an ACL injury and gives them a huge physical presence inside. The Dragons have a young sophomore class that made a ton of noise last season. Ebbert and Heck are sophomores along with newcomers Taylor Dinda and Regan Greene. Lake Orion has a nice blend of youth and experience that is ready to break out. There are not a lot of people talking or taking notice of this program on the rise.

Rochester: The Falcons are a very interesting program to keep an eye on this season and in the future. I give credit to coaches Bill Thurston and Jeff Haney for turning the program around. What Rochester did was schedule quality sub varsity programs when they went three division Blue and it seems to be paying off. The Falcons made a surprising run in the postseason out of nowhere. They upset Utica in the district semifinals before falling to Utica Eisenhower in the district final Thurston has stabilized everything from a coaching standpoint and has brought stability. Rochester has a ton of experience that returns from last season in Megan Lorenzo, Jackie Hurst, Anaya Rangarjian, and Brooke Gordon. The Falcons also have program strength. Rochester is a team that is built for the long hall and certainly a team to keep an eye on.

Oxford: It will be very interesting for the Wildcats and not because they are going to be in a different district by going north to Genesee and Lapeer counties. Oxford has several key returners coming back from a team that struggled last season because of inexperience. The big one returning is combo guard Mackenzie Methner. Methner got injured in the second half of the season and is back fully healthy. She will be alongside shooting guard Emma Morris. Morris is as talented as a shooter anyone in the league. Coach Rachel Bryer has Jordan Hung, Charlotte McClenaghan, Payton Szymanski, Brooke Zeiter, Miranda Wyneimeko, and Erianna Hubbard to go along with Methner and Morris. The Wildcats are going to be a pure Jekyll and Hyde team. Program strength is strong as well especially with a strong sophomore class. Oxford should be a team to watch.

Berkley: The Bears are going to be a very interesting team to watch this season. Coach Kirk Carolan has done a wonderful job turning Berkley into a contender. The Bears did beat Royal Oak last season which was a huge step in the right direction. Berkley returns several key players in Ashley Loon, Jillian Gomes, Sammi Withrow, Orgley Kreugel, Cassidy Gifford, Brooklyn Weems, and Tessa Voss. Program strength is a question mark though. They have had proven success in the sub varsity level. If Carolan can strengthen the sub varsity levels and add a freshman program, the program would be much better off in the future. The Bears should be in the mix for the Blue.

Avondale: It’s going to be very interesting for the Yellow Jackets in 2021. Avondale has had to deal with some demons especially in the postseason when it comes to one team in West Bloomfield. They have four times to the Lakers in the last two years even though they the White last season. The Yellow Jackets have three starters back for Coach Roy Christmon in Reigan Lawrence, Tanah Jackson, and Savannah Schmidt. These three players are going to need to be at their best every night for them to win games. Program strength is very suspect at best. Avondale is going to be very young and there are a ton of questions surrounding this program. It could be a very bumpy ride for Christmon and his Yellow Jackets this season.

Troy Athens: The Red Hawks were the second seed in the pre-district but fell to Stoney Creek last season. There are a ton of questions and some regrouping for Coach Stacie Klumpp’s program in 2021. They will need to replace 11 seniors from a squad that won 11 games in 2019-2020. Troy Athens has Nitaya Balusu, Ciara Shoales, and Gillian Clark back for what should be a very young team. The Red Hawks will need to get off to a fast start as they get adjusted to their new teammates. Troy Athens got off to a hot start early but they cooled off down the stretch. Program strength is a question mark for Troy Athens even though the Red Hawks will field three programs which adds to program strength. They have great coaches in the program. It could be a very challenging ride for Troy Athens this season.

Gold

Farmington: This could be the Falcons best team they have had in a while but there are some questions for the program that needs to be answered. Farmington has had great years and impactful players like Aaron Howell whom made noise in the past. They have done well in the lower divisions but once they get moved up they struggle. This is something that needs to be addressed along with program strength. The Falcons have a ton of proven experience back for Coach Lauren Guzman in Autumn Barnett, Sophia Holdwick, Lily Morrisette, Kenndi Jones, Val Pallett, Alyssa Simmons, Brielle Burns, Kaitlyn Carnac, and Madelyn Beckwitch. The Falcons were in the mix last season in the Gold. Farmington on paper is the favorite in the Gold but there will be some challengers. They will need to toughen up the non-league slate if they want to make some noise this season.

Seaholm: The Maples are going to be an interesting team to keep an eye on from a team that was in the Gold conversation last season. Seaholm has a ton of experience back for Coach Chris Manchester in Kate Sullivan, Kate Keifer, Gwyn Wiseman, Megan Blake, and Emily Jacoby. The wildcard is guard/forward Shay Manchester. Manchester is expected to make an impact for her father’s team. Seaholm has a ton of questions especially when it comes to program strength. They expect to be very competitive in the Gold this season.

Oak Park: The Knights had a very good regular season winning 13 games for Coach Peggy Evans-Carr but they ran into a very good Detroit Renaissance program in the pre-district last season. It could be very interesting how they can sustain it this season. Oak Park lost Kyla Wilson to graduation but Tamiya Todd is back and is expected to carry more of the load for the Knights. Program strength is a big concern for Evans-Carr but wonder if last season’s success could have an effect on the program. Oak Park will be a team to keep an eye on for sure.

Ferndale: The Eagles saw some improvement last season under Coach Keith Paris and program strength will certainly be tested again this season. Ferndale will have Zoe Rogers back for a team looking to take the next step building a program. Rogers will need to step up and take on more of a leading role for the Eagles. If Paris wants to take that next step he will certainly need to improve on things like the schedule and program development to be competitive.

Ferndale University: It will be a challenge by fire for the Golden Eagles and Coach Desdan Hester going into the OAA in 2021. Ferndale University won 11 games and beat Detroit Osborn from the postseason last season. The Golden Eagles don’t expect to be in the league mix this season but they could play the role of spoiler. It’s going to be a trial by fire for Hester and Ferndale University.

2021 Boys Basketball Preview

by Becky Andrus | Feb 4, 2021 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

Inside the OAA

Covering all 22 OAA teams with insight and thoughts on each team from Northern Oakland County to Southern Oakland County.

Friday, January 8, 2021

2021 Boys Basketball Preview.

Written Friday January 8th at 6:00 PM

Updated Sunday January 17th at 10:30 PM

Here are the 2021 previews for Boys Basketball in the OAA along with the top ten and outlooks heading into the season. If anything new comes up let me know at [email protected].

Here is the Top Ten and projected finish in order in each division to start the season. If you want to check the district page it is updated and I will have a link to that column.

Boys Basketball District page.

https://sammy-taormina.blogspot.com/2020/09/boys-basketball-districts-are-out-2020.html

INSIDE THE OAA TOP TEN.

1. North Farmington
2. Clarkston
3. Troy
4. Stoney Creek
5. West Bloomfield
6. Lake Orion
7. Troy Athens
8. Berkley
9. Bloomfield Hills
10. Adams

Red

North Farmington: The Raiders were up and down in the regular season but they did make a run in the postseason until COVID-19 ended everyone’s season. Coach Todd Negoshian would like to move on and focus on this season. They should be improved and could have a special year but there are weaknesses particularly on big courts. North Farmington tends to have problems with big courts in which spacing is limited in the famous Negoshian trap defense. The Raiders traditionally have used the small court to their advantage because of the trap but when they go on the road they struggle. North Farmington will have Basheer Jihad along with Aaron Rice, Jasper Beeler, Jacob Bosamara, and Deon Hayes along with Novi Christian transfer Blake Goodman. The wildcard looks to be combo guards Landon Williams and PJ Gardner. Williams and Gardner could bring a different dynamic and could get some minutes this season. Program strength is very solid for the Raiders and they are well coached in the sub varsity levels. North Farmington will have depth as well as Negoshian likes deep teams. It will be very interesting to see what the Raiders have with the experience they have back. There is no reason why this team shouldn’t be in the mix.

Clarkston: It was a very odd offseason for the Wolves because of COVID-19. They lost two key players in Fletcher Loyer and Matt Nicholson. Loyer transferred to Indiana and Nicholson to graduation where he is at Northwestern. Keegan Waslik returns for Coach Tim Waslik at forward. The Wolves besides Waslik really doesn’t have any true household names but there are others ready to contribute in Luke Scherler, Mike DePillo, Nathan Steinman, and Isayah Harris to go along with Waslik. Program strength has never been the issue as they have that once again even though they will have four freshman up on varsity including Zach Scherler, Brodie Kosin, and Zach Austin. Clarkston should be in the mix but it will be a much different Wolves team than in years past.

West Bloomfield: The Lakers are in a very interesting spot in 2021. West Bloomfield returns several key players from a program that was third in the Red. They are coming off a very heartbreaking loss to Waterford Mott in the district semifinals last season. The Lakers have Kipras Blazevicux, Ryan Hurst, and Michael Seay back at the guard positions. There are questions in the interior for Coach Jeremy Denha but with the program strength that should be covered and they are going to be strong well into the future. West Bloomfield should be in the conversation to contend in what is expected to be a wide open Red. The Lakers are certainly a rising program to keep an eye on this season.

Oak Park: The Knights are in a very interesting spot heading into 2021. They went through a transition this offseason after suffering a very tough loss to Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit in the pre-district last season. Oak Park has a new coach in Durand Sheppard. He takes over a program that has been very successful and is looking to keep improving each year. Sheppard has been a proven winner with “The Family” AAU program. He hopes to bring his winning ways to the Knights and in the very tough Red which there are no days off. Oak Park is going to be very young and inexperienced. The Knights could struggle early with the coaching transition but what helps is that the majority of his new program has played for “The Family” AAU program. Once he and his new program get on the same page they will be fine. Program strength is very good so there is some talent upcoming for Oak Park. The Knights will be a team to keep an eye on going forward.

Ferndale: This was the program that was the most impacted by COVID-19 is the Eagles. Ferndale had the makings of a State Championship squad in Division Two but they their season end like everyone else did because of COVID-19. The Eagles lost several key players to graduation including JayShawn Moore and Colin Golston whom are in colleges. Both were all state players in Division Two. Coach Juan Rickman will have a very challenging season ahead in 2021 with an inexperienced and not a deep lineup. Ferndale will need to rely heavily on three players in guards Trayvon Lewis, Romelo Hugley, and Caleb Renfroe. Lewis is expected gather the most attention while Hugley and Renfroe are going to need to step up their games and take over the production of Moore and Golston. The interior will be a major concern and especially being in the Red will make things that more challenging. Program strength is not good at all surrounding the Eagles. It could be a very challenging season for Rickman and Ferndale.

Farmington: It has been a very odd offseason for the Falcons besides what happened with COVID-19. They saw shocking departures after making the move to the Red this offseason with an experienced roster. Farmington is coming off a very successful regular season and picked up postseason victories over Birmingham Brother Rice and Seaholm but COVID 19 halted everyone’s dreams last season. The Falcons saw their offseason plans take a major hit when combo guard Jaden Atkins left Farmington to play at a prep school. Also Tariq Humes also left for a prep school as well. The Humes and Atkins departures puts Coach Terrance Porter and the Falcons in a really bad spot in 2021. Farmington will need their other proven experience to step up big time in Robert Davis and Paris Jackson. Program strength isn’t very strong and being in the Red doesn’t help things either. It could be a very long year for the Falcons.

White

Troy: The Colts are going to be a senior heavy team in 2021. They were ready to make another run deep into the postseason but COVID-19 happened to ruin everyone dreams including Troy. The Colts have a ton of proven experience in Ethan Emerzian, Jake Emerzian, D’Anthony Hamilton, Imad Hage, and Brody Parker for Coach Gary Fralick in his four guard-one big offense. The Colts have been a very successful program year in and year out. Depth could be a question mark but they have overcame that in the past. Troy will look to take that next step to get back to the State Quarterfinals back in 2016 with a senior heavy team. Program strength is solid but it will be very hard to replace the type of talent that the Colts will lose with this class. Troy should be the favorite in the White this season but beyond that is anyone’s guess at this time.

Stoney Creek: The Cougars have a lot of proven experience back from a team that had a ton of ups and down last year and saw their postseason run ended by COVID-19. Coach Steve Norgrove has been very successful and will look to continue that success into 2021. They have Trevor Smith, Lance Fogelberg, Jacob Felton, Grant Lowery, Alex Reiter, and David Angel. Smith is expected to get a ton of attention but the others mentioned are very talented players and can contribute. Program strength looks to be very solid as well for Stoney Creek. The Cougars have the talent to be very competitive and could make a serious run this season.

Bloomfield Hills: The Blackhawks come down from the Red after last season finishing tied for last with Lake Orion. Bloomfield Hills fell to Orchard Lake St. Marys in the district semifinals last season. They will look to make some noise in the White in 2021. They have one of the most premiered shooters in combo guard Mason Canfield returning to the mix. The Blackhawks have others that can make an impact as well besides Canfield. Coach Phil Kurajian has Noah Adamcyck, Jackson Willis, and Derrick Lee. Adamcyck is another shooter and combo guard while Willis gives them another option at the forward spot. Lee provides a post presence in the interior and should open things up for Canfield and Adamcyck. The wildcard looks to be a freshman combo guard in Mohamad Farahani. Farahani is a very good dribble driver and solid shooter. He is expected to fill a huge void that was left by Collin Hecker after he graduated last season. Program strength looks to be solid and they have Red experience as well for Kurajian. There could be some early growing pains for Bloomfield Hills with a young lineup but once they group they could make some noise. The Blackhawks will need to rely a ton on their three top players until they can gain some improvement upon their young talent. If they can get that then Bloomfield Hills could be a darkhorse in the White.

Adams: The Highlanders should be a better program after having a transitioning year in 2019-2020. They did have victories over Lake Orion and Oxford in the regular season despite finishing last in the White last season but they stayed in the division for 2021. Adams fell to Clarkston in the pre-district last season after stunning the Wolves in 2018-2019 in the very same round but that was with a different team but same school. Coach Jared Thomas has stabilized the program for the better. He has built back up the sub varsity programs as well which is a huge plus. The Highlanders have a ton of proven experience in Austin Brown, Ben Churmside, Justus Mims, Jacob Durand, Austin Yoon, and Jonathan Ursuy are back looking for some more. The Highlanders program strength is rising under Thomas as mentioned earlier. There are several underclassmen that could make the jump to varsity in Nick Paterra, William Gee, and Brady Prieskorn. Prieskorn brings the most upside especially with his IQ in the interior and he can shoot as well. Gee is a combo guard that can dribble drive and shoot. Paterra works very hard and can play either at the guard for forward spots. The Highlanders could make some noise this season. Thomas clearly has set a foundation heading into his second year.

Groves: The Falcons had a ton of bad luck losing a ton of close games and falling to Southfield Arts and Tech in the pre-district when they were up double figures but blew it last season. Coach Benny White should have a ton of experience that is back led by Daniel Lee along with Jack Woods but they took a hit when Chuck Bailey left the program for a prep school. Program strength and interior are question marks for White’s team. If they can address this then Groves should be okay this season.

Southfield Arts and Tech: The Warriors had a great year last season winning 16 games and picked up an emotional win over Groves but they were blown out by North Farmington in the district semifinals. The playoff loss should make Coach Darreyle Buchanan’s team that much better and hungrier to drive for more success. Program strength looks to be solid coming up with the sub varsity programs having good seasons last season. They might take a hit especially if returning players RaeQuan Lee and Caleb Banks leave early after the semester ends with football scholarships. Anthony Davis is also back and is ready for a more important role. If they both stay to go along with Davis, Southfield Arts and Tech should be in the mix but if they don’t then they could be around 500. This is going to be an inexperienced Warriors team heading into 2021 but they could surprise some folks. Southfield Arts and Tech is the perfect Jekyll and Hyde team.

Blue

Lake Orion: The Dragons are in a very interesting spot. They are going to be a very experienced team under Coach Joel Schroeder. Lake Orion took a ton of lumps in the Red which has harden them. The Dragons gained some postseason experience which included victories over Romeo and Waterford Kettering then COVID-19 ended their district dreams last season. Lake Orion lost Cameron Sutton, Drew Van Heck, and Dylan Boegheimer to graduation. They have a lot of proven experience in Nick Fisher, Will McClear, Andrew Bryant, Brendan Jones, Xander Blackney, Malachi Grandberry, Jeff Perkowski, and Alden Ritt. Schroeder is well known for having a ton of success with experienced teams especially when he was Pontiac. The Phoenix went 22-3 in 2018-2019 which included a district title and a regional final appearance. Program strength was very iffy for the Dragons in 2019-2020 but they should be better in 2021 when it comes to that area. Lake Orion is in a much better spot heading into Schroeder’s second year. With the Dragons in the Blue to go along with the proven experience they could very well take off.

Troy Athens: It was a good regular season for Coach Dave Scott and his program in 2019-2020 but the postseason was a different story after earning the top seed in the districts. Troy Athens beat Sterling Heights in the pre-district but they fell to Chippewa Valley in the district semifinals. The Red Hawks will look to be more fine-tuned heading into 2021. They are going in the same district as last season going into Macomb County dealing with the same teams they seen back then. The Red Hawks have a ton of proven experience as mentioned in Michael Justice, Jacob Thornton, Jordan Sebaugh, and Bryce Eaton. Program strength looks to be very strong. There are a ton of questions as well for Troy Athens and Scott especially when it comes to depth. The Red Hawks with their experience should be in the mix for the Blue title this season.

Berkley: The Bears are coming off a very good season last year winning 14 games but they had a tough postseason in which they lost to Detroit Mumford in the pre-district. There is a ton of optimism for Berkley heading into 2021. Their top three players return for Coach Joe Sermo including one who was out all of last season due to injury. They will have Arshad Walker back fully healthy. Walker is a dribble driver and good shot creator. Jacob Thomas and Joey McNamara are back for the Bears. Both of them are hardworking players and had very good seasons last season. Also back is Graham Colvin, Eli Steinbock, and Logan Haley. Interior play is a question mark for Sermo but they have the shooters and dribble drivers. Program strength is very strong for Berkley. The Bears will certainly be a team to watch.

Oxford: The Wildcats were a hot and cold team in the regular season but was blown out by Clarkston in the district semifinals last season. They lost a very talented player in Trey Townsend to graduation with him now being at Oakland. The cupboard is far from bare at Oxford though and could be a much more dangerous team without Townsend. The Wildcats have several key players for Coach Steve Laidlaw in Mason Mullholland, Trent Brown, Palmer Spect, and Bryce Essman. Program strength is a question mark for Oxford. They have a ton of experience to make some noise this season. The Wildcats should be in the mix in the Blue.

Seaholm: The Maples are going to be a very interesting team to keep an eye on in 2021. Seaholm won 11 games and fell to Farmington in the district semifinals last season. The Maples lost nine seniors to graduation which hurts any program however oddly enough they will have eight seniors returning for Coach Mike DeGeeter. Seaholm will have Johnny Cross, Tyler Eick, Jake LaBarre, and Ben Slazinski. The Maples are going to be very young in the interior. There are a ton of questions heading into the season. Program strength is very solid though but it will be interesting to see where Seaholm is this season.

Gold

Pontiac: The Phoenix have always been a basketball school. They have had a lot of talent and have had a ton of success recently, that’s not a question with Pontiac. The question with the Phoenix will always be program strength. Pontiac contended for the Blue last season and they could again this season in the Gold with the four division format. The Phoenix moved up to Division One after winning 22 games in 2018-2019 under then coach Joel Schroeder when they made it to the regional finals. Pontiac lost to Orchard Lake St. Marys in the pre-district last season. Tarah Hazard, Kamarie Miles-El, Shawn Jones, Dionte Harris, and DeShawn Owens bring a ton of proven experience back for Coach Damon O’Neil. Hazard and Owens are going to be the Phoenix top players in 2021 even though Miles-El, Jones, and Harris are expected to contribute. Pontiac is in a very interesting spot. It could go well very fast but it can also go bad very fast. The Phoenix will be a team to keep an eye on this season.

Rochester: The Falcons are in a very interesting spot in 2021. They could be in the mix for the Gold this season if things go right. It would be their first division crown since sharing the Blue with Lake Orion in the 2017-2018 season. Coach Vance Kirkwood has a ton of proven experience from a team that fell to Stoney Creek in the district semifinals last season. Rochester has had two very difficult seasons since the 2017-2018 season where they won 16 games. They have won a combined five games since the pre-district upset loss to Utica Eisenhower in the 2017-2018 postseason. The Falcons have a very strong junior class to go along with a ton of proven experienced returners in Arman Hussaini, Rex Matoud, Ty Reid, Mark Williams, and Max Stone. Program strength looks to be very strong for Kirkwood. If Rochester can put it all together and make a run in the Gold then the turnaround can fully begin.

Royal Oak: The Ravens should be a very interesting team to watch in 2021. Royal Oak has had three straight losing seasons which is very unusual for Coach Aaron Smith and his program. They have not been able to put things together on both sides of the court which is why they are struggling. Smith does have a ton of proven experience in Jessie Hoisington, Colton Champion, Jason Gilbert, Jack Norton, Dylan Hoffman, and Charlie Garbowski. The Ravens will need to figure out their identity heading into the season. Program strength is a concern which needs to be addressed. If the Ravens can address their identity and put things together then they could be a team in the conversation and move up in the Gold.

Avondale: It was a miserable year for the Yellow Jackets winning only one game last season. Coach Pat Clancy should be better in 2021. He will not have his best player in David Holloman. Holloman whom played combo guard is graduating early for Indiana to play College Football. Clancy does have a ton of proven experience and a solid sub varsity program coming up to play varsity. He has Corbin Smith, Josh Buggs, Jy Smith, AJ Knox, and Marshall Dennis. These five players will be leaned on heavily to step up with Holloman no longer at Avondale. Interior is a big question though even though Knox is in the inteior. It will be very interesting to see what the Yellow Jackets do this season because usually teams do improve under a new coach in their second year. The Yellow Jackets are in an interesting spot there is nowhere to go but up for them.

Ferndale University: The Golden Eagles enter the OAA after being an independent for a long while. They have had success in the past but 2019-2020 was a struggle. Ferndale University won six games and fell to Ferndale in blowout fashion in the pre-district last season. The Golden Eagles should be a very interesting team to watch in 2021. I don’t think the talent is there for this program right now. Coach Iskandar Shamoun will have a ton of challenges though with a young and inexperienced team but if everything goes right they should be competitive but are they in the mix right now, probably not but Ferndale University will get there.

It Didn’t Have To Be This Way

by Becky Andrus | Feb 2, 2021 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

Inside the OAA

Covering all 22 OAA teams with insight and thoughts on each team from Northern Oakland County to Southern Oakland County.

Tuesday, February 2, 2021

It Didn’t Have To Be This Way.

Written Tuesday February 2nd at 9:30 AM

It didn’t have to be this way.

This isn’t about politics.

It’s to let them play.

“The Let Them Play” movement rallied on Saturday just to have their Winter Sports back. There were legendary players like Andre Rison and Darren McCarty there to support the student-athletes just to let them play. Also college basketball coaches in Greg Kampe, Tom Izzo, Juwan Howard, among others support the student-athletes to just let them play.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services have refused to hear their pleas.

They had no choice and now sadly it’s going to be played out in a courtroom.

It didn’t have to be.

“The Let Them Play” movement on Tuesday confirmed by FOX 17’s Zach Harig sued Whitmer and the MDHHS just to let student-athletes from cheerleading, basketball, wrestling, and hockey to play and start their seasons.

This has garnered national attention. This is the third time that “The Let Them Play” movement protested at the State Capitol in Lansing during the 2020-2021 school year.

Whitmer and the MDHHS extended “the pause” last week to include these five sports which is set to expire on February 21^st.

So why aren’t these four contact sports haven’t started their seasons despite most of the United States whom have more coronavirus cases than Michigan are playing???

The data from the MDHHS when they did their antigen test program for football, volleyball, and girls swimming and diving showed a 99.8 and a 99.6 percent negative test rate.

This comes down to trust.

Does Whitmer and the MDHHS trust schools especially athletic directors, superintendents, support staff, and coaches to do the right thing???

This is clearly a lose-lose for Whitmer and the MDHHS.

Here is another question, is this really about public health??? Restaurants, casinos, bars, and in person learning in schools are open despite strict restrictions but they can’t play a basketball game, cheer, wrestle, or play hockey???

Something is not right.

The mental health has been and always will be beyond paramount. Depression and suicides have been rising since “the pause” went into effect. There have been two student-athletes in the state that have taken their lives including a hockey player in Muskegon because of the coronavirus restrictions.

The suicides are something that Whitmer and the MDHHS are morally responsible.

Whitmer mentioned in an email that it’s because of the close contact that makes these four contact sports more risky and the arrival of the new B.1.1.1.7 variant coronavirus strain. I was very thankful that Whitmer wrote back but I had more questions than answers.

Football and volleyball were done safely and with spring sports on the horizon it will be easier to socially distance and competitions are outdoors with the exception of water polo which is in a pool.

This is the most important time of a young man and woman’s life especially if they are a senior. To play a sport they love with their friends and family. The bonds that are grown with teammates and coaches those will forever be cherished.

Teams are like a family. They are basically a family.

If there isn’t a season especially for the seniors they won’t be able to get it back.

These student-athletes are going to be your future voters. The future of the state. They are certainly going to remember all of this.

It has become clear that these student-athletes have lost faith in their state government.

It didn’t need to happen.

It didn’t have to happen this way.

I don’t know what will happen next but it’s the eye of the storm.

Uyl Needs To Take A Stand

by Becky Andrus | Jan 28, 2021 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

Inside the OAA

Covering all 22 OAA teams with insight and thoughts on each team from Northern Oakland County to Southern Oakland County.

Friday, January 22, 2021

Uyl Needs To Take A Stand.

Written Friday January 22nd at 4:05 PM

MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl said that the MHSAA would guarantee all three seasons.

Now it’s time to prove it.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has become the biggest hurdle in the MHSAA to achieving their goals.

Whitmer and the Michigan of Health and Human Services has extended “the pause” three times since November on certain contact sports. Although non-contact sports have been given the green light to continue their seasons.

Basketball, Cheerleading, Wrestling, and Hockey remain on hold until February 21^st.

Uyl was blindsided like everyone else by the decision from Whitmer and her administration on Friday morning. “We found out about this decision at 9:30 am just like everyone else and we will address it this weekend to collect more information. We did not anticipate this delay in winter contact practices and competition, and today’s announcement has created many new questions. Obviously this is very disappointing to thousands of athletes who have been training with their teams over the last week and watching teams in other states around Michigan play for the last two months.”

The reason why Uyl needs to prove it is because Whitmer and her administration have done this three times to the student-athletes by halting their ability to compete. Despite coronavirus case numbers coming down, she and her administration have extended the pause anyway.

Robert Gordon stepped down as MDHHS Director on Friday after putting the new order in place. Whitmer appointed Elizabeth Hertel to take over as MDHHS Director. This though will need to be confirmed by the Republican held Senate.

When Uyl meets with the MDHHS he needs to be firm with them. “What are the numbers that are holding them up??? And where would the road map be at???” He mentioned this on the Huge Show.

Uyl and the MHSAA Representative Council are expected to meet next week to adjust the schedule for the four sports affected by the new order.

Uyl needs to take a stand against Whitmer and the MDHHS. He needs to stand up for the student-athletes, parents, coaches, superintendents, and athletic directors that are fed up with Whitmer and the MDHHS pausing these four winter contact sports.

Could the MHSAA sue Whitmer and the MDHHS??? I don’t know but there could be multiple lawsuits filed against Whitmer and the MDHHS.

If Uyl wants three seasons it’s time for him to make a stand for these student-athletes.

Posted by Saginaw Bay at 1:12 PM