by orionontv | May 31, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Friday May 26th at 8:05 AM
Here is my insight and thoughts heading into the baseball districts.
District 16 at Livonia Stevenson
FARMINGTON vs. Novi Detroit Catholic Central
FARMINGTON/Novi Detroit Catholic Central vs. NORTH FARMINGTON
Novi vs. Livonia Stevenson
EARLY PICKS: This district looks like it could be the Shamrocks vs the Spartans. The Wildcats are the sleeper in this district. I like Novi Detroit Catholic Central to move on.
District 20 at Grosse Pointe South
Grosse Pointe South vs. St. Clair Shores Lakeview
Grosse Pointe North vs. HARPER WOODS
EARLY PICKS: The battle of Grosse Pointe could be on again between the Blue Devils and the Norsemen. I like Grosse Pointe North to move on.
District 22 at Royal Oak
ROYAL OAK vs. Sterling Heights
ROYAL OAK/Sterling Heights vs. BERKLEY
Warren Cousino vs. Warren Mott
EARLY PICKS: The Ravens and Bears would be a fun district semifinals, whoever wins that game wins the district. With apologies to the school on Lexington Blvd, the team from Catalpa should move on.
District 24 at Birmingham Brother Rice
SEAHOLM vs. SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH
GROVES vs. Birmingham Brother Rice
EARLY PICKS: This has the makings of a Warriors vs Maples district finals. Too much pitching leads Seaholm to a major upset.
District 27 at Romeo
Romeo vs. ROCHESTER
Romeo/ROCHESTER vs. ADAMS
STONEY CREEK vs. Utica Eisenhower
EARLY PICKS: This is a very tough district. The Eagles are solid as is the Bulldogs but the Highlanders senior class has another deep run in them.
District 28 at Avondale
AVONDALE vs. TROY ATHENS
AVONDALE/TROY ATHENS vs. TROY
BLOOMFIELD HILLS vs. Utica
EARLY PICKS: This is a pick me district. There is a lot of good teams in this district. If I had to pick one to win this district, it’s the Blackhawks.
District 29 at West Bloomfield
Waterford Mott vs. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s
Waterford Mott/Orchard Lake St. Mary’s vs. Waterford Kettering
WEST BLOOMFIELD vs. LAKE ORION
EARLY PICKS: This is a very tough district. The Eaglets got a great draw while the Dragons and Lakers have to go through each other. Orchard Lake St. Marys is the best team in this district but they have been vulnerable lately. I think Lake Orion or West Bloomfield has a chance to upset them.
District 31 at Oxford
Fenton vs. Holly
Fenton/Holly vs. OXFORD
CLARKSTON vs. Grand Blanc
EARLY PICKS: Clarkston vs Grand Blanc should be a doozy. Oxford got a great draw. I see a Wildcats vs Bobcats district final with Grand Blanc moving on.
by orionontv | May 31, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Friday May 26th at 8:05 AM
Here is my insight and thoughts for the softball districts.
District 20 at Farmington Hills Mercy
NORTH FARMINGTON vs. Farmington Hills Mercy
FARMINGTON vs. WEST BLOOMFIELD
EARLY PICKS: Can’t go against the Marlins in this district.
District 22 at Royal Oak
ROYAL OAK vs. SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH
BERKLEY vs. GROVES
EARLY PICKS: Berkley vs Groves should be a very interesting matchup. The Falcons won the Blue. I see the Battle of Woodward in the district finals with the Bears moving on.
District 23 at Ferndale
FERNDALE vs. OAK PARK
Detroit Mumford vs. Detroit Renaissance
EARLY PICKS: This is not a strong district but the Eagles should move on with ease.
District 24 at Grosse Pointe North
Detroit Cass Tech vs. Detroit Western
Detroit Cass Tech/Detroit Western vs. Grosse Pointe South
Grosse Pointe North vs. HARPER WOODS
EARLY PICKS: I can see a battle of Grosse Pointe in the district finals. I like the Norsemen to win this district.
District 25 at Avondale
SEAHOLM vs. BLOOMFIELD HILLS
AVONDALE vs. TROY
EARLY PICKS: This is a very interesting district. The Blackhawks have a high octane offense and are very prone to shootouts. The Colts are solid as is the Maples. The Yellow Jackets are the wildcard. Bloomfield Hills is the early favorite but something tells me Troy could off a stunner.
District 26 at Utica
Utica Ford II vs. Sterling Heights Stevenson
TROY ATHENS vs. Utica
EARLY PICKS: The Chieftains have been solid all season. I think the Red Hawks are a sleeper but end of the day I like Utica over the Falcons in this district.
District 29 at Oxford
Davison vs. OXFORD
Davison/OXFORD vs. Lapeer
Port Huron vs. Port Huron Northern
EARLY PICKS: It’s hard to go against the Cardinals in this district but the Wildcats could give them some fits. I like Davison to move on in this district.
District 30 at Lake Orion
CLARKSTON vs. Waterford Mott
CLARKSTON/Waterford Mott vs. ADAMS
LAKE ORION vs. Waterford Kettering
EARLY PICKS: The Dragons got a great draw and should get to the district finals. The Wolves have a tough draw especially if they play the Highlanders in the district semifinals. I think Lake Orion gets by this district with their high octane offense but if they run into a good starting pitcher then it could be trouble.
District 31 at Romeo
Utica Eisenhower vs. Romeo
ROCHESTER vs. STONEY CREEK
EARLY PICKS: It would be very hard to go against the Cougars but Macomb County has been solid all year long. Erin Flynn should leave her mark in this district.
by orionontv | May 23, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Sunday May 14th at 11:30 PM
Here is my insight and preview for the girls lacrosse regionals.
Regional 3 at Troy Athens
Grosse Pointe North vs. Grosse Pointe South
Utica Ford II vs. TROY
BIRMINGHAM vs. WEST BLOOMFIELD
Grosse Pointe North/Grosse Pointe South vs. BLOOMFIELD HILLS
M-1 (ROYAL OAK/BERKLEY) vs. Utica Eisenhower
Utica Ford/TROY vs. TROY ATHENS
BIRMINGHAM/WEST BLOOMFIELD vs. Chippewa Valley
EARLY PICKS: This regional has Birmingham vs Bloomfield Hills written all over it. Bloomfield Hills beat Birmingham earlier in the season. The regional semifinals could be very interesting with the Bulldogs having a really tough path having to see Chippewa Valley and then Troy Athens in the second round and semifinals respectively. The Blackhawks have the much better draw to get to the regional finals. I like Bloomfield Hills over Birmingham in this matchup.
Regional 4 at Oxford
Midland vs. Grand Blanc
Fenton vs. OXFORD
Davison vs. Howell
CLARKSTON vs. Waterford
Midland/Grand Blanc vs. Hartland
Fenton/OXFORD vs. ROCHESTER
Davison/Howell vs. LAKE ORION
CLARKSTON/Waterford vs. White Lake
EARLY PICKS: Lake Orion has a great draw to get to the regional finals. They will have to get by Hartland which will be a tough matchup but Midland could give the Eagles some trouble in the second round but it’s not likely. I think Hartland moves on over the Dragons.
Regional 6 at Farmington
FARMINGTON vs. Farmington Hills Mercy
Temperance Bedford vs. Saline
Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard vs. Wixom St. Catherine Sienna
FARMINGTON/Mercy vs. Dearborn Divine Child
NORTH FARMINGTON vs. Tecumseh
Temperance Bedford/Saline vs. Ann Arbor Skyline
Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard/Wixom St. Catherine Sienna vs. Dexter
EARLY PICKS: This looks to be a very interesting regional. Dearborn Divine Child, Ann Arbor Skyline, and Dexter will be very tough outs. Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard has the best chance of upsetting the top three seeds. I think that the Falcons have the best chance to move onto the state semifinals.
Regional 7 at Adams
Birmingham Marian vs. Grosse Pointe Woods
Walled Lake Northern vs. ADAMS
AVONDALE vs. Warren Regina
Birmingham Marian/Grosse Pointe Woods vs. Detroit Country Day
STONEY CREEK vs. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
Walled Lake Northern/ADAMS vs. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kinswood
AVONDALE/Warren Regina vs. Bloomfield Hills Academy
EARLY PICKS: This is a pick em district. Birmingham Detroit Country Day and Adams are the two best teams in the district. Adams will have to deal with Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood in the second round. The Yellow Jackets should have a nice path but Stoney Creek could give them some fits. I think the two top teams will meet but Birmingham Detroit Country Day should move on to the semifinals.
by orionontv | May 23, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Sunday May 14th at 11:00 PM
Here is my preview of the boys lacrosse regional projections.
Region 4 at South Lyon East
Brighton vs. FARMINGTON UNITED
BIRMINGHAM UNITED vs. Howell
South Lyon (South Lyon East) vs. Novi
Livonia Stevenson vs. Northville
EARLY PICKS: Give me the Brighton Bulldogs to move on to the quarterfinals but Birmingham United will have a very strong say and could upset Brighton in the regional semifinals if they are not careful.
Region 5 at Troy Athens
Detroit Catholic Central vs. Bye
TROY ATHENS (AVONDALE) vs. Detroit Cass Tech
M-1 (ROYAL OAK/BERKLEY) vs. Utica Ford II (Sterling Heights Stevenson)
Detroit University Detroit Jesuit vs. Chippewa Valley
EARLY PICKS: Can’t go against the Shamrocks, sorry rest of the field.
Region 6 at Romeo
Macomb L’Anse Creuse North vs. St. Clair
Birmingham Brother Rice vs. Macomb L’Anse Creuse North/St. Clair
Macomb Dakota vs. ROCHESTER
Port Huron vs. Utica Eisenhower (Utica)
Romeo vs. New Baltimore Anchor Bay
EARLY PICKS: The Warriors are motivated enough said although Romeo might have the best chance out of anyone in this regional that can give Birmingham Brother Rice at least some issues.
Region 7 at Bloomfield Hills
LAKE ORION vs. Waterford (Waterford Kettering/Waterford Mott)
OXFORD vs. TROY
Walled Lake (Walled Lake Northern/Walled Lake Western/Walled Lake Central) vs. WEST BLOOMFIELD
BLOOMFIELD HILLS vs. Huron Valley (Lakeland/Milford)
EARLY PICKS: This looks like a Dragons vs Blackhawks regional final. Lake Orion will be too much.
Region 8 at Clarkston
CLARKSTON vs. Bay City Central (Freeland, Frankenmuth)
Ortonville Brandon (Holly) vs. Davison
Grand Blanc vs. Lapeer
Saginaw Heritage vs. Swartz Creek (Flushing)
EARLY PICKS: No one is touching the Wolves in this regional. The Bobcats are the closest to having a chance but too much Wolves.
Region 14 at Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kinswood vs. Bye
ADAMS vs. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s vs. Madison Heights Bishop Foley (Clawson, Macomb Lutheran North)
STONEY CREEK vs. Royal Oak Shrine (Rochester Lutheran Northwest, Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes, Clarkston Everest)
EARLY PICKS: The Cranes are the early favorite but do not by any means count out the Cougars or the Highlanders. Adams could beat Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood. I see Stoney Creek getting to the district final and beating Adams who I think will upset the Cranes in the regional semifinals.
by orionontv | May 15, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Sunday May 14th at 11:30 PM
Here is my insight and preview for the girls lacrosse regionals.
Regional 3 at Troy Athens
Grosse Pointe North vs. Grosse Pointe South
Utica Ford II vs. TROY
BIRMINGHAM vs. WEST BLOOMFIELD
Grosse Pointe North/Grosse Pointe South vs. BLOOMFIELD HILLS
M-1 (ROYAL OAK/BERKLEY) vs. Utica Eisenhower
Utica Ford/TROY vs. TROY ATHENS
BIRMINGHAM/WEST BLOOMFIELD vs. Chippewa Valley
EARLY PICKS: This regional has Birmingham vs Bloomfield Hills written all over it. Bloomfield Hills beat Birmingham earlier in the season. The regional semifinals could be very interesting with the Bulldogs having a really tough path having to see Chippewa Valley and then Troy Athens in the second round and semifinals respectively. The Blackhawks have the much better draw to get to the regional finals. I like Bloomfield Hills over Birmingham in this matchup.
Regional 4 at Oxford
Midland vs. Grand Blanc
Fenton vs. OXFORD
Davison vs. Howell
CLARKSTON vs. Waterford
Midland/Grand Blanc vs. Hartland
Fenton/OXFORD vs. ROCHESTER
Davison/Howell vs. LAKE ORION
CLARKSTON/Waterford vs. White Lake
EARLY PICKS: Lake Orion has a great draw to get to the regional finals. They will have to get by Hartland which will be a tough matchup but Midland could give the Eagles some trouble in the second round but it’s not likely. I think Hartland moves on over the Dragons.
Regional 6 at Farmington
FARMINGTON vs. Farmington Hills Mercy
Temperance Bedford vs. Saline
Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard vs. Wixom St. Catherine Sienna
FARMINGTON/Mercy vs. Dearborn Divine Child
NORTH FARMINGTON vs. Tecumseh
Temperance Bedford/Saline vs. Ann Arbor Skyline
Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard/Wixom St. Catherine Sienna vs. Dexter
EARLY PICKS: This looks to be a very interesting regional. Dearborn Divine Child, Ann Arbor Skyline, and Dexter will be very tough outs. Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard has the best chance of upsetting the top three seeds. I think that the Falcons have the best chance to move onto the state semifinals.
Regional 7 at Adams
Birmingham Marian vs. Grosse Pointe Woods
Walled Lake Northern vs. ADAMS
AVONDALE vs. Warren Regina
Birmingham Marian/Grosse Pointe Woods vs. Detroit Country Day
STONEY CREEK vs. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
Walled Lake Northern/ADAMS vs. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kinswood
AVONDALE/Warren Regina vs. Bloomfield Hills Academy
EARLY PICKS: This is a pick em district. Birmingham Detroit Country Day and Adams are the two best teams in the district. Adams will have to deal with Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood in the second round. The Yellow Jackets should have a nice path but Stoney Creek could give them some fits. I think the two top teams will meet but Birmingham Detroit Country Day should move on to the semifinals.
by orionontv | May 15, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Sunday May 14th at 11:00 PM
Here is my preview of the boys lacrosse regional projections.
Region 4 at South Lyon East
Brighton vs. FARMINGTON UNITED
BIRMINGHAM UNITED vs. Howell
South Lyon (South Lyon East) vs. Novi
Livonia Stevenson vs. Northville
EARLY PICKS: Give me the Brighton Bulldogs to move on to the quarterfinals but Birmingham United will have a very strong say and could upset Brighton in the regional semifinals if they are not careful.
Region 5 at Troy Athens
Detroit Catholic Central vs. Bye
TROY ATHENS (AVONDALE) vs. Detroit Cass Tech
M-1 (ROYAL OAK/BERKLEY) vs. Utica Ford II (Sterling Heights Stevenson)
Detroit University Detroit Jesuit vs. Chippewa Valley
EARLY PICKS: Can’t go against the Shamrocks, sorry rest of the field.
Region 6 at Romeo
Macomb L’Anse Creuse North vs. St. Clair
Birmingham Brother Rice vs. Macomb L’Anse Creuse North/St. Clair
Macomb Dakota vs. ROCHESTER
Port Huron vs. Utica Eisenhower (Utica)
Romeo vs. New Baltimore Anchor Bay
EARLY PICKS: The Warriors are motivated enough said although Romeo might have the best chance out of anyone in this regional that can give Birmingham Brother Rice at least some issues.
Region 7 at Bloomfield Hills
LAKE ORION vs. Waterford (Waterford Kettering/Waterford Mott)
OXFORD vs. TROY
Walled Lake (Walled Lake Northern/Walled Lake Western/Walled Lake Central) vs. WEST BLOOMFIELD
BLOOMFIELD HILLS vs. Huron Valley (Lakeland/Milford)
EARLY PICKS: This looks like a Dragons vs Blackhawks regional final. Lake Orion will be too much.
Region 8 at Clarkston
CLARKSTON vs. Bay City Central (Freeland, Frankenmuth)
Ortonville Brandon (Holly) vs. Davison
Grand Blanc vs. Lapeer
Saginaw Heritage vs. Swartz Creek (Flushing)
EARLY PICKS: No one is touching the Wolves in this regional. The Bobcats are the closest to having a chance but too much Wolves.
Region 14 at Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kinswood vs. Bye
ADAMS vs. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s vs. Madison Heights Bishop Foley (Clawson, Macomb Lutheran North)
STONEY CREEK vs. Royal Oak Shrine (Rochester Lutheran Northwest, Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes, Clarkston Everest)
EARLY PICKS: The Cranes are the early favorite but do not by any means count out the Cougars or the Highlanders. Adams could beat Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood. I see Stoney Creek getting to the district final and beating Adams who I think will upset the Cranes in the regional semifinals.
