by orionontv | May 15, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Sunday May 14th at 11:00 PM
Here is my insight and projections on the girls soccer districts.
District 6 at Clarkston
Flushing vs. Davison
CLARKSTON vs. Swartz Creek
Lapeer vs. OXFORD
Flushing/Davison vs. Grand Blanc
This is a very interesting district. Grand Blanc is the top seed but Clarkston and Oxford will be very tough matchups for the Bobcats. It wouldn’t surprise me if Grand Blanc falls in the district semifinals. I can see either one or two OAA schools in the district finals that is for sure.
District 7 at Lakeland
NORTH FARMINGTON vs. Walled Lake Central
Walled Lake Northern vs. Lakeland
Waterford Mott vs. WEST BLOOMFIELD
NORTH FARMINGTON/Walled Lake Central vs. Milford
North Farmington and West Bloomfield will be honoree members of the Lakes Valley Conference in this district. Walled Lake Northern won the Lakes Valley Conference crown this season but Milford is right there with them. West Bloomfield won the Blue and Waterford Mott is not an easy team. This district looks like it could be a Knights vs Mavericks district final which should be tight.
District 8 at Novi
FARMINGTON vs. Farmington Hills Mercy
Livonia Stevenson vs. South Lyon East
Northville vs. South Lyon
FARMINGTON/Farmington Hills Mercy vs. Novi
There is a ton of parity in this district especially with well known names like Farmington Hills Mercy, Northville, and Novi but keep an eye on South Lyon East. The Cougars have had a strong season in the Lakes Valley. The Mustangs are ranked high for a reason and will look to keep it that way but the Marlins and Wildcats could spoil that real quickly.
District 12 at Grosse Pointe South
Dearborn Fordson vs. Dearborn Heights Crestwood
Dearborn vs. HARPER WOODS
Detroit Western vs. Grosse Pointe South
Dearborn/Dearborn Heights Crestwood vs. Detroit Cass Tech
This is not a strong district but Detroit Cass Tech has the top seed in the district. I think they will have a tough time with Dearborn Heights Crestwood or Dearborn. I think Grosse Pointe South will be too much in this district with home field.
District 13 at Royal Oak
BERKLEY vs. GROVES
BLOOMFIELD HILLS vs. SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH
SEAHOLM vs. ROYAL OAK
BERKLEY/GROVES vs. TROY
This is an all OAA district. Troy got a very interesting draw with the winner of Berkley and Groves. Both teams are tough teams. Seaholm and Royal Oak should also be very interesting as well. Note we aren’t talking about the defending Division One State Champs are in here as well and they have a great draw. This is a pick em district that is for sure.
District 14 at Utica
LAKE ORION vs. ADAMS
STONEY CREEK vs. Utica Eisenhower
Romeo vs. Utica
LAKE ORION/ADAMS vs. ROCHESTER
This is the group of death district. Every one of these teams has a chance to win this district. Rochester has the best shot to win this district but Stoney Creek could have a strong say pending if they can get by a very good Utica Eisenhower squad. Lake Orion vs Adams is a trap game early. Whoever wins this district has a great chance to make it to East Lansing.
District 15 at Troy Athens
TROY ATHENS vs. Sterling Heights
Chippewa Valley vs. Sterling Heights Stevenson
Utica Ford vs. Warren Cousino
Fraser vs. Warren Mott
This should be a very interesting district. Troy Athens is the early favorite with home court and a tough schedule. Chippewa Valley could give some fits though. This district is the Red Hawks to lose.
District 24 at Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood
Detroit Renaissance vs. Walled Lake Western
FERNDALE vs. Livonia Clarenceville
Detroit Renaissance/Walled Lake Western vs. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood
FERNDALE/Livonia Clarenceville vs. Birmingham Marian
Birmingham Marian is the favorite and should be for good reason. The Mustangs have a great draw with playing either Ferndale or Livonia Clarenceville in the district semifinals. I think this will be a Cranes vs Mustangs district final with Birmingham Marian moving on.
District 26 at Goodrich
AVONDALE vs. Waterford Kettering
Holly vs. Brandon
AVONDALE/ Waterford Kettering vs. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s
Holly/Brandon vs. Goodrich
This is a very interesting district. Goodrich is the favorite with home field and has the best team on paper. Brandon is a sleeper. The Blackhawks can make a ton of noise if things work out well. Avondale is very interesting. The Yellow Jackets have had moments of greatness and struggles. This district is the Martians to lose.
by orionontv | May 15, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Saturday May 13th at 5:20 PM
Here is my projections for Girls Tennis. Underlined is projected regional champion.
Region 4 @ Livonia Churchill
FARMINGTON
Dearborn
Dearborn Edsel Ford
Dearborn Fordson
Detroit Cass Tech
Farmington Hills Mercy
Livonia Churchill
Livonia Stevenson
Westland John Glenn
Wayne Memorial
TOP THREE THAT MOVES ON: Farmington Hills Mercy, Farmington, Westland John Glenn.
Region 5 @ Troy
TROY
TROY ATHENS
ROYAL OAK
SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH
Fraser
Sterling Heights Stevenson
St. Clair Shores Lakeview
Utica Ford II
Warren Mott
TOP THREE THAT MOVES ON: Troy, Troy Athens, Royal Oak
Region 6 @ Utica Eisenhower
STONEY CREEK
Utica Eisenhower
Macomb L’Anse Creuse
Chippewa Valley
Macomb Dakota
Macomb L’Anse Creuse North
New Baltimore Anchor Bay
Romeo
Port Huron Northern
Utica
TOP THREE THAT MOVES ON: Port Huron Northern, Utica Eisenhower, Stoney Creek
Region 7 @ Lakeland
CLARKSTON
LAKE ORION
WEST BLOOMFIELD
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
ROCHESTER
ADAMS
Waterford Kettering
Lakeland
TOP THREE THAT MOVES ON: Bloomfield Hills, Adams, Clarkston.
Region 12 @ North Farmington
NORTH FARMINGTON
GROVES
SEAHOLM
AVONDALE
Holly
Fenton
Milford
Walled Lake Central
TOP THREE THAT MOVES ON: Seaholm, Groves, Fenton.
Region 13 @ Grosse Pointe North
BERKLEY
HARPER WOODS
FERNDALE
Grosse Pointe North
Grosse Pointe South
Sterling Heights
Warren Cousino
Warren Woods Tower
TOP THREE THAT MOVES ON: Grosse Pointe South, Grosse Pointe North, Berkley.
by orionontv | Apr 24, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Wednesday April 19th at 1:30 PM
There will be a new coach at North Farmington for Girls Basketball next winter.
Raiders coach Jeff Simpson stepped down on Wednesday after 29 years with the program and nine as the varsity coach.
“After many long hours of deliberation, I am resigning from my position as Varsity Girls Head Basketball Coach at North Farmington. I have spent 29 years in this program, nine as the Varsity coach. I have enjoyed my time in this program but I feel it is in my best interest to step down at this time. This spring (softball assistant coach) is my 77th coaching season for Farmington Public Schools (both middle and high school sports.) I feel it’s time for someone new to come in and lead the Raiders. Next year will be my final teaching year and I’m getting ready for the next set of adventures. Thank you to all my coaches I have worked with and coached against and to all of my former players, thank you for giving me your time and energy, always and forever. Go Raiders” Simpson said in a tweet.
North Farmington went 22-0 this past season which was the first time in school history that the girls basketball program went unbeaten. They fell to Farmington Hills Mercy in the district finals.
The Raiders have Asiyah Jihad and Hannah Hart coming back next season. Program strength will be a big concern for North Farmington going forward. The program could be in line for a major change next season.
Simpson added another tweet as well. “I have thoroughly enjoyed the run, time for the next adventure. Thanks to everyone for their support over the years especially my wife and kids. Go Raiders” he added.
Simpson did very well with the Raiders in his coaching career. He left a legacy at North Farmington. Simpson coached several very talented players including Sela Lefler and Penelope Creary and has been around proven players like Jenna Backrouge among others that has went through the North Farmington program.
It will be very interesting to see what happens next season for the Raiders but Simpson will be missed for sure.
Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest on this developing story.
Here is the Tweet from Simpson.
https://twitter.com/NFGirlsBB/status/1648699574658166787
by orionontv | Apr 24, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Friday April 21st at 4:35 PM
This was a move that no one saw coming.
Adams Boys Basketball Coach Jaret Thomas is stepping down from the program. Thomas led the Highlanders to their first regional championship and two district crowns in his four years at Adams.
“Adams Highlanders, I have to thank you for an incredible four years and the privilege of being your boys basketball coach. Together we were able to build a championship program and we did it our way, character, hard work, choosing to do the hard things, and always putting the team first. Special Thank you to my former and current players for your effort, dedication, and commitment. I am so proud to have been your coach and forever we are bonded by our relationships and time spent together. Also I would like to thank the administration and leadership who believed in me and supported me every step of the way. Adams will hold a special place in my heart and I leave here full of gratitude and love for so many. Go Highlanders.” Thomas said in a tweet on Twitter.
Thomas went 59-37 in his four years at Adams. He has rebuilt the Highlanders program especially the lower levels and that success has translated into the varsity program.
Whoever the new coach is will have Peter Kardsais, William Gee, Trenton Lagarde, Chan Yang, Gavin Farris, Luke Marcial, Jake Andrzejak, Aaron Troxell, coming back along with maybe Brady Prieskorn.
Adams should be a force in the Red next season whether Prieskorn plays or not.
It will be very interesting to see what happens with the Highlanders this offseason.
Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest on this developing story. I will have my thoughts on Monday’s podcast.
Here is the Tweet from Thomas.
https://twitter.com/_JaretThomas/status/1649498354068475930
by orionontv | Apr 17, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Saturday April 15th at 10:10 AM
Avondale will have a new football coach this fall.
The Yellow Jackets have named Bob Meyer as their new head coach. Meyer was confirmed as the coach on the Avondale Athletics website and also Livonia Clarenceville where he previously coached has a new coach according to the MHSAA website.
Meyer takes over for Corey Bell whom is now the quarterback’s coach at Oxford.
Meyer is no stranger to Oakland County. He coached at Walled Lake Central before heading to Livonia Clarenceville. He led the Trojans in his four years to a 25-23 record but a 25-14 record in the last three years with three postseason appearances.
Meyer comes to a program that has had a ton of success. The Yellow Jackets have made the postseason six of the last seven years and look to make it seven of eight this season. Avondale is one of the favorites in the Gold with a ton of proven experience.
The Yellow Jackets have Tyler Herzog at quarterback, along with wide receivers and defensive backs Alfonso Merritt, Justin Sykes and Cooper Voeffary, also linemen Charlie Killian, Dhruv Thakur, and Cameron Washington, and linebackers Myles Moore and Matthew Lloyd coming back.
Program strength will be very interesting to watch this season for Avondale.
The Yellow Jackets are 31-26 in the last seven years but the trend has been on the upward swing as of late. Avondale hasn’t been able to get out of the first round since 2012.
My Thoughts
I’ve talked to a lot of media experts and they say to me that this is a great hire for the Yellow Jackets to go with Meyer. Meyer brings a well-known knowledge of the game and can play any style of offense whether it is the veer or the spread offense. Defensively and depth will be question marks this season. Avondale is one of the favorites in the Gold with proven experience and you bring Meyer a proven coach to the fold, the Yellow Jackets should be a force to watch this season.
Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest on this developing story.
Avondale Football Information Meeting
https://yellowjacketsports.org/2023/04/12/football-2023-informational-meeting/
Livonia Clarenceville Football MHSAA page
https://www.mhsaa.com/schools/clarenceville/boys/varsity/football/2023
by orionontv | Apr 17, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Friday April 14th at 11:15 PM
The Pontiac Phoenix have a new varsity football coach.
The Phoenix named Wendell Jefferson as their new head coach replacing Ken Wade whom stepped down at the end of the season. Jefferson was confirmed on the MHSAA website as the new football coach.
Jefferson coached the Pontiac Generals Rivals professional football team and knows the area really well. He is a 1984 graduate of Pontiac Central.
Pontiac has Kayne Donaldson at quarterback, along with Davion Hall at running back, also defensive back Debon Johnson, and linemen Bryce Brown. The Phoenix have questions with depth and program strength.
Jefferson will be tasked in trying to turn the Phoenix around. Pontiac is 5-91 since 2011 and 0-18 in the last two years.
My Thoughts
This is a very interesting hire but with a ton of local ties. Jefferson knows the city of Pontiac really well. It will be very interesting to see how he can turn around the Phoenix knowing the history. Pontiac’s schedule looks very manageable. Winning games will be very important for this team this season.
Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest on this developing story.
Pontiac Football MHSAA page
https://www.mhsaa.com/schools/pontiac/boys/varsity/football/2023
