Girls Basketball Thoughts

by orionontv | Jan 23, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

Girls Basketball Thoughts.

Written Saturday January 21st at 9:28 AM

Here are my thoughts on each girls basketball team right now.

Oak Park: The Knights have been playing some really good basketball. Oak Park has won three straight and have been averaging over 40 points per game in each of those wins. Coach Chantelle Corson has to be really pleased with this three game stretch. Maybe the Knights have seemed to have turned the corner and if they have then it’s a great sign going forward.

Ferndale: The Eagles have had moments of greatness and other games not so much. Ferndale has the talent and has won some games. Ferndale needs to play some more non conference games. I’m really hoping that Coach Keith Paris can look for some more teams to play for his girls. They do deserve to play more games this season.

Pontiac: The Phoenix are really struggling but they have been improving despite the record. It has clearly been a struggle for Pontiac and Coach Corray Lett whom is in his first season with the program. The wins should come in time. The Phoenix clearly have a ton of work to do to get their program back on track.

Ferndale University: The Eagles have clearly struggled. It has been very tough for Coach Brianna Rowe lately. Ferndale University needs to keep growing as a program but right now this is a team that is taking a ton of lumps for sure.

Avondale: The Yellow Jackets have had a rough January. They are 0-4 this month and counting the loss to Warren Fitzgerald then it’s a five game losing streak. The offense has clearly disappeared which is evident in points per game and the points against have went up. They have averaged under 30 points per game while allowing over 50 points per game in this losing streak. If Coach Roy Christmon wants to turn things around they have to find ways to score and defend. Avondale is clearly in trouble right now.

Farmington: The Falcons have been a Jekyll and Hyde team. They look very good against the Blue but really bad against the non conference. This has to change if Coach Lauren Guzman’s team wants to make some noise in the postseason. Farmington is the second best team in the Blue right now but Oak Park has made some strides but they need to win games against the non conference because if they don’t then they could be an early exit in the postseason.

Bloomfield Hills: The Blackhawks have been rolling since their 19 point fourth quarter against Seaholm in November but they really haven’t been tested since that game which is a concern for Coach Kristen Massey. The blowouts are good and does gain some confidence but they need a true test on the schedule. Bloomfield Hills added a big test with Stoney Creek after both teams needed to find a game after their respective opponents bailed on them. They also have to play Birmingham Marian in February but the Mustangs have been struggling. The Blackhawks needs to be tested before the postseason. It will certainly help the MPR if that happens.

Adams: The Highlanders have taken a ton of lumps lately. They have not won a game into the New Year but they have been competitive. Adams has been competitive in three of the five games. If Coach Joe Malburg can slow things down with his young team then the scoring could go up and the points against can go down in a big way. The Highlanders so far are on the right track but they have to slow the game down and not get sped up.

Troy Athens: The Red Hawks have been a very odd team. Troy Athens is 1-3 in their last four games which is a concern. In their last three losses the defense has been the problem. They have allowed 44 points per game. In their win against Royal Oak they allowed 36 points. If Coach Stacie Klumpp wants to turn things around it has to be on the defensive end.

Harper Woods: The Pioneers have been a very interesting team to figure out. In their wins they have averaged over 45 points but the losses especially against Oxford and Berkley they have averaged 33.5 points per game. Harper Woods has some issues against teams that guard them and they still have North Farmington looming. If I’m Coach Anthony Brown you have to find way to score against proven teams.

Seaholm: The Maples have had their moments of greatness. Addy Flynn has been Seaholm’s most consistent player. They really needed that two point win against Adams in a low scoring defensive slugfest. Coach Chris Manchester has a real tough three game stretch coming up. The record doesn’t indicate it but this is a team that is making a ton of progress.

Royal Oak: The Ravens have not had a very good January. They are 2-3 in this stretch and have lost two of the last three games. The offense has really struggled since the New Year and that is a big concern going forward. If Coach Brian Sopota wants to turn this thing around they have to put up more than 43 points to win games.

Berkley: The Bears are back there are no questions about that. Berkley is 4-1 in their last five games with their only loss to a very good Rochester team and they held them to 32 points which is impressive. The defense has been very good for Coach Cody Feltner and the offense has gotten back on track. They are playing like they are on a mission right now. This is a classic “We’re Back A Dinosaur Story” type season right now.

North Farmington: The Raiders are in a very good spot right now in the White but their goals need to increase. They have a good chance to win their district. Sela Lefler and Penelope Creary have been the key for North Farmington. Coach Jeff Simpson seems to be pushing the right buttons right now. As mentioned the Raiders are in a good spot.

Oxford: The Wildcats are in a really tough spot right now losing to North Farmington at Ian Smith Gym. Neveah Wood getting hurt also did not help things. Oxford if they want to keep their White hopes alive needs to go into North Farmington and win and get some help. Coach Rachel Bryer needs to get this team back on the right path and she will.

Southfield Arts and Tech: The Warriors defense is still a big problem. They have allowed over 50 points in 11 of their last 12 games. That’s not winning basketball at all. Until Coach Shiquita Coltrane fixes her defense then Southfield Arts and Tech could really struggle going forward.

Troy: The Colts have had a ton of growing pains but there are signs that they are getting better. They put up 50 points against Southfield Arts and Tech which is the most they put up since the Waterford Kettering game. Troy is making some strides which is a good sign for Coach Julius Porter.

Groves: The Falcons have some serious concerns after very losses to Lake Orion and Riverview. They need to change some things a little bit if you’re Coach Allison Hidey. Kaitlyn Sanders is doing everything she can and so has Cira Racco. They really need a third scorer to step up and they have to get back what got them there which was slow the game down and control tempo. There is still time to turn things around for Groves.

Stoney Creek: The Cougars will be tested with the injury to Mia Carson. Sarah LaPrarie has played more of a bigger role. Stoney Creek has Lily Solek and Merrick Schalbach that could also fill the void with Carson out. Coach Kellen James has a tough schedule coming up. The Cougars are fine.

Clarkston: The Wolves have been around 500 and have been playing good basketball. Elliana Robak has been a difference maker but Emily Valencia has started to play well. They had a big win against Stoney Creek. Three of their next four games are on the road starting this week.

Rochester: The Falcons have been battle tested. They hung tough with West Bloomfield despite falling in that game but they had their hands full with Berkley. Rochester is a very interesting team especially with Alice Max and Kiley Robinson. It will be very interesting to see where they are at for Coach Bill Thurston to see if they can get back on track a little bit.

Lake Orion: The Dragons had a really interesting week. They hung tough with Detroit Renaissance but a 26-7 third quarter run was the difference in that game. Lake Orion took on a very good Flushing team and held them to 18 points and then beat Groves pretty convincingly. Everyone has been involved as of late and that’s a great sign going forward for Coach Bob Brydges and his program. They have a tough stretch coming up with a ton of road games at the end of the month.

West Bloomfield: The Lakers have been playing really good basketball. They were very impressive over Detroit Cass Tech and Rochester last week. The Davis and Hendrix sisters have been the catalysts along with a very good half court press. West Bloomfield looks like they are getting things ready for the postseason.

Boys Basketball Top 23

by orionontv | Jan 23, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

Boys Basketball Top 23.

Written Saturday January 21st at 12:10 AM

Here is the top 23 for boys basketball.

1. North Farmington (9-1): Raiders rolling with a ton of confidence.
2. Oak Park (6-2): Knights had a tough loss to North Farmington. They will be fine.
3. Ferndale (4-6): Eagles schedule. Is it taking a tole???
4. Clarkston (10-3): Wolves have been very shaky despite the record.
5. Troy (9-2): Colts bounced back in a big way after a tough loss to Clarkston.
6. Adams (6-3): William Gee is legit for sure.
7. Bloomfield Hills (8-2): Blackhawks are more than Noah Adamcyzk.
8. Lake Orion (6-3): Dragons will be fine after a really tough loss to Bloomfield Hills.
9. Berkley (9-3): Bears have been on a roll lately.
10. West Bloomfield (7-2): Lakers picked up a much needed win over Groves.
11. Groves (7-4): Josh Simpson and Josh Gibson have really carried the Falcons.
12. Oxford (6-4): Wildcats have struggled a bit since the Lake Orion game.
13. Harper Woods (6-4): Pioneers will be fine, no need to panic.
14. Royal Oak (7-4): Ravens haven’t been the same team since the Lake Orion game.
15. Rochester (4-6): Falcons are 1-3 in the last four games.
16. Seaholm (5-6): Maples seem to be turning things around at the right time.
17. Troy Athens (4-6): Red Hawks are 1-3 in their last four games.
18. Avondale (5-7): Yellow Jackets starting to turn things around.
19. Ferndale University (7-5): Eagles have been hot and cold recently.
20. Farmington (3-6): Falcons have some solid pieces that could be made for the future.
21. Southfield Arts and Tech (3-8): Warriors have been hot and cold recently.
22. Stoney Creek (1-10): Cougars have been struggling lately.
23. Pontiac (3-9): Phoenix have been hot and cold lately.

Girls Basketball Top 23

by orionontv | Jan 23, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

Girls Basketball Top 23.

Written Saturday January 21st at 12:05 AM

Here is the girls basketball top 23.

1. West Bloomfield (11-2): Lakers have been rolling lately.
2. Rochester (9-3): Falcons gave West Bloomfield one of their better games.
3. Lake Orion (11-2): Defense travels.
4. North Farmington (12-0): Sela Lefler is a modified Bruce Banner in a way.
5. Oxford (10-2): Losing Neveah Wood really hurt in their loss to North Farmington.
6. Clarkston (8-6): Aaron Goodnough should never wear a weird polo ever again.
7. Stoney Creek (8-4): It will be very interesting to see how the Cougars handle life without Mia Carson.
8. Berkley (5-6): Despite loss to Rochester, Bears are a modified “We’re Back a Dinosaur Story”
9. Bloomfield Hills (10-1): Despite the schedule the Blackhawks are rolling along.
10. Royal Oak (8-4): Ravens are 2-3 in January, that’s not good.
11. Groves (4-8): Falcons could be in some trouble.
12. Southfield Arts and Tech (3-9): Defense is still a major issue for the Warriors.
13. Harper Woods (6-4): Pioneers have not had a very good January. In their wins they have put up over 45 points however in their two losses they have averaged 33.5 ppg.
14. Seaholm (4-8): Welcome back Shay Manchester.
15. Troy Athens (6-6): Red Hawks got a big win over Royal Oak but inconsistencies show still.
16. Oak Park (5-4): Knights are starting to turn the corner.
17. Farmington (6-6): Falcons still been a hard team to figure out.
18. Troy (3-10): Scoring 50 points is a start for the Colts.
19. Adams (2-11): Highlanders are having things rough right now.
20. Ferndale (2-3): Eagles are playing much better basketball despite lack of games.
21. Avondale (3-9): Yellow Jackets are 0-5 in January which is shocking in a way.
22. Ferndale University (1-7): Eagles going through some rough times right now.
23. Pontiac (0-11): Phoenix playing much better despite the struggles.

Royal Oak has their new Football Coach

by orionontv | Jan 23, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

Friday, January 20, 2023

Royal Oak has their new Football Coach.

Written Friday January 20th at 11:30 PM

There will be a new football coach in Royal Oak

According to a source the Ravens will name Collin Campbell as their new varsity football coach. He replaces Dustyn Truitt whom was placed on administrative leave after allegations of inappropriate language in October.

Campbell was confirmed at the Royal Oak/Berkley boys basketball game during halftime on Friday night. He is a teacher in the building.

He is the third coach in two years.

Campbell takes over the football program that is in complete disarray. Royal Oak is 34-107 since 2006 and was 1-8 last season. In Campbell’s three games as interim coach they were 0-3 and was outscored 129-0 in that stretch.

Campbell was the junior varsity coach under Truitt before taking both jobs last season.

The Ravens have to replace a ton of talent and proven experience especially at quarterback and wide receiver next season. They won’t have Mekhi Jenkins as he will graduate and head to Central Michigan next season. Also they won’t have lineman Ellie Finch as she will be graduating as well. Royal Oak has most of their defense in linebackers Michael Herman, Steve Johnson, and Elijah Lyons, along with linemen Sam Klonke and Aiden Tesch. They have some offensive playmakers in running back Nathan Benton, and wide receiver/defensive back Owen Louwers coming back.

It will be very interesting to see what happens with Royal Oak this season. My thoughts on the hire will be mentioned on next week’s podcast.

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