Written Monday December 23rd at 5:18 PM
As we head into 2025 here are some storylines to keep an eye on in the divisions.
Girls
Gold
Farmington: 40 Points is the Magic Number: The Falcons are right there with most of the teams but it’s when they struggle defensively is where they struggle. Farmington needs to score over 40 points to be successful in which they have done only once. This is the magic number for the Falcons to win games is to get over that 40 point plateau.
Ferndale University: Turnaround has Started: The turnaround has clearly started for the Eagles. Ferndale University had not won a game last season, they have won four games and two losses by a combined six points this month. Credit the players and new coach Bennie Szczepkowski for the turnaround. Could the Eagles be a player for the Gold??? that would be a big storyline heading into 2025.
Pontiac: Winning over other Public Schools: The Phoenix have been very successful against teams with the Prep and Academy names going 2-0 but have went 0-3 against others and haven’t been competitive. Pontiac needs to fix this against public schools if they want to keep growing as a program.
Oak Park: Scoring: The Knights have been struggling scoring. They have scored 37 total points including nine points total in two games. Oak Park needs to fix this if they are going to want to be competitive going forward.
Blue
Avondale: Health: The Yellow Jackets are healthier which has helped Coach Roy Christmon and the reason for their start. It’s keeping his roster healthy that is the key to Avondale’s season. If Christmon can keep his team healthy then no doubt this is a team that can win the Blue, so far they are off to a really good start.
Adams: Health: The Highlanders have gotten off to a strong start winning three straight to close out 2024. The injury to Faith Zoldus has been hard but Coach Joe Malburg’s team has somehow managed to play well without Zoldus. When she comes back, Adams will have another all around player that can make some noise. The Highlanders could be the most dangerous team heading into 2025 with their play.
Berkley: Different Styles: The Bears have been off to a solid start winning five straight until they ran into Seaholm. The issues are still there for Coach Clay Shaver handling different styles and speeds, that’s what happened to them against Detroit Renaissance. That will still be the challenge for Shaver and Berkley heading into 2025.
Troy Athens: Consistency: The Red Hawks have been up and down as of late. Troy Athens has gotten some good play from their veterans and newcomers which has to please Coach Stacie Klumpp. The win against Troy is huge for their confidence but the loss to Utica Eisenhower and almost loss to North Farmington looks really concerning. Consistency will be something to watch for Troy Athens in 2025.
Southfield Arts and Tech: Defense: The Warriors have been an offensive machine but for Coach Shaquita Coltrane the defense has been the problem area and against proven teams. Southfield Arts and Tech did allow 46 in a 46-42 loss to Berkley but the 74 against West Bloomfield is a troubling area. The offense has been a strong point for the Warriors it’s the defense that Coltrane needs to address heading into 2025.
North Farmington: Growing Pains: The Raiders have a really young lineup however they have shown some real competitiveness in the last two games which gives me some optimism. They had a tough loss to Troy Athens but beat Walled Lake Central. North Farmington needs this young lineup to grow which could help Coach Michael Allin into the future. They have taken some lumps but they have been working hard heading into 2025.
Harper Woods: Off the Court Issues: The Pioneers are in a terrible spot with the off the court issues. It is unknown if Harper Woods will play in 2024 and head into 2025 with a clean slate. They will be in a hole in the Blue with two losses via forfeits. It will be very interesting to see what the Pioneers do heading into the new year.
White
Seaholm: Resolve: The Maples had a strong 2024 with a come from behind 48-44 win over Ferndale. Seaholm has a ton of proven experience and now add the never say attitude from this group which says wonders for Coach Chris Manchester. I would not want to see the Maples in the postseason with what they have. If they keep this up the White is theirs.
Rochester: Guards: The Falcons have been up and down but the last two games the offense has picked up for Coach Andy Toppie. Alice Max has been really consistent for Rochester and she has gotten some help. The guards are still a concern for Toppie heading into 2025. If they can get the guard situation figured out then the Falcons could be a player in the White.
Royal Oak: 40 points is Magic Number: The Ravens have been a really hard team to figure out. Royal Oak’s magic number has been to score over 40 points in which they are 2-0 in doing that, 0-3 in the rest of their games. The defense has not been Coach Brian Sopota like which is not good. The Ravens are in a crossroads heading into 2025.
Groves: Progress: The Falcons record looks very deceiving at the moment but they are starting to get more of new Coach Jessica Duleba’s system. The 48-44 loss to Avondale is a start and if they can get their two guards Harlem Simpson and Jacey Roy going along with a post presence then that could be the start of something for Groves. They aren’t there yet but there are some signs and they are getting there.
Troy: Health and Defense: The Colts have had a very disappointing start to the season which included an injury to Diamond Prince. Troy has had a rough start to Coach Laura Guzman’s first season and made a run in the middle to the end of the season. The goals are still there for the Colts and Prince could come back which would help big time heading into 2025.
Bloomfield Hills: Defense: The Blackhawks got a big win to close out 2024 putting up 73 points against Flint Kearsley. Defense has been an issue for Bloomfield Hills which they still need to address. Brianna Young needs to be great if Bloomfield Hills wants to win games for Coach Renardo Brown. If Young can get some help heading into 2025, it will go a long way to help the Blackhawks fortunes.
Red
West Bloomfield: Defense: The Lakers are off to a rough start to the season which is very unusual for Coach Darrin McAllister. It’s players have been adjusting to new roles along with a very tough non conference schedule. They have been allowing a ton of points which is very concerning. West Bloomfield will look to 2025 as an opportunity to reset and to turn things around.
Clarkston: Dependence on Starters: The Wolves have played a tough non conference schedule but have gotten their bench some time as well which helps into the future. Clarkston still has a tough non conference ahead of them. Complacency and overworking his starters is a concern for Coach Aaron Goodnough going into 2025. If Goodnough can keep developing his bench it will help the Wolves into the future.
Ferndale: Depth/Program Strength: The Eagles have lost a ton of close games and have gotten a ton of experience against good teams but too much could be very dangerous especially for morale. Coach Keith Paris arraigned his not conference schedule to be very challenging with showcase games. Program strength has been another issue for Ferndale. With Red play coming, it could get tough for Paris and the Eagles especially with everyone in this division having program strength heading into 2025.
Stoney Creek: Offense: The Cougars were coming off a really tough loss to Walled Lake Northern to start the season but have since won four straight and started to become the team that was expected heading into the season. Stoney Creek has benefited from a not as strong a non conference slate. Depth is a concern for Coach Columbus Williams heading into 2025 which will be some to watch.
Lake Orion: Turnovers: The Dragons are slowly starting to put things together but this is far from a finished product. Izzy Wotlinski has really carried the load for Lake Orion in their seven games but she didn’t play the fourth quarter in their 56-29 win over Bay City Western which helps when it comes to rest. Charlotte Peplowski has been key for Coach Bob Brydges when it comes to having her on the floor. Also the younger players have started to show signs of breaking out. It’s a work in progress for Brydges and his program heading into 2025.
Oxford: Health: It has been a turbulent season for the Wildcats which saw four coaches in six months take over the program. Oxford has had a ton of close losses but have seem to be heading in the right direction. Coach Trevor Marshall has done a good job keeping the girls together. It will be very interesting to see what the Wildcats do in 2025.
Boys
Blue
Bloomfield Hills: Size: The Blackhawks have been off to a great start but they took a very tough 44-42 loss to Royal Oak on their home floor. Bloomfield Hills has been very good most of the season for Coach Brian Canfield but there is still more to be done. The Blackhawks will look to have a strong 2025.
Pontiac: Size: The Phoenix have up and down but they have been scoring points which is a good thing for new coach DeQuan Washington. JJ Claudio has been a big part for Pontiac which has shown and they have gotten off to a great start despite the loss to Bloomfield Hills. The Phoenix are in a very interesting spot in the league race but they do control their own destiny heading into 2025.
Royal Oak: Doubts: The Ravens earned a huge 44-42 win over Bloomfield Hills keeping them in the discussion for the league crown. The stigma has bothered Coach Aaron Smith and his program. Royal Oak has always started strong but have struggled late. It will be very interesting to see if the Ravens can sustain success as we head into 2025.
Stoney Creek: Droughts: The Cougars are in a very interesting spot. It is clear that Coach Jeff Olind’s team is in a much better place than in the last two years but they still have some issues when it comes to droughts. That is the biggest concern for Stoney Creek heading into 2025 is the droughts. If the Cougars can address this then they could make some noise not only in the Blue but also the district as well in 2025.
Rochester: Injury to Jake Tandy: The Falcons took a huge hit as their star forward Jake Tandy is out with an injury. He should be back by the end of January or early February. It will a ton of pressure on Max Muhl and company and it will be a big test for Coach Nick Evola and Rochester to see how they respond to this adversity heading into 2025.
Ferndale University: Step Backwards: The Eagles have seen a big improvement going 4-0 in the non conference but they had two tough home losses to Stoney Creek and Rochester before heading into break. Coach Josh Nicks has done a good job rebuilding this program also they have a win over Southfield Arts and Tech as well. Ferndale University will be a team to watch heading into 2025.
Southfield Arts and Tech: Sustainability: The Warriors have been up and down which included their first league win over Berkley. Southfield Arts and Tech battles hard and has two tough games to close out 2024. Coach Terrance Porter has an improved team but can it produce results, that’s the key heading into 2025.
Berkley: Chemistry: The Bears are going through a tough transition period. Coach Joe Sermo has a nice blend of youth and experience despite the record. Berkley will be a really interesting team to watch especially chemistry wise heading into 2025.
White
Lake Orion: Health: The Dragons have been hard hit with injuries but they have somehow managed to go 4-4 with a very tough schedule which included the likes of Clarkston, Adams, Macomb Dakota, Plymouth Canton, and Novi. Coach Jose Andrades has done a excellent job with what he has. It will be very interesting to see what Lake Orion does when they get healthy heading into 2025.
Oxford: Size: The Wildcats are rolling to their first 8-0 start in school history but the schedule hasn’t been the toughest but they are 8-0 bottom line. Oxford has a ton of proven experience for Coach Joe Fedorinchik which has been huge. The schedule should toughen up heading into 2025. The Wildcats are in a very good place to make some noise in the White but also in the postseason with Grand Blanc’s recent struggles despite they are playing a tough schedule.
Troy: Robin to Mason Parker: The Colts have had things rough as of late. Troy relies a ton on Mason Parker to win games for Coach Gary Fralick. It is clear that the Colts need a Robin to Parker’s Batman. Troy has a tough stretch of games coming up but they still are one of the favorites in the postseason because of Parker. It will be very interesting to see who becomes the Robin for Fralick heading into 2025.
Farmington: Consistency: The Falcons are in a much better place in Coach Byron Johnson’s second year but the inconsistencies remain. Farmington is a Jekyll and Hyde team, they have shown greatness but they have shown some kinks in the armor. It will be very interesting to see what team the Falcons will look like heading into 2025.
Troy Athens: Finding Success: The Red Hawks have really improved in the last two games which included beating Harper Woods and taking Lake Orion to the brink. Coach Mitchell Vercellino has done a nice job in his first season as varsity coach being patient and finding something that can work heading into 2025. Troy Athens will be a team to watch going forward.
Seaholm: Finding Success: The Maples are in a much better place despite their record. The last two games have been battles for Coach Spenser Adams and his program. The sub varsities have been very good for Adams and they’ve been in tight games. Seaholm will be fine heading into 2025 with the direction Adams has them at.
Oak Park: Familiarity: The Knights have played three games and they look like a different team. Oak Park has struggled which is very unusual for a Coach Durrand Sheppard team. The lack of games has hurt Sheppard’s program. Got to wonder if the Knights will play more games heading into 2025.
Harper Woods: Competitiveness: The Pioneers had an opening night win over Detroit East English Village Prep but have lost four straight since which they were competitive in one of those four losses. Harper Woods is a young team but they have had things very challenging. It could be a very tough road for Coach TaJuan Porter and the Pioneers in 2025.
Red
Groves: Complacency: The Falcons are coming off a very tough loss to Detroit Martin Luther King but they are fine despite the loss. Groves will look to make a ton of noise heading into the postseason. Coach Marc West has done a nice job with a veteran heavy team. If the Falcons keep improving then they could be in line for a deep postseason run heading into 2025.
Clarkston: Complacency: The Wolves are in a really good spot despite falling to Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit. Clarkston has done a nice job with their starting five along with developing a bench for Coach Tim Waslik. There is a ton of upside to look at with the Wolves heading into 2025.
Avondale: Size: The Yellow Jackets are rolling in the Red and they have fit right in. There are some concerns with Coach Jaret Thomas’s program if they can stay long term. Avondale has a tough schedule looming but they have been very competitive despite the size issues. The Yellow Jackets will be a team to watch in 2025.
Ferndale: Morale: The Eagles have played a tough schedule which resulted in their rough start. Ethan Vinyard has been the key for Ferndale’s season and will be heading into 2025. Coach Juan Rickman needs to find someone to help out Vinyard especially with a very tough district looming which has Warren Lincoln in it. Morale will be key for Rickman heading into 2025 with the tough schedule night in and night out.
West Bloomfield: Defense: The Lakers have had a rough start to the season but it should help them later in the year especially when they are in a district that has Orchard Lake St. Marys in it. West Bloomfield has had a ton of issues stopping people allowing over 50 points in each game this season. If your Coach Arnette Jordan, you have to fix your defensive woes, if they can’t then they just can’t outscore opponents. It will be very interesting to see what Jordan does with the Lakers in 2025.
North Farmington: Experience: It was going to be a very interesting season for Coach Todd Negoshian. The inexperience has cost them two games and they have a tough schedule looming. The Raiders are in a very interesting spot. They need to get experienced really fast heading into 2025.
Adams: Droughts: The Highlanders have been up and down as of late. Adams has been very inconsistent when it comes to results. They have two games in 2024 before heading into 2025. Coach Isiah Novak has done a good job thus far. It will be very interesting to see how the Highlanders handle consistency heading into 2025.
