Written Saturday March 23rd at 8:40 PM
This column will be updated periodically with the recent updates around Girls Basketball.
West Bloomfield: The Lakers have
had an incredible four years winning their second State crown in three years
and making it to the Breslin Center three straight years. West Bloomfield won 26
games this season. They lose Taylor Graves, Destiny Washington, Summer Davis,
Indya Davis, and Kendell Hendrix to graduation. West Bloomfield has Ava Lord,
Sheridan Beal, Breanna Gamble-Jones, Breasia Gamble-Jones, Jordyn Ratliff,
Jaylee Head, and London Hall coming back for Coach Darin McAllister. Program
strength is very concerning for McAllister. The Lakers should be in the mix
next season but the offseason without Washington and the Davis sisters will be
very interesting to watch.
Rochester: The Falcons had a very
interesting season which saw a ton of ups and downs. They played a Division
Three final four team in Rochester Lutheran Northwest. Rochester won nine
games this season but did make the district finals for a fifth straight year
where they fell 37-32 to Stoney Creek. They lose five seniors in Yasmine
Larkins, Natasha Forbes, Kaitlyn Guolla, Makenna Torri, and Ava Kucera to
graduation. Rochester has Alice Max, Kylie Robinson, Lucy Cook, Angela
Cichowski, Taylor Parsons, and Erica Procter coming back for new coach Andrew Topie. Topie was an assistant under Coach Bill Thurston. Program strength is very good with a 20 win
year in junior varsity. The Falcons will be a team to watch this offseason,
they should be in the mix next season.
Stoney Creek: The Cougars had a
strong postseason which resulted in winning 20 games. They fell 49-27 to Grand
Blanc in the Division One State Quarterfinals. Stoney Creek loses Sarah
LaPrarie who had 1,000 career points along with Faith Conliff to graduation. They have
Merrick Schlawbach, Izzy Ivezaj, Calista Ivezaj, Abigail Ivezaj, Mikayla
Gendich, Addy Allen, Samantha Fulkerson, Taylor Fulkerson, Sophie Budzick, and
Jenna Cook coming back for Coach Columbus Williams. Program strength is very
troubling for Stoney Creek. The postseason run could convince more kids to come
out and play. The Cougars should be very good again next season but program
strength is their biggest concern this offseason.
Lake Orion: The Dragons played a
tough schedule which featured a team that was in the Division Four State title
game (Kingston) and a Division Three Final Four team (Rochester Lutheran
Northwest.) They suffered a heartbreaking 41-40 loss to Clarkston in the
district finals where they led most of the game but the Wolves made one final
play in that game. Lake Orion won 15 games with a very young team after losing
nine seniors from last season’s team that went to the regional finals. They
lose Lexi Stroschein, Ellie Britt, Xana Cuesta, Ally Jones, and Ryann Pawlacyzk
to graduation. The Dragons have Izzy Wotlinski, Charlotte Peplowski, Neveah
Wood, Grace Hoensheid, Riley House, Lauren LaForge, and Dani Heck coming back
for Coach Bob Brydges. The summer will be the key for Lake Orion especially
when it comes to building depth. Program strength is solid for Brydges. They
will be back.
Clarkston: The Wolves had a very
strong year winning 19 games while playing a very tough schedule this season.
Clarkston fell in a heartbreaker 44-42 to Grand Blanc in the regional finals.
They lose Claire Walker, Emily Valencia, and Kate Thomas to graduation. The
Wolves have Brooklyn Covert, Elliana Robak, Marley Mazur, Ella Morgner, Ellery
Hernandez, Kayla Butki, Lauren Fishtaller, Keira Zorski, Lexi Fry, and Jenna
Thomas coming back for Coach Aaron Goodnough. Program strength will be
something to watch this offseason, Clarkston will be back with a ton of proven
experience next season.
Oxford: The Wildcats had an up and down winning 11 games this season. Oxford fell 60-38 to Grand
Blanc in the district finals. It's the fourth time they lost to Grand Blanc in
the postseason. They lose Braydee Elling, Peyton Richter, Abigail Snable, and
Lexie Yankee to graduation. The Wildcats have Allison Hufstedler, Sophia Rabb,
Emma Beggs, Mia Champagne, Tegan O’Connor, Brynley Cardona, Camryn Quidort,
Jaylen Jacobsen, Katelyn Brockway, and Claire Bruski coming back but they will have a new coach after Coach
Rachel Bryer stepped down. Program strength looks solid for their new coach next season. It should be a
very interesting summer for Oxford this offseason.
Royal Oak: The Ravens had a
season of firsts despite not winning the White this season. They won 19 games which included their
first district title after going on the road and beating Warren Cousino 43-41 on an Emmy Walden layup. Royal Oak shocked Grosse Pointe North 53-48 behind 24 points
from Lucy Freytag in the regional semifinals. They were no match for West
Bloomfield falling 58-25 in the regional finals. They lose seven
seniors in Cecilia Irwin, Walden, Emilie Austin, Megan Haun, Riley Danaher,
Katrina Malinich, and Anna Waterstreet to graduation. The Ravens have Freytag,
Lydia Dickens, Hannah Saunders, Jordan Hills, Vivian Lawrence, and Maddie
Lawrence coming back for Coach Brian Sopota. Program strength looks to be solid
for Royal Oak. A ton of firsts for a program that seems to be on the rise.
Bloomfield Hills: The Blackhawks had
a ton of success winning 32 games in the last two years including 14 games this season. They won their first league crown
(Blue) last season, along with sharing the White (Seaholm,) and winning their first
district crown (Seaholm 49-46 in overtime) this season. They fell to Stoney Creek 47-40 in the regional
semifinals. Bloomfield Hills loses Ashley Forner, Michelle Barnett, Allie Tepper, ArTeina Hicks, and Ruby
Smith to graduation. They have Brianna Young, Brianna Brooks, and Giselle
Haddad coming back for a new coach after Coach Kristen Massey stepped down.
Program strength looks to be solid for the Blackhawks. They will be back next
season.
Harper Woods: The Pioneers had an
up and down year winning 10 games this season. They had no issues with their district over Eastpointe and Harper
Woods Chandler Park. The Pioneers had a really tough loss to Warren Fitzgerald
52-51 in the regional semifinals. Harper Woods loses a ton of proven experience
including Kendall Kelsey to graduation. They have Amari Hutchinson and Laniyah
West coming back for Coach LaTonya Tate. Program strength is a big concern for the
Pioneers heading into next season. There are a ton of questions this offseason
for Harper Woods.
Seaholm: The Maples won 15 games this season but had a
very painful overtime loss falling 49-46 to Bloomfield Hills in the district
finals. They lose three seniors in Mary Wiltgen, Caroline Newitt, and
Clara Guffey to graduation. Seaholm has Addy Flynn, Mary Gumbus, Taylor
Hartwig, Emma Weber, Sophie Sullivan, Ella Koosis, Addy Kitzman, Jada
Josifovski, and Elia Gifford coming back for Coach Chris Manchester. Program
strength looks to be solid for Manchester. The Maples have a ton of proven
experience coming back next season. They will be back.
Groves: The Falcons were up and
down winning eight games this season. Groves had some big wins and some tough losses along the way.
The Falcons fell 47-35 to Royal Oak in the district semifinals. Groves loses
Cira Racco, Talese Alexander, Cameron Little, Taryn Brown, and Neveah Cockran-McCay
to graduation. They have Harlem Simpson, Jacey Roy, Aniyah White, Rose Strada,
Sophie Schwanik, and Micah Smith coming back. They will have a new coach next season as Coach Alison Hidey has stepped down. Program
strength will be very interesting to watch. The Falcons will be a team to watch
this offseason.
North Farmington: The Raiders had
a very interesting season which had a 7-0 start but went 5-12 down the
stretch winning 12 games. North Farmington fell 66-7 to West Bloomfield in the district
semifinals. They lose nine seniors including Hannah Hart, Asiyah Jihad,
Addison Armstrong, Madison Clark, and Anaiyah Billups to graduation. The Raiders have
Jade Spears, Quyaamah Jihad, Shylah Tarin, and Shalaya Rogers coming back for
Coach Michael Allin. Program strength is a huge concern for North Farmington.
They will be a team to watch this offseason.
Southfield Arts and Tech: The
Warriors won 13 games this season. They have some questions on the defensive side of the basketball. Southfield Arts and Tech had a really rough night on both sides of the floor getting blown out
by Detroit Renaissance 91-30 in the district semifinals. The Warriors lose two seniors
including Jamyra Fritz to graduation. Southfield Arts and Tech has Christian
Banks and Jordyn Ushery coming back for Coach Shaquita Coltrane. Program
strength is a big concern for the Warriors going forward. Southfield Arts and
Tech will be a very interesting team to watch this offseason.
Troy: The Colts had a bounce back year after having it rough in the Red. They won 14 games and the Blue along with earning the top seed in their district but the postseason woes continued as they 64-46
to Bloomfield Hills in the district semifinals. Troy loses two seniors in Justine Perakis and Teodora Blad to
graduation. They have a very young team with Diamond Prince, Reagan Zeiter,
Carly Higginbottom, Olivia Sprangler, Sophia Kaltsounis, Kelsey Block, Aly Matuza, Savannah Oddy, Victoria Siegan, Shavani Angadi, Brianna Bert, and Lizzie Dobbs coming back for Coach Laura Guzman and that’s not mentioning Macey
Zeiter who is coming into the program next season. Program strength looks solid
especially with Zeiter coming in. The Colts could be a force to watch next
season.
Berkley: The Bears had a great season which featured a ton of monster wins along with postseason wins over Redford Thurston (42-9) and Detroit Mumford (44-36.) Berkley knew they
would have a very tall order against Detroit Renaissance in the district finals
in which they fell 60-29 to a very good Phoenix team. It was a resurgence year
for the Bears which featured a very odd Twitter feed but that’s beside the
point. Berkley won 19 games this season. They lose four seniors in Kate McAllister, Addison Hambright, Chloe
Harmon, and Maeve Nolan to graduation. Berkley has Avery Wintergarden, Maddie
Boswall, Katelyn Sills, Nadia Watt, Hailey Kirkwood, Blessing Nweke, Caleigh
Tracy, Olivia Church, and Z Diop coming back for Coach Clay Shaver. Program
strength looks very strong for Shaver. The Bears will be back in the mix next
season.
Adams: The Highlanders had a
really interesting year which they won seven games including a 53-50 first
round win over Utica Eisenhower. Adams battled to the very end falling 48-39
to Stoney Creek in the district semifinals. The Highlanders lose four seniors including Samantha Blaine,
Bella Gutherie, and Olivia Marcial to graduation. They have Faith Zoldus, Neveah Williams, and Lily Tomahauk coming back for
Coach Joe Malburg. Program strength looks very solid. Adams will be back next
season.
Troy Athens: The Red Hawks had an
up and down year which they won nine games this season. Troy Athens hosted their district and had a very tough 59-46 loss
to Bloomfield Hills on their home floor in the first round. They lose four seniors in Ava Lauder, Abby Malone, Kellyn
Witherspoon, and Katy Keller to graduation. The Red Hawks have Yasmeen Dabbish, Alex Link, and Faraida
Youseff coming back for Coach Stacie Klumpp. Program strength looks solid for
Klumpp especially their freshmen class. Troy Athens should be a program to watch this offseason.
Farmington: The Falcons had a
really challenging year. They were blown out by North Farmington 72-29 in the first
round this season. Coach Natalie Nowak’s team lost their top player Jayla
Silver to a torn ACL she suffered a few weeks ago. They also lose Tiara McCoy,
Arianna Wilson, Farynn Ellington, and Linda O’marialiske to graduation. The
Falcons have Edimari King, Alexis Gebs, Emma Mohr, Anna Toranchuk, Grace
Lamott, Gaia Demeester, Mya Jones, Sydney Nogas, and Kate Martin coming back
for Nowak. Program strength will be very interesting to see. Farmington will be
a very interesting team to watch next season.
Avondale: The Yellow Jackets had
an injury riddled season which they won eight games. They fell 59-34 to Seaholm in the district
semifinals. Avondale had a very young team which the future looks very bright and could be in line for a bounce back season. They lose Trinitee
Carroll to graduation. The Yellow Jackets have Madison Manyweathers,
Morgan McPherson, Amaria Daniel, Khaila Bradley, Giavanni Hollie-Jackson, Sasha
McClellan, and Janaye Richardson coming back for Coach Roy Christmon. Program
strength is a big concern for Christmon despite all the proven experience coming back on the varsity. Avondale will be very interesting to
watch next season.
Ferndale: The Eagles had a very
good season where they won 16 games and made the district finals. Ferndale fell
69-43 to a really good Birmingham Detroit Country Day program. They lose Isabella
Mendoza and Jayla Pouncy to graduation. The Eagles have Aaliyah Frost, Inaya
Davis, Demi Bolton, Janiya Larry, Masiah Clark, Kathleen DeVillena, and Keyanna
McGarrell coming back for Coach Keith Paris. Ferndale also has a strong eighth
grade class coming in next season but program strength is a question mark. Paris
wants his program to make the next step but program strength especially program
building (building a JV and freshman team) is a concern this offseason.
Ferndale University: It was a
really rough year for the Eagles and Coach Brianna Rowe. They went through a lot of growing pains. Ferndale University fell 59-14 to
Detroit Lincoln King Academy in the first round. The Eagles were very young and
inexperienced. They will have their entire team led by LeAnna Spencer,
Gabrielle Thompson, Kayla Sanders, Taniyah Crawford, Tamary Powell, Kendall
Spencer, and Jayda Wilson coming back. Ferndale University will be much better
heading into next season with a ton of proven experience coming back.
Oak Park: The Knights really
struggled scoring which is one of the reasons they won five games this season. Oak Park fell 78-31 to Southfield Arts and Tech
in the first round. They lose six seniors including Temilola Waterton, Tania
Livingston, Taylor Adamson, Sydney Brown and Jade Brown to graduation. The
Knights have Mackenzie Blake, Madison Johnson-Williams, Sienna Walker, and
Gabrielle Lee coming back for Coach Tyler Washington. Program strength is a big
concern for Oak Park Washington needs to address scoring if the Knights want to
take the next step next season.
Pontiac: The Phoenix dropped
out of the postseason despite winning five games this season which was a huge improvement from two years ago where they didn't win a game. Pontiac should be much improved next season for Coach
Christopher Wright and the Phoenix. It was surprising that they didn’t have
enough players to make the postseason. Program strength has been a major concern and it will be next season. Pontiac has several proven players
coming back and will look to make some noise next season.
