Written Saturday March 19th at 3:30 PM
Updated Saturday April 16th at 6:00 PM
It was a great season for the OAA especially when it came to the postseason. There is a Division One State Champ that was crowned, a team that pulled off a huge upset to win a district title, a team that went through two Macomb County powerhouses to get to the quarterfinals, and several schools getting to the regional rounds. Congrats to everyone on a great season. Here are the shortcomings for each program.
West Bloomfield: The Lakers were on a mission toward a Division One State crown this season. They achieved that mission. West Bloomfield won the Red, knocked off Detroit Edison, made their first Division One State final since 1989, and won their first ever Division One State Championship. The Lakers had not lost a Red game in two years. West Bloomfield didn’t play in the postseason because they were in COVID-19 protocol last season. Coach Darrin McAllister has done a great job in his first season with the program winning 25 games. The Lakers State title postseason run went through Groves, Birmingham Marian, Farmington Hills Mercy, Grosse Pointe North, Troy, Rockford, and Hartland in the postseason. They lose Myonna Hooper, Zaneiya Bastiste, Miracle Whitfield, Morgan Shropshire, and Shayanne Taylor to graduation. West Bloomfield has Ava Lord, Gabby Williams, Jaylee Head, Jada Vaughn, Gabrielle Hale, Destiny Washington, Summer Davis, Indya Davis, Kendall Hendrix, and Sydney Hendrix coming back. Program strength is a concern for McAllister. The Lakers should be back in the State title picture again next season.
Clarkston: It was an incredible season for the Wolves.
Clarkston won a district crown for the third straight season. They beat their arch rivals Lake Orion in the regional semifinals, and made the regional finals. The Wolves had a chance to beat Hartland but missed a really tough shot at the end which gave the Eagles the 48-46 escape. Clarkston won 17 games for first year Coach Aaron Goodnough. They lose Maddy Skourpski, Izzy Hadley, Kaitlyn
Thierry, and Sophia Walker to graduation. Skourpski and Hadley will be very tough to replace however they could be very balanced next season. The Wolves have Keira Tolmie, Emily
Valencia, Mia Zorski, Ava Hernandez, Claire Walker, Anna Thomas, Marley Maxur,
Wiley Gibbs, Ella Morgner, and Olivia Gray coming back. Program strength looks to be solid. It will be very
interesting to see what Clarkston does heading into next season.
Stoney Creek: The Cougars had a really great year winning 14 games. One of those wins came against Grosse Pointe North whom was state ranked at the time. Stoney Creek fell to Lake Orion in the district semifinals. They lose Emma Demetral, Milana Skoric, Mackenzie Walker, Kendall Binfet, Riley Binfet, and Sydney LaPrarie to graduation. The foundation is there for Coach Kellen James. The Cougars have Sarah LaPrarie, Mia Carson, Erin Flynn, Liberty Allen, Lily Solek, and Merrick Schwalbach coming back. Program strength looks very solid. Stoney Creek should be a force to be a recon with next season.
Groves: It was a transition year for the Falcons which saw a new coach take over the program and a ton of changes to the roster and program. Groves won 10 games which included a win over arch rival Seaholm in the first round. The Falcons played a very good West Bloomfield program three times including in the district semifinals. They lose Destiny McCurdy to graduation. Groves has Kaitlyn Sanders, Cira Racco, Cameron Little, Lily Gallagher, Dana Wesley, Ella Blank, Nevaeh McCay, Jean Smith, Payge Charnas, and Kirsten Jasinski coming back for Coach Alison Hidey. Program strength is still a major concern. There are major question marks and concerns for the Falcons heading into next season but for now they seem to be heading in the right direction.
Troy: It was an incredible year and especially in the postseason for Troy. This postseason makes up for all the postseason struggles the program has went through in the last three years (Utica twice and once to Rochester.) The Colts were middle of the pack in the Red but the postseason made up for everything. Troy earned their first ever regional crown and their first district crown since 2001 with wins over arch rival Troy Athens and Macomb County powerhouses Macomb L’Anse Creuse North, St. Clair Shores Lakeview, and Warren Cousino. The Colts fell for the third time to a very talented West Bloomfield program in the State quarterfinals. Troy won 13 games this season. They lose Kendal Zeiter, Charlotte Sobotka, Elena Zesses, Mia Valaotis, and Alyssa Matuza to graduation. The Colts have Lizzie Butzyzk, Avery Allen, Charlotte Guillion, Raegan Zeiter, Shaivani Angadi, Victoria Siegan, and Zoe Silver coming back for Coach Julius Porter. Program strength is a concern going forward despite having two impactful freshman in Carly Higginbotham and Maci Zeiter entering the program. Troy will be very young next season but this postseason they will have a ton of great memories. It was a great season for the Colts.
Royal Oak: It was really rough for the Ravens this year. They had a lot of youth and inexperience. Royal Oak won three games this season but lost six of their last seven games by 12 points or less. The Ravens played very well defensively against Detroit Renaissance by holding them to 34 points despite falling by 14 points in the district semifinals. The foundation is there to build on for next season. Royal Oak has Elly Finch, Anna Waterstredt, Lucy Freytag, Emmy Walden, Izzy Fairless, Alania Morello, Emilee Austin, Maddie Lawrence, and Hannah Sanders coming back. Program strength looks to be coming back with Lydia Dickens being a player to watch for Coach Brian Sopota. The Ravens should be a very interesting team to watch next season.
Southfield Arts and Tech: The Warriors have had a very inconsistent year. They won five games this season. Southfield Arts and Tech looked very good by blowing out very bad teams and when they play good teams they get blown out. The inconsistency really showed all season including in their postseason loss to Farmington Hills Mercy in the district semifinals. They lose three seniors to graduation. The Warriors have Christian Banks, Kamira Paige, Jordan Ushery, and Jaylin Austin coming back for Coach Shiquita Coltraine. Program strength is a big concern for Southfield Arts and Tech. The Warriors could be in some trouble unless they address program strength and their inconsistent play next season.
Rochester: The Falcons had a great year winning 18 games and the White this season. Rochester could not get past the district for the third time in four years. The Falcons fell to Lake Orion in the district finals. They lose Abby Breitschuch and Lulu Taliercio to graduation. Rochester has a ton proven experience led by their two proven towers in forwards Alice Max and Kiley Robinson along with proven guards in Natalie Rayce, Abbey Pleasant, Ava Williams, Lindsey Gleason, Stevie Norgrove, Alana Webb, Melina Troy, and Trinia Mollicone coming back for Coach Bill Thurston. Program strength looks to be solid for Thurston and his program. The Falcons are in a very good place heading into next season.
Lake Orion: It was a very challenging, tough, but rewarding season for the Dragons. Lake Orion went through a ton of adversity especially early. They won 18 games for the first time since 2009 when they went to the Class A State Semifinals at Eastern Michigan. The Dragons earned their first district crown since 2010 after beating Stoney Creek and Rochester in the district semifinals and finals. Lake Orion fell to a very good Clarkston program in the regional semifinals where they were in the game for three quarters. They lose Olivia Peplowski, Katie Van Heck, Maddie Wolfe, and Kaitlyn Mitchell to graduation. The Dragons have Maddie Ebbert, Kylie Heck, Chloe Wiegers, Taylor Dinda, Jodie McCaffery, Audrey Wischmeyer, Grace Sullivan, Fontana Blackney, Ali May, Bella Gonzales, Ryan Pawlacyzk, and Lexi Stroschein coming back for Coach Bob Brydges. Program strength is very strong. Lake Orion should be a force next season.
Oxford: The Wildcats overcame a ton of adversity this season. They bounced back after a really rough start to win 12 games. The MPR has not been kind since the formula was introduced to the girls basketball world two years ago. Oxford has had to play Grand Blanc in the district semifinals despite having the second best MPR in the district but the matchups were pre determined which the matchups released the week before the end of the regular season. Oxford was behind Davison in the MPR at the time which meant they were the C team in the district and had to play the top seed which was the Bobcats. The Wildcats fell to Grand Blanc for the second straight season. They lose Kayla Casper and Elizabeth Gonzales to graduation. Oxford has Miranda Wynemkio, Peyton Ritcher, Sophia Rabb, Braydee Elling, Alison Huffsteder, and Nevadeh Wood coming back for Coach Rachel Bryer. Program strength looks to be solid. The Wildcats as long as the MPR Gods give them a break should be very good next season.
Berkley: It was a great season for the Bears. They had a ton of ups and downs despite winning 13 games in Coach Cody Feltner's first season. The postseason made up for the ups and downs Berkley had this season. The Bears were the second seed in their district at Detroit Renaissance. They beat Detroit Mumford in the district semifinals in a hard fought game. Berkley sent shock waves through the State when they stunned Division One State finalist Detroit Renaissance on the road by 20 points in the district finals earning their first district crown in 28 years. The Bears came into the regional with house money but Berkley fell to a very strong Grosse Pointe North program in the regional semifinals. They lose Ashley Loon and Aurora Sousanis to graduation. The Bears have Maeve Nolan, Sammi Withrow, Jillian Gomes, Mya Jones, Ava Beard, Avery Wintergarden, Dakya Cunningham, Addison Hambright, and Maddi Bonsall coming back. A player to watch in the future will be Nadia Watt. If Feltner can build on program strength and develop a freshman program it would be a huge deal. I think with the district crown and the regional semifinal appearance, it sets the program well ahead into the future.
North Farmington: The Raiders had a very interesting year this season. They beat Bloomfield Hills in the first round but fell to a very talented Birmingham Marian program in the district semifinals. North Farmington won 12 games this season after really struggling early. They lose Alyssa Peak, Jenna Lee, and Lucy Lazaryan to graduation. The Raiders have Sela Lefler, Penelope Creary, Eliza Muller, Asiyah Jihad, Sam Hoffer, Amarriah Merriweather, Hannah Hart, and Halee Rogers coming back for Coach Jeff Simpson next season. Program strength is a major concern. North Farmington should be in the mix next season with the experience coming back but if Simpson doesn’t address program strength then it could be a rough few years going forward.
Adams: It was a very interesting year for the Highlanders which saw a lot of change and transition. Adams had a complete culture shock this past offseason. They changed coaches and changed the culture. The Highlanders had things very difficult early but really caught fire late in the season. Adams won seven games this season but fell to a very good Lake Orion program in the first round of districts. They lose Madison Kessman, Emma Klott, and Abbey Drahnak to graduation. The Highlanders have Samantha Blaine, Olivia Marcial, AuJayna Howard, and Taylor Green coming back for Coach Joe Malburg. Program strength is a major concern despite Malburg brining back three programs. Malburg has a ton of questions they need to address this offseason. This will be a program to watch for sure.
Troy Athens: There were a ton of ups and downs for the Red Hawks. They had some expectations coming into the season after their late season success in 2020-2021 which included a upset road victory over Oxford but couldn't make the postseason because of COVID-19 protocols. Troy Athens won six games which one was over arch rival Troy in December but the Colts got them back in the district semifinals. They lose Gillian Ciak, Bea Cortes, Erin Turnbach, and Cece Fey to graduation. The Red Hawks have Ella Musto, Rebekah Delia, Lily Batzold, Fiona Wingblad, Kayci Mersier, Abby Malone, Alex Link, and Skylar Emerson coming back for Coach Stacie Klumpp. Program strength will be very interesting to watch this offseason. Troy Athens will have to replace some scoring and experience. The Red Hawks should be in the mix next season but the offseason will be key.
Bloomfield Hills: The Blackhawks were much improved and have gotten better throughout the season. Their record did not show it but they were in a ton of games including their first round postseason loss to North Farmington. Bloomfield Hills has Ashley Forner, Brianna Young, Grace Main, and Ruby Smith coming back. There is a lot of excitement brewing for Coach Kristen Massey moving forward with the foundation in place. Program strength is also on the rise for Massey with three programs. The sky is the limit for the Blackhawks.
Seaholm: It was a very good season for Coach Chris Manchester and the Maples. Seaholm won the Blue with their regular season finale victory over Harper Woods in Wayne County. They fell to arch rival Groves in the first round. Seaholm won 15 games which was the first time they won double digit games since 2017. They lose Kate Sullivan and Maggie Liebler to graduation. The Maples have Shay Manchester, Taylor Hartwig, Lola Weber, Olivia Davis, Kate Anderson, Clara Guffy, Emma Weber, Mary Gumbis, and Annie Boogeren coming back. Program strength looks to be very solid. A player to watch is Addy Kitzman in the future. Seaholm has to find a way to beat their arch rivals to make the next step. The thing that I would like to see Manchester do is expand his program from two to three programs. If you have three programs instead of two the better the program will be. Seaholm should be very good for years to come.
Harper Woods: The Pioneers had a very good season in their first year in the OAA. Harper Woods won 19 games and had a chance to win the Blue but they fell to Seaholm on the final day of the regular season at their home gym. The non league schedule really hurt the Pioneers with playing really bad teams and blowing them out. Harper Woods had a very challenging postseason ahead of them. They were the second seed despite having home court. The Pioneers beat arch rival Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy in the district semifinals in a tough overtime game but fell to top seeded St. Clair Shores South Lake in the district finals. They lose Destiny Bealey and Charita Childs to graduation. Harper Woods has Kendall Kelsey, Mya Duncan, Lauren Peterson, and Cleaira Peterson coming back for Coach Paul Allen. Program strength is a concern. I think with the experience coming back should help but they’ll need to toughen up their non league schedule heading into next season if they want to take the next step as a program.
Farmington: It was a very interesting season in Farmington. The Falcons had a great year winning 13 games. Farmington earned their first district victory since 2010 by beating Redford Thurston in the first round. The Falcons had things going in the right direction but had a really heartbreaking overtime loss to Livonia Stevenson in the district semifinals. They lose eight seniors including Autumn Bartlett, Brielle Burns, and Madelyn Beckwith to graduation. Farmington has Yasmine Thorpe, Jayla Silver, Brooke Farrington, Annalin Nardelli, and Clarissa Hankins coming back for Coach Laura Guzman. Program strength appears to be solid. The Falcons have to replace a lot of experience but they should be back in the mix again next season.
Avondale: The Yellow Jackets had a very interesting year. They had a ton of ups and downs and injuries hurt them early this season. Avondale beat Pontiac in the first round but fell to Waterford Kettering in the district semifinals. The Yellow Jackets won 10 games with many of those wins coming late in the season. They lose Regian Lawrence and Savannah Schmidt to graduation. The Yellow Jackets have Lily Titus, Madison Menyweathers, Khila Bradley, Amaria Daniels, Takera Williams, and Kaliyah Carroll coming back for Coach Roy Christmon. Avondale needs to address program strength heading into next season. They will need someone to step up with Schmidt and Lawrence graduating.
Ferndale University: The Eagles have had a ton of ups and downs this season but they are always there ready to compete. There were some games that they looked very good and there were some games that they really struggled especially in the Blue. Ferndale University won 10 games this season with most of them coming against non league teams. The Eagles beat arch rival Ferndale in the district semifinals. Ferndale University fell to a very talented Birmingham Detroit Country Day program in the district finals. Coach Desdan Hester has built a very good program at Ferndale University with the limited numbers they have. Program strength is a concern this offseason. The Eagles have adjusted to life in the OAA pretty well. It will be very important for Hester to keep the program heading in the right direction. If they want to take the next step as a program they need to be in contention for a league title and pick up wins in league. They can't rely on non league games to carry the team, they have to win games in league.
Pontiac: It was a very interesting first year for Coach Rawelle Marshall and the Phoenix. Pontiac won five games this season after not having a program in 2020-2021. They should be improved next season. The Phoenix will need to build program strength which will be a challenge for Marshall with Pontiac.
Ferndale: It was a very rough season for the Eagles in what will still be a very tough rebuild. Ferndale beat Oak Park on the last day of the regular season. The victory over the Knights gave his players some confidence heading into the future. Ferndale fell to arch rival Ferndale University in the district semifinals. They don't lose anyone to graduation. The Eagles have Jada Buchanan, Jalia Martin, Jayla Pouncey, Tarriyah Early, Briunna Young, Angel Ajonuma, and Jewell Marsh coming back next season. Ferndale will have a new coach next season as Keith Paris is coming back into the program. The Eagles need to keep building the program to get back to stability. Wins and program development will be key next season.
Oak Park: It was a very rough year for the Knights and Coach Chantelle Corson. They won two games and fell to Detroit Mumford in the first round. Oak Park was very young this season to their defense. They need to find some scoring next season. If they can repeat that same magic that they had under former coach Peggy Evans-Carr then they can turn this thing around and quickly.
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