Baseball District Preview.

Written Sunday May 22nd at 11:10 AM

Here is my insight for the baseball districts. Now district 56 needs updating as the matches haven't been posted as of yet. If anyone has the matchups with district 56 please DM me.

Here is the matchups and insight.

District 19 @ Host Sites

SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH @ FERNDALE

 

Detroit Renaissance @ Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit

 

THOUGHTS: This is not a strong district.Detroit University Detroit Jesuit has played a really tough schedule and should get past Detroit Renaissance in the district semifinals and Ferndale in the district finals. This district should be all Cubs.

 

District 20 @ Troy Athens

 

ROYAL OAK vs BERKLEY

ROYAL OAK/BERKLEY vs TROY ATHENS

 

GROVES vs Warren Mott

 

THOUGHTS: This is a very interesting district at Troy Athens. Berkley and Troy Athens would be a very interesting district semifinal pending if the Bears can beat Royal Oak in the first round. Groves is the perfect sleeper in this district. The Falcons got a very good draw playing Warren Mott in the district semifinals. The winner of the top side of the bracket should be in for a battle with Groves. I think the Red Hawks have a great shot to move onto the regionals.

 

District 26 @ Birmingham Brother Rice

 

NORTH FARMINGTON vs Livonia Stevenson

NORTH FARMINGTON/Livonia Stevenson vs Birmingham Brother Rice

 

FARMINGTON vs SEAHOLM

 

THOUGHTS: I may be nuts but this could be a possible upset brewing district at Birmingham Brother Rice. I really like Livonia Stevenson even though they will likely not be the favorite in the district. The Spartans have been playing well lately but North Farmington is more than capable of beating Livonia Stevenson in the first round. The Raiders have been playing really good baseball but they are in a really tough side of the district. Birmingham Brother Rice needs to be on upset alert because the Warriors are going to get a really good team in the district semifinals. I think Seaholm beats Farmington in a hard fought district semifinals to get to the district finals but end of the day I see Livonia Stevenson moving onto the regionals.

 

District 28 @ West Bloomfield

 

AVONDALE vs BLOOMFIELD HILLS

AVONDALE/BLOOMFIELD HILLS vs Orchard Lake St. Marys

 

WEST BLOOMFIELD vs TROY

 

THOUGHTS: West Bloomfield has been rolling and they have home field. The Lakers won the White and should be in prime position for a deep postseason run but then there is Orchard Lake St. Marys. The Eaglets are loaded with future Major League Baseball and College Baseball talent. Orchard Lake St. Marys is nationally and State Ranked. The Eaglets moved up from Division Two to Division One this offseason. Bloomfield Hills is a darkhorse and could give Orchard Lake St. Marys a game in the district semifinals. West Bloomfield should give them a game in the district finals. It should be a close but the Eaglets find a way and gets to the regionals. I know with all the pro and college talent that they have but something tells me that Orchard Lake St. Marys needs to be on upset alert.

 

District 29 @ Rochester

 

ROCHESTER vs Romeo

ROCHESTER/Romeo vs ADAMS

 

STONEY CREEK vs Utica Eisenhower

 

THOUGHTS: This is a very interesting district. Adams is the favorite in this district and is coming off a Red crown. The Highlanders should get to the district finals pending if they can get by likely what should be Rochester in the district semifinals. Stoney Creek should get by Utica Eisenhower in the district semifinals. I see an Adams/Stoney Creek district finals with the Highlanders getting to the regional because of the Picot brothers.

 

District 30 @ Oxford

 

CLARKSTON vs Waterford Kettering

CLARKSTON/Waterford Kettering vs OXFORD

 

LAKE ORION vs Waterford Mott

 

THOUGHTS: This a great draw for Lake Orion. The Dragons have had a very strong season despite not winning the Red. They play Waterford Mott in the district semifinals. Clarkston should likely play Oxford in the district semifinals pending if they get by Waterford Kettering in the first round. Lake Orion is in a really nice spot right now.

 

District 56 @ Harper Woods

 

HARPER WOODS vs Detroit East English Village Prep

HARPER WOODS/Detroit East English Village Prep vs Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy

 

THOUGHTS: This is not a very strong district. Harper Woods does have home field which should give them a chance. Until otherwise give me Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy to move onto the regionals.

Stoney Creek has their new Boys Basketball Coach.

Written Friday May 20th at 10:50 AM

Updated Saturday May 21st at 9:10 AM

Stoney Creek has went outside the box for their new Boys Basketball coach.

The Cougars according to a very accurate source will name long time Warren Mott coach Jeff Olind as their new boys basketball coach. Olind replaces Steve Norgrove after being with the program for 12 years. Norgrove led Stoney Creek to three league titles, two district titles, and two regional appearances.

Olind comes from Warren Mott. He was 108-95 in his ten years with the program. They were 3-16 last season. Olind was 15-5 in 2019 but that wasn't his best year with the Marauders. He went 21-5 with Warren Mott in the 2013-2014 season and was 19-2 in his first season with the program.

He is 11-31 in his last two years with the program.

"I'm stepping down as the Boys Varsity Coach at Warren Mott High School. This was a very difficult decision for me and my family because the past ten years at Mott have been special. I want to thank the supportive administration, fellow coaches, staff, teachers, and students at Mott that have been with me every step of the way. I also want to thank my former players who made this program the success it was. I love you all and we will always be family" Olind tweeted after stepping down at Warren Mott.

Olind has coached well known players like former Michigan State star Kenny Goings whom hit the winning three point shot to beat Duke in the Elite Eight in 2019.

Stoney Creek has a lot of proven experience in Peyton Rummler, Tre Walker, Tommaso Sinacola, Jonah McCay, Emillo Villafuerte, and Jacob Watson coming back. The Cougars also have program strength as well.

Stoney Creek will be in the Blue and play against the likes of Berkley, Rochester, Oxford, Troy Athens, Seaholm, and Royal Oak next season. 

The basketball districts are unknown and will likely be announced in June.

Thoughts

This is a very interesting hire for Stoney Creek. Olind coached at Warren Mott which has been a very successful program. The transition from Macomb County to Oakland County and adjusting to life from the Macomb Area Conference to the OAA will be very interesting for Olind.

For the players it will be very interesting to see how the transition period goes. It will be a new system for them. Stoney Creek has a lot of experience coming back which should help Olind. 

It will be very interesting to see how the players adjust to Olind and how he adjusts to the players.

Only time will tell.

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

Softball District Preview.

Written Wednesday May 18th at 8:00 PM

Here are my thoughts and the matchups for the softball districts.

 

District 55 @ Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy

 

HARPER WOODS vs Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy

Detroit East English Village Prep vs St. Clair Shores South Lake

 

THOUGHTS: This is not a very strong district at Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy. St. Clair Shores South Lake has been a very interesting team. They have struggled in the Macomb Area Conference Silver but the postseason is usually a different season. The Cavaliers should have no issue with Detroit East English Village Prep in the district semifinals. Harper Woods has a shot if things go right but they will have to get by arch rival in Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy. The Eagles are the favorite in this district. I give an edge to Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy to get to the district finals and also win the district final over St. Clair Shores South Lake to get to the regional.

 

District 29 @ Utica Ford II

 

TROY vs TROY ATHENS

TROY/TROY ATHENS vs Sterling Heights Stevenson

 

Utica vs Utica Ford II

 

THOUGHTS: This is a very interesting district at Utica Ford II. The Troy/Troy Athens game should be very interesting in the first round. The winner moves on to take on Sterling Heights Stevenson in the district semifinals. Troy Athens should have just enough to get past the Titans and should play Utica Ford II in the district finals. Utica Ford II has been up and down this season pending if they can beat Utica whom has had a very surprising season. The Red Hawks will have things very tough against the Falcons. I think Troy Athens has just enough to upset Utica Ford II and move onto the regionals.

 

District 28 @ Stoney Creek

 

STONEY CREEK vs ROCHESTER

 

ADAMS vs AVONDALE

 

THOUGHTS: This is a very interesting district at Stoney Creek with the three Rochester schools and Avondale. Adams and Avondale will be very interesting in a battle of division champions. The Yellow Jackets won the Blue while the Highlanders won the White. The Rochester/Stoney Creek game should be very interesting as well but with home field the Cougars should get to the district finals. I think the hosts move on to the regionals because of proven experience.

 

District 27 @ West Bloomfield

 

WEST BLOOMFIELD vs NORTH FARMINGTON

 

BLOOMFIELD HILLS vs Waterford Mott

 

THOUGHTS: This is a very interesting district at West Bloomfield. North Farmington has been very solid. Bloomfield Hills has also been very solid. I think the Raiders get to the district finals with ease over West Bloomfield while the Blackhawks should get past Waterford Mott setting up a great district final. I think North Farmington moves on to the regionals but it will be close.

 

District 25 @ Lake Orion

 

LAKE ORION vs Waterford Kettering

 

OXFORD vs CLARKSTON

 

THOUGHTS: This should be a very interesting district at Lake Orion. Clarkston and Lake Orion are the two favorites in the district with Oxford being the sleeper. The Dragons have the much better draw with Waterford Kettering in the district semifinals. The Wolves and Wildcats play each other in the district semifinals. Oxford has been up and down while Clarkston has been solid. Lake Orion won the Red this season. The Dragons get to the district finals but which blue and gold team do they meet is the question???  I think Lake Orion finds a way to move on to the regional.

 

District 22 @ Royal Oak

 

ROYAL OAK vs OAK PARK

ROYAL OAK/OAK PARK vs BERKLEY

 

FERNDALE vs Detroit Renaissance

 

THOUGHTS: Berkley has had Detroit Renaissance’s number this school year in the district finals whether it was volleyball or the unexpected stunner in girls basketball. Can the Phoenix overcome their Bears problem??? Detroit Renaissance has to beat Ferndale while Berkley has to beat likely will be Royal Oak in the district semifinals before we talk possible rematch between the schools in softball. If this matchup were to occur I see three for three with the Bears over the Phoenix.

 

District 21 @ Farmington Hills Mercy

 

SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH vs GROVES

SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH/GROVES vs FARMINGTON

 

SEAHOLM vs Farmington Hills Mercy

 

THOUGHTS: This is a very interesting district. Farmington Hills Mercy is the favorite but needs to be on upset alert. Seaholm has a shot to pull of the upset in the district semifinals. Groves should get by Southfield Arts and Tech and meet Farmington in the district semifinals. I think the Falcons have a good chance to win this district. I see Farmington moving on in a shocker likely over the Marlins who is state ranked in the district finals.

Boys Golf Regional Preview.

Written Wednesday May 18th at 10:30 AM 

Here is my projections which teams moves on to the State Finals for Boys Golf.

Underlined, Projected Regional Champ.

Regional 2 at Currie Municipal Golf Course- Hosted by Midland

 

Midland

Midland Dow

CLARKSTON

OXFORD

Lapeer

Davison

Grand Blanc

Fenton

East Lansing

Alpena

Bay City Central

Flushing

Grand Ledge

Hartland

Lansing Holt

Lansing Sexton

Okemos

Saginaw Heritage

Traverse City Central

Traverse City West

 

PROJECTED THREE TEAMS: Traverse City Central, Traverse City West, and Hartland.

 

Regional 3 at Salem Hills Golf Course- Hosted by Northville

 

Northville

FARMINGTON

NORTH FARMINGTON

WEST BLOOMFIELD

Brighton

Canton

Detroit Catholic Central

Howell

Milford

Novi

Plymouth

Salem

South Lyon

Walled Lake Central

Walled Lake Northern

Walled Lake Western

Lakeland

 

PROJECTED THREE TEAMS: Brighton, Northville, and Novi.

 

Regional 4 at Twin Lakes Golf Course- Hosted by Royal Oak

 

ROYAL OAK

BERKLEY

GROVES

SEAHOLM

BLOOMFIELD HILLS

FERNDALE

LAKE ORION

ROCHESTER

ADAMS

STONEY CREEK

TROY

TROY ATHENS

SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH

Detroit Cass Tech

Detroit Renaissance

Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit

Livonia Churchill

Livonia Franklin

Livonia Stevenson

Warren Mott

 

PROJECTED THREE TEAMS: Lake Orion, Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit, and Troy Athens

 

Regional 11 at Huron Meadows Country Club- Hosted by Birmingham Brother Rice

 

AVONDALE

HARPER WOODS

Armada

Birmingham Brother Rice

Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood

Birmingham Detroit Country Day

Croswell-Lexington

Eastpointe

Goodrich

Holly

Madison Heights Lamphere

Orchard Lake St. Marys

Marysville

North Branch

Brandon

Pontiac Notre Dame Prep

St. Clair

St. Clair Shores Lake Shore

Yale

Redford Union

PROJECTED THREE TEAMS: Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood, Birmingham Brother Rice, and Orchard Lake St. Marys.