Written Saturday April 1st at 1:00 PM
Updated Sunday December 10th at 11:35 AM
This my early insight on the OAA/KLAA Basketball Challenge. I like to thank Matt Mowery for his insight on the top five matchups. Games will be played on December 14th, 15th, and 16th with the Girls hosted by OAA schools and the boys by KLAA schools.
Here they are.
Girls
Plymouth Salem at West Bloomfield
This is a rematch of the Division One State Semifinals which West Bloomfield won 78-53. The
Lakers have both Davis sisters along with Kendall Hendrix and Destiny
Washington coming back. The Rocks have Madison Morson among others coming back. Plymouth Salem is off to a strong start but they haven't been very impressive in both games. Both teams
are very experienced. It should be a fun game.
Dearborn Fordson at Rochester
This should be a very interesting matchup especially in the paint
between the Ajami sisters (Sarrinah and Rokaya) against Alice Max. The guards looks to be key in this matchup. The Tractors also
have Celina Bazzi and Milan Berry as well. Dearborn Fordson hasn't scored over 50 points this season but they are coming off a loss to South Lyon East. The Falcons will need Lucy Cook, Kaitlyn Guiola, Kayla Parsons, and Angela Cichowski to step up in this matchup.
Howell at Clarkston
This is shaping up to be a battle of star players in Elliana
Robak and Gabby Piepho. Both played very well in the postseason. Howell has really been battle tested especially with wins over Williamston and Farmington Hills Mercy. Piepho had 34 points with eight three pointers against Farmington Hills Mercy for the Highlanders. Robak had 21 points in the Wolves loss to Chelsea. Clarkston has played the likes of Haslett, Chelsea, and Saginaw Heritage. Role
players like Emily Valenca or Brooklyn Covert for the Wolves or Alexis Le of the Highlanders should be the key in this matchup that is for sure.
Belleville at Oxford
The Tigers are one of the standard bearers of the KLAA.
Belleville is loaded with proven experience and talent. The Wildcats have been
up and coming for a while now but this could be their biggest test against a proven
KLAA powerhouse. Oxford has Peyton Richter, Sophia Rabb, and
Alison Hufstedler coming back. Braydee Elling or Lexi Yankee
should fill that fifth starting spot. They also have Emma Beggs whom could emerge as a potential impact player. It’s a clash of different styles as well
as Belleville likes to go up and down while Oxford likes to slow things down. Whoever style shows itself should win this game.
Novi at Troy
This is a very interesting matchup of two teams that really
struggled last season. The Wildcats won their district when they upset
Plymouth and they are off to a 2-0 start with wins over Walled Lake Northern and Madison Heights Bishop Foley. Both teams are rebuilding. Novi counters with Jordyn
Popyk and Anna Lindsey. The Colts have been very hard to figure out with tough losses to Romeo and Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood. They have Diamond Prince, Regan Zeiter, and
Olivia Sprangler coming back for new Coach Laura Guzman. Prince had 31 points against Sterling Heights Stevenson. Carly Higginbottom looks to be the key in this
matchup and if the Wildcats have someone who can matchup with her. This is a very interesting game, this looks to be a statement game for Guzman and her program.
Brighton at Stoney Creek
The Cougars and Bulldogs are solid programs. Both are also
coming off very disappointing losses in the district semifinals. Brighton has played a tough schedule which included a 40-29 loss to Dexter. The Bulldogs have
Mackenzie Jabari, Sara Auty, Sophia Moir, Megan Keller, Isobel Block, Genevieve
Cox, and Noelle Ebel coming back. Stoney Creek has a new coach in Columbus Williams taking over the program. The Cougars have Sarah LaPrarie, Merrick
Schawalbach, and Izzy Ivezaj coming back. They had to survive 36-33 against Bloomfield Hills which could be a sign of concern. This should be a very
interesting matchup.
Plymouth at Lake Orion
These are two programs that pride themselves on program strength. The Wildcats have a ton of proven depth coming back from a
team that struggled and have wins over Gibraltar Carlson and Berkley by over 20 points. Plymouth has a ton of balance with Mackenzie Dicken, Annie Flavin, Elana DiMarca, Zaynab Saab, Olivia Maciag, Evelyn Stiglish, and Kasey Wilson coming back. The Dragons graduated nine seniors from last season. They have proven players
in Izzy Wotlinski, Charlotte Peplowski, and Ryan Pawlaycyzk along with Neveah Wood and Ellie Britt are also back in the fold. Lake Orion put up 68 points against Pontiac Notre Dame Prep. The coaching matchup between Bob Brydges and Kyle Ballard is very interesting as well. This is should be a very interesting game at Lake Orion.
Wayne Memorial at Troy Athens
This should be a very interesting matchup of two different
styles. The Zebras are an up and down team with proven players in Mariah Cross who had 25 points and four three pointers, Morgan Cross had 14 points, and Collenna Bryant who had a triple double 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in their 78-36 blowout of Kalamazoo Central. The Red
Hawks have Alex Link, Abby Malone, Kacyi Mersier, Ava Laurer, and Katy Keller
coming back. They did not look good in their loss to North Farmington. It depends which style of play shows up in this matchup. Troy
Athens needs to slow the pace in this matchup that is for sure if not then it could be a long night for Coach Stacie Klump and the Red Hawks.
Hartland at Farmington
This is going to be a very difficult matchup for the
Falcons and new Coach Natalie Nowak. Farmington has scored 16 total points this season. The Eagles are one of the best teams in the State and had a big 57-56 win over Lansing Holt then they have Grand Blanc before this game. Farmington will be
tested that is for sure in this matchup.
Northville at Adams
This looks like a very bad matchup on paper but in reality it could be
a sneaky good game. The Mustangs are replacing seven seniors but they have some
experience. They won 48-35 over a good Lakeland program but were shocked 38-36 by Warren Regina. Northville has Birmingham Detroit Country Day prior to that matchup. The Highlanders have most of their team coming back in Samantha
Blaine, Layla Tomezak, and Faith Zolhus. Adams has looked much better despite their only setback to Rochester but they have a win over Waterford Kettering. It should be a very
interesting matchup and it’s a big one for Coach Joe Malburg and his program.
Livonia Stevenson at Royal Oak
This should be a very interesting matchup of two teams with very
different styles. The Ravens have everyone back and runs a defense first
system. Royal Oak is coming off a 45-34 win over Mount Clemens The Spartans have a lot of experience coming back as well and have won two games over Farmington and survived against Ann Arbor Pioneer. This should
be a fun and defensive matchup in Royal Oak.
Dearborn at Avondale
This should be a very interesting matchup between a team that has been there and another team that is currently on the rise. The Pioneers won
13 games last season and have wins over Plymouth Christian and Pinckney. The Yellow Jackets really struggled last season but have retooled recently despite the loss to Groves. Avondale has Madison
Manyweathers, Arielle Dudley, Khalia Bradley, Trentee Carroll, and Morgan McPherson coming back. It’s a big
game for Coach Roy Christmon to see if his program can turn the corner.
Plymouth Canton at Bloomfield Hills
This is probably the most underrated matchup in this whole
challenge. The Chiefs have been solid each year and have wins over Detroit University Prep and Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy both in blowout fashion. The Blackhawks are up and
coming despite the tough three point loss to Stoney Creek. They feature four very talented players in Ruby Smith, Brianna Young,
Michelle Barrett, and Ashley Forner. This should be a fun matchup on Andover
Road between two really competitive teams.
Livonia Franklin at Seaholm
This should be a very interesting game in Birmingham. The
Patriots won seven games last season and are all ready off to a 2-0 start with wins over Walled Lake Western and Walled Lake Central. They have Livonia Clarenceville and could be heading to Birmingham unbeaten. The Maples have battle tested with a win over Farmington and a tough loss to Saline. Seaholm has proven experience in Addy Flynn, Mary Gumbis,
Clara Guffey, Addy Kitzman, Emma Weber, Taylor Harwig, and Mary Wiltgen coming
back. It should be very competitive between two teams that are gaining a ton of confidence.
Livonia Churchill at Groves
These are two teams that are coming off hard fought wins and blowout losses to powerhouse programs. The Chargers really struggled last season but they have been playing better despite the blowout loss to Grand Blanc. Livonia Churchill beat Trenton 43-42 to open the season. The Falcons were blown out by Birmingham Detroit Country Day but beat a very good Avondale team. Groves lost a ton of proven experience from last season but they have Cira Racco, Nevaeh Cochran-McCay,
Cameron Little, and Jacey Roy. This should be a very interesting to see how
this matchup goes.
Westland John Glenn at Pontiac
Both teams really struggled last season with neither team
winning a game. However both teams have won one game this season, the Rockets beat Madison Heights Madison 52-12. They have to play Adrian before they play Pontiac. The Phoenix have been very competitive and are coming off a 41-22 win over Hazel Park. They did fall to Sterling Heights Parkway Christian and have two games before this matchup. Pontiac played eight sophomores and with a full year of
experience should help.
This should be a very interesting game at Sy Green Gym.
Boys
Troy at Novi
This is a very interesting matchup of two teams that have
different styles and are very similar record wise with a very questionable loss. The Colts have Mason Parker, Jon Whiteside, and Chase Kuiper
coming back from a team that is rolling since their opening night overtime loss to Berkley. The Wildcats lost six seniors but have Te’John McGowan, Rodney
Hackman and others that can fill the void. Novi has three solid wins but a questionable loss to Walled Lake Central. This should be a very interesting
matchup especially from a depth perspective.
Clarkston at Brighton
The Bulldogs were a senior heavy team last season. Brighton is off to a 1-1 start with a loss to Redford Thurston but they won against Traverse City Central. They
will have to replace a ton of talent and playing a tradition like program like
Clarkston isn’t always the easiest in the world. The Wolves have proven talent John Kaul, Peyton Fitzsimmons, and Matt Phfliger and they have been playing really well despite the loss to Detroit Old Redford Academy. This could
be another possible game that Dan Leach attends.
Groves at Plymouth Canton
These are two teams that had very disappointing postseason’s
last season. The Chiefs have to replace a ton of talent. The Falcons have proven experience in John
Simpson and Josh Gibson along with Elijah Yelder and Brody Tushman coming back.
Plymouth Canton is not an easy place to play. The Chiefs have lost both their games by a combined seven points including a two point loss to Saline and the other to Hamtramck. It should be a very interesting
matchup for Groves going to Plymouth.
Adams at Northville
The Mustangs had a surprising postseason run which included
upset wins over Novi Detroit Catholic Central and Plymouth Canton last season. Northville
has Carlos Adamson, Justin Huang, and Caleb Williams coming back. They are 1-1 with a triple overtime win over Detroit Jalen Rose Academy and a blowout loss to Ann Arbor Pioneer. The
Highlanders are a very interesting team. They won their first regional crown in
school history and have William Dee, Peter Karadasis, Trenton Lagarde, Gavin
Farris, Luke Marcial, Jake Andrzejak, and Aaron Troxwell. It’s a very interesting matchup in Wayne County to say the least.
Troy Athens at Howell
This should be a very interesting matchup for the Red Hawks going into Livingston County to play a Howell team that has lost to Williamston and Okemos.
Troy Athens is coming off a very tough loss to Redford Thurston has really played some good basketball in that stretch. They have proven talents in Emmanuel Robinson, Hayden Crum, Luke DioGiovanni, and Eli Garvin
coming back. The Highlanders have some experience as well in Jayden Hicks and
Andrew Weber. It should be a very interesting matchup in Livingston County. I
imagine Dan Leach and company will either be at this game or the one in
Hartland.
Farmington at Livonia Franklin
This is going to be a very interesting matchup between two
teams that want to go high scoring and give up a ton of points. The Falcons
have a star in Greg Grays and a nice supporting cast but have struggled under new coach Byron Johnson. The Patriots have a ton
of proven experience coming back and are off to a 3-1 start with their only loss coming against Dearborn Heights Crestwood. This will be a very tough matchup for
Farmington.
Avondale at Dearborn
This is a very tough matchup for the Yellow Jackets and new Coach Jaret Thomas. The
Pioneers wins over Novi Detroit Catholic Central and Grand Haven. They have Tayshawn Crosby, Adam Harajly, Muhammad Mashhour, Ali Makkai,
Mahadi Aljebury, and Hassan Makki coming back. Avondale has Dequarius Warren
and Justin Sykes coming back but this is going to be a very difficult matchup
for sure especially going against a team that won 19 games last season.
Southfield Arts and Tech at Belleville
I know that Coach Terrance Porter loves difficult matchups and
this is no different for the Warriors. The Tigers are a solid and very deep program but they are off to a 1-2 start with losses to Redford Thurston and Ypsilanti Lincoln but beat Romulus. Southfield Arts and Tech
will be very young this season and has a loss to West Bloomfield. It will be very interesting to see how Porter
handles this matchup.
Lake Orion at Plymouth
This should be a very interesting matchup between the
Dragons and the Wildcats. Both coaches know each other very well in Jose
Andrades and Andrew Meeuwsen. Plymouth has three very good players in Idrys
Cotton, Zach Jones, and Ross Craft. Lake Orion has some question marks but they
have Quay Fly, Ethan Sharkey, Ryan Rocheleau, and Gabe Scott coming back. This should be a very interesting matchup
of two teams that are rebuilding a little bit.
Oxford at Plymouth Salem
These are two teams that are off to rough starts to their seasons. The Wildcats have went into Wayne County (Livonia
Clarenceville) before which has helped. They have a ton of proven experience in
Jake Champagne, Luke Stoffan, and the Cady brothers
coming back for new Coach Joe Fedorinchik. The Rocks were a senior heavy team. They won 11 games last season
and off to a 1-3 start. They have Ryan Peters and Eric Milt along with Tommy Veresch, Mitchell Robillard,
Aydin Saiyed, Karmen Cheema, and Landon Locke coming back. It should be a very
interesting matchup of two teams that have different styles and are very scrappy.
Pontiac at Wayne Memorial
This should be a very interesting matchup between the
Phoenix and the Zebras. Pontiac really struggled this season but they have a new coach in Andrew Myers and are off to a very strong start with their only loss coming to Jackson. Wayne Memorial
has almost everyone coming back and is off to a strong start with their blowout win over Romulus. This is going to be a very tough matchup for
the Phoenix.
Royal Oak at Livonia Stevenson
This should be a very interesting matchup of two teams with
very different styles. Livonia Stevenson likes to go up and down as shown in their two wins over Farmington and Dearborn Heights Robachud when they went over 60 points, in their only loss to Saline they were held to 54 points. Royal Oak is a defense first team and they have wins over Seaholm and Bloomfield Hills. The Ravens have Camden Clark and Nick Hoffman coming back. The Spartans have Mark Stein, Dylan McGlinch, Issac Iacoben, Nathan Muthean,
John Ericksen, and John Toth coming back. Whoever style comes into play
should win this game.
Rochester at Dearborn Fordson
The Falcons lost a ton of proven scorers from last season. They have Max Mohl, Logan Pleasant, and Jake Tandy coming back. Rochester has really struggled this season and seeing an undefeated Dearborn Fordson who is off to a 4-0 start. The
Tractors have Mohammad Habhad, Mustafa Aljanaby, Ali Gooba, Yousesef Saleh,
Mahdi Dabje, and Hassan Alzubidi coming back. This should be a very interesting
matchup in Dearborn.
Berkley at Hartland
I know that Coach Joe Sermo is not a big fan of traveling west
well he will have to travel to Livingston County and into Hartland to take on
the Eagles. Hartland really struggled in the regular season but upset Holly in
the district semifinals last season. They are off to a 3-0 start. The Eagles have Brady Quinn coming back while the
Bears have Donovan Powell and Michael Owanua coming back and they are off to a 3-1 start with their only loss being against the Kensington Lakes Activities member in Novi. It should be a very
interesting matchup between two teams with different styles. It is also
possible that Dan Leach could be at this game as well.
West Bloomfield at Westland John Glenn
The Lakers had a very successful turnaround winning 14 games last season for Coach Arnette Jordan but they have had a bit of a rough start with losses to East Lansing and Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit.
They have Donnie Watts, Chris Britton, Corey Pittman,
Caleb Caule, and Dyoni Edwards coming back along with Drew Wilson. Westland John Glenn was very young
last season and it showed winning seven games and they have lost both their games to Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit and Saginaw. They have a new coach in Jerret Smith and they have been much improved. It should
be a very interesting matchup in Westland.
Seaholm at Livonia Churchill
The Maples had a very strong January which included a major upset
win over arch rival Groves in the postseason last season. Seaholm is off to a really slow start with losses to Royal Oak, Walled Lake Western, and East Lansing but beat a good Avondale program. They have Findlay Sparby coming
back but not a lot of experience despite going 11 deep. The Chargers really struggled last
season and have struggled again losing each of them including to Berkley and Troy Athens by double digits this season.
