Written Monday December 25th at 7:00 PM
Updated Saturday December 30th at 10:30 PM
This column will recap the classic games heading into the holidays. If there are any other games that are added between December 27th until January 2nd please let me know. Coaches if you want to have comments on these games feel free to ask on X (Twitter.)
This blog will be frequently updated and will also be recapped on OAA Now.
All times are Approx Times, most of them will start later than scheduled.
Girls
Michigan Hardwood Classic @ Romulus
December 28th
FERNDALE 47, Ann Arbor Pioneer 39.
The Eagles had a really strong second half outscoring the Pioneers 33-15 and coming back from 11 points down in the fourth quarter in rout to a huge 47-39 win in the Hardwood Classic. Ferndale had a ton of balance from Demi Bolton, Aaliyah Frost, and Iyana Davis who combined for 35 of the Eagles 47 points. Coach Keith Paris has another tough one at Wayne Memorial against a good Tecumseh program looming.
Birmingham Detroit Country Day 47, CLARKSTON 23.
The rematch was never in doubt in the Hardwood Classic. The Wolves struggled to score in their 47-23 stunning loss to Birmingham Detroit Country Day. The third quarter was the difference as Clarkston was outscored 13-2 in that quarter. The Yellow Jackets kept Brooklyn Covert and Elliana Robak in check and limited the Wolves to 12 second half points. It will be very interesting to see what Coach Aaron Goodnough does heading into 2024.
WEST BLOOMFIELD 76, Chicago Wendell Phillips Academy, Illinois 35.
The Lakers showed their dominance against another out of state team in Chicago Wendell Phillips Academy in Illinois. The Davis twins, Sheridan Beal, Kendall Hendrix, Destiny Washington showed out in this blowout in Romulus for Coach Darryle McAllister. Indya Davis had 21 points, Hendrix had 14 points and Beal had 13 points. West Bloomfield has Utica Ford II in Romulus on Saturday looming.
December 30th
WEST BLOOMFIELD 73, Utica Ford II 20.
The Lakers had no issue with Utica Ford II winning 73-20 over the Falcons in Romulus. West Bloomfield was in complete control throughout and had their third running clock in four games. Summer Davis had 25 points, Indya Davis had 15 points, and Sheridan Beal had 10 points for Coach Dareylle McAllister's team. The Lakers are riding into 2024 with a ton of confidence.
Warrior Classic at Westfield Prep
January 2nd
Lansing Waverly 54, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 51.
The Blackhawks lost a tough one to Lansing Waverly 54-51 on Tuesday afternoon. It was a clash of different styles as Bloomfield Hills out rebounded Lansing Waverly 57-31 in the contest. Ruby Smith had 26 points and 20 rebounds while Brianna Young had 14 points and 14 rebounds, and Ashley Forner had seven points for Bloomfield Hills. Coach Kristen Massey's team will be fine going forward.
Plymouth Canton 56, HARPER WOODS 28.
The Pioneers had two runs go against them in their 56-28 loss on Tuesday afternoon. The Chiefs went on a 21-0 run in the second quarter and a 17-3 run between the third and fourth quarters for the win. Justice Tramble score 21 points and 22 rebounds for Plymouth Canton. Kendall Kelsey led Harper Woods with 12 points. It will be very interesting to see how Coach LaTonya Tate responds going forward.
Boys
Motor City Roundball at Ferndale
December 27th
ADAMS 53, Grosse Pointe South 45.
The Highlanders earned a hard fought 53-45 win over Grosse Pointe South. Trenton LaGarge has been a scoring machine for Adams. He had 19 points in the game. Peter Kardasis had 16 points including a buzzer beating three pointer to end the half. Coach Isiah Novak has this program heading in the right direction heading to 2024.
Flint Hamady 48, OAK PARK 45.
The Knights have now lost three straight games. They fell on a buzzer beater 48-45 on Wednesday afternoon. Oak Park was called for an illegal screen with six seconds left which set up the winning three point shot from Jakobe Boose for Flint Hamady. The Knights need to figure some things out and quick heading into 2024 or they could be in some trouble.
Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit 70, FERNDALE 48.
The Eagles have been reeling heading into 2024 after a rough second half in a stunning 70-48 loss to Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit. Ferndale is a very young team and playing a tough schedule has it's difficult challenges. Coach Juan Rickman needs to get this young team on track especially when the postseason comes. It is clear that the Eagles are reeling as mentioned.
December 28th
FARMINGTON 69, AVONDALE 46.
The Falcons earned their second win of the season by beating the Yellow Jackets 69-46. Greg Grays had a strong outing with 24 points for Farmington who got their second win of the season for Coach Byron Johnson. Avondale has been up and down, they will be fine. Both teams have games in 2023 with the Yellow Jackets playing Walled Lake Northern on Saturday and the Falcons playing Redford Union at Farmington tomorrow night.
Dexter 67, SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH 53 OT.
The Warriors and Dreadnoughts needed overtime to settle things but Dexter had a little bit more in the tank earning a 67-53 overtime win over Southfield Arts and Tech. The Warriors are making some progress heading into 2024 which should please Coach Terrance Porter.
WEST BLOOMFIELD 59, Grand Rapids South Christian 56.
The Lakers had to survive on Thursday evening against the Sailors winning 59-56. Bloomfield Hills transfer Drew Wilson led West Bloomfield with 30 points while Keith Gilmore had 12 points. It's a huge win for Coach Arnette Jordan over a really good program that has a ton of proven experience. Grand Rapids South Christian has not fared well against the OAA in football and in boys basketball going back to last season, the Sailors are 0-3 against the league. The Lakers have Detroit Renaissance looming next.
December 30th
Pontiac Notre Dame Prep 75, PONTIAC 68.
The Phoenix trailed by double figures early in their game with Pontiac Notre Dame Prep but they came back to cut it to six. They fell 75-68 to the Fighting Irish. Wade Robinson had 34 points for Pontiac Notre Dame Prep but Pontiac fought and made it a game against a good opponent. Coach Andrew Myers will be fine despite being 1-5 in their last six games heading into 2024.
Adrian 82, HARPER WOODS 62.
It was going to be a very interesting matchup between the Pioneers Julian Young and the Maples Stevie Elam. Elam earned his 1,000 career point and had 38 points for Adrian in a 82-62 win over Harper Woods. Young had 23 points for Coach TaJuan Porter's team. The Pioneers will be a very interesting team to watch in 2024.
WEST BLOOMFIELD 83, Detroit Renaissance 78.
The Lakers had an up and down struggle with Detroit Renaissance on Saturday afternoon. West Bloomfield needed everything and then some to win 83-78 over the Phoenix. Keith Gilmore had 20 points while Drew Wilson had 18 points, Corey Pittman had 13 points, and Brendin Jones had 12 points to lead Coach Arnette Jordan's team. Jordan Sigmon had 40 points for Detroit Renaissance. The defense will need to be addressed for Coach Jordan's team heading into 2024.
Detroit Cass Tech 69, GROVES 50.
The Falcons have been reeling losing five of their last six games falling to Detroit Cass Tech 69-50 on Saturday night. Groves needs to do something to snap this losing skid heading into 2024 and playing in the Red is not an easy task for Coach Marc West and company.
North Farmington Holiday Extravaganza at North Farmington
December 28th
TROY 69, Detroit Edison 68.
The Colts have relied on their big three all season and they have delivered again. Mason Parker hit the winning three pointer at the buzzer to give Troy a 69-68 win over Detroit Edison. Parker, Chase Kuiper and Jon Whiteside combined for 57 of the Colts 69 points (Kuiper had 26 points and 11 rebounds while Parker and Whiteside had 16 points each.) Coach Gary Fralick and his team should have a ton of confidence heading into 2024.
Here is the buzzer beater from Troy Athletics on X
https://twitter.com/Troy__Athletics/status/1740474510456037630
December 30th
AVONDALE 62, Walled Lake Northern 35.
The Yellow Jackets bounced back after a tough loss to Farmington with a 62-35 win over Walled Lake Northern at North Farmington. Jordan Bush had a really good game for Avondale who needed a win to keep some momentum heading into 2024.
NORTH FARMINGTON 65, Flat Rock 43.
The Raiders had a really slow start but picked it up during the second half to pull away winning 65-43 on Saturday night. Tyler Spratt had a big night for North Farmington. The Raiders and Coach Todd Negoshian head into 2024 with a ton of confidence and also a ton to work on as well.
St. Clair Community Classic Showcase at Port Huron
December 27th
Hamtramck 67, FERNDALE UNIVERSITY 31.
It was a really rough day for Coach Josh Nicks and the Eagles against Hamtramck on Wednesday afternoon. The Cosmos were too much for Ferndale University. It will be very interesting to see how Nicks and the Eagles respond heading into 2024.
December 29th
TROY ATHENS 42, St. Clair Shores Lakeview 41.
This was a very interesting game that went back and fourth but the Red Hawks got a huge win over a very good Huskies team winning 42-41 and ending 2023 on a two game winning streak. This win should give Coach Dave Scott some momentum heading into 2024.
New Baltimore Anchor Bay Tournament @ New Baltimore Anchor Bay
December 27th
Grosse Pointe North 60, ROCHESTER 54.
The Falcons went back in fourth with the Norsemen at New Baltimore on Wednesday but it wasn't meant to be for Rochester as they fell to Grosse Pointe North 60-54. Max Mohl and Jake Tandy combined for 32 points in the game. The Falcons will play Lakeland in the consolation game.
December 28th
ROCHESTER 51, Lakeland 41.
The Falcons bounced back after a tough loss to Grosse Pointe North with a big win over Lakeland taking third place in the New Baltimore Anchor Bay classic. Max Mohl has really stepped up for Coach Nick Evola and Rochester. They have had some timely moments from Jake Tandy as well. The Falcons will look to continue the momentum heading into 2024..
Detroit Public School League Holiday Classic at Detroit Cass Tech
December 27th
BLOOMFIELD HILLS 57, Detroit Central 46.
The Blackhawks earned their first win of the season with a 57-46 win over the Trailblazers at Detroit Cass Tech. Phillip Muhammad and Dioyne Edwards combined for 27 points. Bloomfield Hills had a really strong second half outscoring Detroit Central 31-22 in the game. This win should help Coach Brian Canfield and his program get some confidence heading into 2024.
Other Games (All games at OAA sites)
December 28th
STONEY CREEK 68, Sterling Heights 52.
The Cougars need a win in the worst way possible and they got it in a big way. Stoney Creek a lot like Bloomfield Hills was dominant through out. They got in control and never looked back leading by 25 points at one point. Tyree Smith had 24 points while Tre Walker had 13 points for the Cougars. Hopefully this is a turning point for Coach Jeff Olind and his program heading into 2024.
December 29th
Novi 55, ROYAL OAK 54 OT.
This was a back and fourth game that went overtime between the Ravens and the Wildcats. Royal Oak and Novi went to the wire but it was the Wildcats that made one more point and won 55-54 on Friday night. Coach Aaron Smith's team is fine heading into 2024.
FARMINGTON 67, Redford Union 63.
The Falcons earned a hard fought 67-63 win over the Panthers on Friday afternoon. Greg Grays had another outstanding performance. Farmington has won two straight games which is huge for Coach Byron Johnson heading into 2024.
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