Girls Basketball Thoughts.

Written Sunday November 14th at 12:00 PM

West Bloomfield: The Lakers were finally tested for three quarters against Birmingham Detroit Country Day but they pulled away late. West Bloomfield is riding with a ton of confidence heading into league play. Summer Davis, Indya Davis, Sheridan Beal, Ava Lord, and Kendall Hendrix have had big games for Coach Darrin McAllister. The Lakers are clicking on all cylinders heading into league play.

Rochester: The Falcons could be in some trouble after falling by 20 to Berkley. Berkley did a very good job containing Alice Max. It is clear that Coach Bill Thurston’s team misses Kylie Robinson. They should have her back soon. The guard situation is very concerning for Thurston. Rochester could be in some trouble heading into league play as mentioned.

Stoney Creek: The Cougars have not looked very impressive especially in the last two games where they won by six over Seaholm and eight over Troy Athens. Merrick Schwalbach, Sarah LaPrarie, and Izzy Ivezaj have played very well for Coach Columbus Williams. It will be very interesting to see how league play goes for Stoney Creek.

Lake Orion: The Dragons have shown a ton of balance in their strong start to the season. Lake Orion has had six different ladies lead them in scoring every night. Coach Bob Brydges has a great thing going right now when it comes to balance scoring. Everything has started to click although the defense has been a bit concerning especially in the last two games where they have allowed 47 ppg in that stretch. Knowing Brydges, they will be fine heading into league play.

Clarkston: The Wolves have heeded Coach Aaron Goodnough’s tweet after losing to Birmingham Detroit Country Day. Clarkston has won two straight since that game and have been scoring and defending at will. It will be very interesting to see how the Wolves do heading into league play with their confidence back.

Oxford: The Wildcats have won three straight heading into 2024. Alison Huffsteddler, Sophia Rabb, and Peyton Richter have been playing really well. They have also gotten contributions from Mia Champagne and Emma Beggs for Coach Rachel Bryer. League play starts up which should tell a lot about Oxford going forward.

Royal Oak: The Ravens have proven they are not ready for the Red yet after their loss to Stoney Creek. They did get wins over Adams and Pontiac. Royal Oak is the early favorite because of their experience. They still have two more Red teams on the schedule (Rochester, Clarkston) to prove they are ready for the Red. Coach Brian Sopota’s team has been handling their business which is a great sign going forward.

Bloomfield Hills: The Blackhawks have really struggled as of late. Bloomfield Hills has lost three straight and is giving up a ton of points defensively. Coach Kristen Massey has to get this figured out and quick in league play. The formula for success is there for Bloomfield Hills, it’s just executing it is the key going forward.

Harper Woods: The Pioneers are 1-3 in their last four games and have really struggled to score points in that span. They did put 68 points on Avondale which should help turn things around for Coach LaTonya Tate. Harper Woods needs to score to be successful. They have a shot to make some noise in league play.

Seaholm: The Maples have been up and down lately. Seaholm like Groves has been a really hard team to figure out. They’ve beaten the teams they were supposed to beat and lost to the teams they were supposed to lose. Coach Chris Manchester’s team needs to find that really big win against a team they were supposed to lose to in league play to make the next step.

Groves: The Falcons have been a really hard team to figure out. They have played a tough schedule and were blown out by West Bloomfield, Hartland, and Birmingham Detroit Country Day. Other than that Coach Allison Hidey’s team has been competitive. It will be very interesting to see how Groves does in the league, they could surprise some people, we’ll see what happens.

North Farmington: The Raiders had been on a roll but they have lost two of three games all be it to Lake Orion and Ferndale. Offense is the name of the game for North Farmington. Coach Michael Allin’s team has scored over 40 points in their wins but under 32 points in their two losses. Anaya Billups and Asisah Jihad has been their top players but they need more from Hannah Hart if the Raiders want to make any noise in league play.

Southfield Arts and Tech: The Warriors have been rolling people until they ran into West Bloomfield where they allowed 97 points. In their two losses to Livonia Stevenson and West Bloomfield, Coach Shaquita Coltrane’s team has allowed 81 ppg. They were better in this area in their wins. Southfield Arts and Tech has the offense but the defense remains the question. If they can address this area then they could make some noise in the league.

Troy: The Colts have been competitive despite the record. Troy has a new big three of Diamond Prince, Olivia Sprangler, and Reagan Zeiter. The injury to Carly Higginbottom does not help things. Coach Laura Guzman needs to find that post that stands out with Higginbottom’s injury. She has something building in Troy but with league play on the horizon, it’s now or never for the Colts.

Berkley: The Bears made a huge statement by winning by 20 over Rochester which features Alice Max. Berkley has balance and multiple players that can beat you at any night. A lot of good things have been going on for Coach Clay Shaver’s program, they host the districts which helps. If the Bears keep working and improving, they might be the most dangerous team not only in the division but sounds of 2021 in the postseason in Detroit could very well be possible.

Adams: The Highlanders have been very competitive for Coach Joe Malburg despite the record. Adams has been a weird team to figure out. Malburg has said that league play could be a turning point for his team and with how it’s set up they could do some damage. They were very competitive against Royal Oak and North Farmington but were blown out by the Red. Adams looks ready to make some noise.

Troy Athens: The Red Hawks won four their last five games which is very pleasing for Coach Stacie Klump. If Troy Athens can keep playing this pace and being very competitive then the Red Hawks could win some games in league play and could be a possible dark horse in the Blue. There is a ton to like about Troy Athens.

Farmington: It has been a really rough 2023 for Coach Natalie Nowak and the Falcons. Farmington is really struggling, no sugar coating that. They have won one game this season over Ferndale University but they were blown out by Oxford. The Falcons need to find something or they could be in trouble in the division.

Avondale: The Yellow Jackets have lost five straight which is not a good sign for Coach Roy Christmon’s team at all. Injuries have hurt Avondale all season but the defense has been the biggest problem all season long. The Yellow Jackets need to improve defensively if they have any chance in the division.

Ferndale: The Eagles have been a surprise to some minds especially with their non conference slate going against Detroit Cass Tech, Dexter, and Macomb Dakota. Coach Keith Paris knows that he’s building for the postseason. Iyana Davis and Aaliyah Frost have been the key pieces for Ferndale. They are the favorite to win the division but it’s all about the postseason for the Eagles.

Ferndale University: The Eagles have been really struggling. They have had five games where they have scored single digit points. Coach Brianna Rowe has been developing this team but the rebuild is taking longer than thought. Ferndale University needs to do something heading into league play.

Oak Park: The Knights have some issues scoring which has shown. They struggle to score at times which is common of a young team. If Coach Tyler Washington can get Oak Park to score more points, then they would be fine going forward especially in league play.

Pontiac: The Phoenix have lost three straight in 2024 which is very concerning for Coach Corray Lett and his team. With league play on the horizon it’s important for Pontiac to get their confidence back. If they don’t then they could be in some trouble.