Boys Basketball Shortcomings 2024.

Written Saturday March 16th at 3:30 PM

Here are the shortcomings for each OAA school heading into next season. This will be updated often.

North Farmington: The Raiders made a return to the Division One State finals this season winning 24 games but lost a tough one to Orchard Lake St. Marys 63-52 in the Division One State Finals. North Farmington loses Tyler Spratt, Landon Williams, Vinnie Lee, and Dylan Smith to graduation. The Raiders have Avi Melster, Will MacShara, Rob Smith, and DJ Morgan coming back for Coach Todd Negoshian. Program strength is also strong for North Farmington. The Raiders will be back in the conversation next season.

Ferndale: The Eagles had an up and down season. They won 14 games but fell 66-44 to Warren Lincoln in the district finals. They lose Mishawn Hereford, Kaden Hudson, Markiese Young, and Trenton Ruth to graduation. Ferndale has a ton of proven experience in Eden Vinyard, Toriano Adams, Cameron Fraser, Drakkar Washington, Tyler Ruth, Juilan Cardenas, and Dexter Wilson coming back for Coach Juan Rickman. Program strength is a concern for Rickman. Ferndale will look to be back with a vengeance.

West Bloomfield: The Lakers won a share of the Red and won 17 games this season. They beat Walled Lake Central 55-46 in the district semifinals but had a really rough outing with Orchard Lake St. Marys in the district finals falling 68-46. West Bloomfield loses Chris Agbugui, Donnie Watts, Caleb Caudle, and Keith Gilmore to graduation. They have De'Avion Thomas, Corey Pittman, Brendin Jones, Artis Hicks, Terrance Lowe, Ryan Hood, David Lewis, Jamad Williams, Drew Wilson, and Chris Britton coming back for Coach Arnette Jordan. Program strength looks solid for Jordan heading into next season. West Bloomfield will be back and a team to watch this offseason.

Adams: The Highlanders had a strong year winning 15 games in the always tough and competitive Red this season. They had a very disappointing 66-61 loss to Utica in the district finals on their home floor. Coach Isiah Novak loses William Gee and Peter Kardasis to graduation. Adams has Colin Langdon, Clark Langdon, Trenton LaGarge, Luke Marcial, and Cannon Flynn coming back for Novak. Program strength looks solid for Adams. The Highlanders should be in the mix next season and a program to watch this offseason.

Clarkston: The Wolves had an up and down year which they won 14 games. Clarkston won another district crown with their 65-56 win over Waterford Mott in the district finals. They fell 47-32 to Grand Blanc in the regional semifinals which was their lowest scoring output of the season. The Wolves lose four seniors including Peyton Fitzsimmons and Matthew Pflieger to graduation. They have Hayden Flavin, Cole Charter, Jon Kaul, and Quinn Rosenburg coming back for Coach Tim Waslik. Clarkston added Ace Walters who transferred from Birmingham Brother Rice this offseason. Program strength looks to be solid for the Wolves next season. Clarkston will be a very interesting team to watch in the offseason.

Oak Park: The Knights have had an injury riddled season which saw them win five games this season. They had a 70-58 loss to Groves in the district semifinals. Oak Park has the majority of their team including Jason Harris coming back for Coach Durrand Sheppard. They lost Geon Hutchins who transferred to Warren Lincoln. Program strength is a bit concerning and something to watch. The Knights should be much improved but they need to be healthy heading into next season.

Groves: The Falcons had a much better year after a stunning loss to Seaholm in the first round last season. Groves won 13 games, a district crown, and made it to the regional semifinals where they fell 72-60 to North Farmington in a game that was closer than the score indicated. The Falcons have their three headed monster of Jon Simpson, Josh Gibson, and Paul Hubbard along with Landon McKinney and David Jones coming back for Coach Marc West. Program strength looks solid. Groves will be a very interesting team to watch this offseason and also next season in the Red.

Troy: The Colts had an opening season double overtime loss to Berkley but they won 22 straight games this season before falling 59-44 to Birmingham Brother Rice in district finals. Troy loses Vikrant Vedupudi, Jon Whiteside, Bryce Bauman, and Chase Kupier to graduation. They have Cameron Adams, Patrick Johnson, Andrew Lake, Leo Penoza, Cung Lian, Colin Bastein, Jack Sobotka, and Mason Parker coming back for Coach Gary Fralick. Program strength is not strong for Fralick heading into next season. It will be very interesting to see how the Colts do this offseason.

Harper Woods: The Pioneers had a really disappointing season winning eight games. They had a shocking 71-65 loss to Eastpointe in the district semifinals. Harper Woods program strength is a big concern for Coach TaJuan Porter heading into the offseason. They lose several proven players including Julian Young and Isiah Lewis to graduation. They have Miron Baylor and Jaden McDonald coming back for Porter. There are warning signs for Harper Woods to watch this offseason.

Troy Athens: The Red Hawks really overachieved winning 14 games. They fell three times to arch rival Troy including a 63-58 home loss in the district semifinals. Troy Athens loses a ton of proven experience including Griffin LaBay, Emmanuel Robinson, Joel Botardo, Dylan Coussi, Hayden Crum, Brayden Downey, and Luke DiGiovanni to graduation. They have Nathan Piggott, Liam Dempsey, Nate Appledorn, Brendan Tucker, and Alex Beaubien coming back. Coach Dave Scott stepped down coaching the program in May and assistant Mitchell Vercellino has taken over the program. Program strength will be very interesting for Vercellino. It will be very interesting to see where the Red Hawks do this offseason.

Seaholm: The Maples are in a crossroads this offseason. They won six games and are coming off a tough 43-39 loss to Bloomfield Hills in the first round. Seaholm lost their head coach at the last week of the season along with a ton of veteran players which included Findlay Sparby, Abe Miller, and Jacob Droulland to graduation. Program strength looks to be solid for next season especially their freshmen class who went 17-3 this season and includes a very talented player in Everett Wertz. The Maples have a new coach in Spenser Adams taking over the program. The transition will be key to watch this offseason which direction they go.

Lake Orion: The Dragons really overachieved winning 16 games with a very young team this season. Lake Orion fell 53-32 to Waterford Mott in the district semifinals after putting 77 points on Waterford Kettering in a 77-33 blowout in the first round. Coach Jose Andrades loses four seniors in Quay Fly, Ethan Sharkey, Sam Blakeley, and Hayden Armstrong to graduation. They have Zach Parks, Ryan Rocheleau, Gabe Scott, Nick Galben, and MJ Long coming back. The Dragons have a ton of proven experience and program strength, this will be a program to watch this offseason and also next season.

Farmington: The Falcons had a turmoil beginning to the season when Coach Byron Johnson took over the program. Farmington bounced back to win 12 games but a season ending injury to Greg Grays really derailed their season which included a 79-67 loss to Redford Thurston in the first round. The Falcons have a ton of proven proven players including Darnell Cochrane and Randy Rice coming back for Johnson but Grays transferred to Birmingham Brother Rice this offseason. Program strength looks to be solid especially the junior varsity whom was solid this season. There's a ton to like with Farmington this offseason.

Bloomfield Hills: The Blackhawks had a very young team but really played their best basketball down the stretch which included three wins over Seaholm including a 43-39 win in the first round. Bloomfield Hills fell 66-38 to Birmingham Brother Rice in the district semifinals. Coach Brian Canfield has a really bright future with D’Ron Mason, Philip Muhammad, and Carter Canfield coming back. Program strength looks a bit iffy for the Blackhawks. The interior will be a question mark for Canfield heading into the offseason. Bloomfield Hills looks prime for a bounce back year next season.

Southfield Arts and Tech: It has been a very tough season for Coach Terrance Porter and the Warriors. They went 3-20 which included a 53-35 loss to Livonia Franklin in the first round this season. Southfield Arts and Tech went to the White which they really struggled this season. The Warriors lose Davier Burt, Bryce Hewins, Jordan Marshall, and Cam Caggins to graduation. They have Cameron Dickerson and Trent Green coming back for Porter. Southfield Arts and Tech has should be better but there are questions regarding program strength. It’s possible they could be in the Blue next season. The Warriors should be a team to watch this offseason.

Stoney Creek: The Cougars are in a very interesting spot heading into the offseason. Stoney Creek struggled winning six games and falling 65-56 to Utica Eisenhower in the first round. They lose Tre Walker, Evan Woodward, Dominic Faycurry, and Tommaso Sinacola to graduation. The Cougars have Gideon Beers, Chritos Marselis, Koby Rauner, Joseph Zoorob, Spencer Beckman, and Tyree Smith coming back for Coach Jeff Olind. Program strength is a mystery for Olind and his program. Stoney Creek has struggled in the two years under Olind. The offseason will be very interesting to watch for the Cougars.

Avondale: The Yellow Jackets had a resurgence under returning Coach Jaret Thomas. They won 16 games, the Blue, and took Clarkston to the brink falling 37-35 in the district semifinals. Avondale loses two seniors in Alfonzo Merritt and Elijah Corbin to graduation but they have several talented players including Jordan Bush, Jordan Clayton, DJ Moody, and Justin Greer-Sykes coming back next season. They also added Jakobe Louris whom transferred from Lake Orion this offseason. The Yellow Jackets should be in the White next season and program strength looks to be strong for Thomas. Avondale is clearly a program on the rise.

Oxford: The Wildcats were very young this season under Coach Joe Fedorichik who was in his first season coaching varsity. They won 14 games and had a very tough loss to Avondale for the Blue crown and a 64-46 loss to Grand Blanc in the district semifinals. Oxford loses two seniors in Gavin Nicks and Jay Cady to graduation. They have a ton of proven experience in Jake Champagne, Drew Cady, Robert George, Nolan Mauser, Colatrane Hudson, Brennan Elling, Parker Bennion, Cayden Smith, Jonah Lundeberg, and Luke Stoffan coming back for Fedorichik. Program strength looks to be solid. The division will be something to watch for the Wildcats, there is a chance they could go to the White. It will be very interesting to see how the offseason goes for Oxford.

Rochester: The Falcons had a rough season but played much better in February winning four straight to close the season. Rochester got a monster win over Romeo in the first round winning 51-49 on two Max Muhl free throws. The Falcons fell 45-30 to Adams in the district semifinals. Coach Nick Evola loses two seniors in Evan Crowe and Luke Lionas to graduation. They have Muhl, Noah Kim, Luke Lower, Anthony Chirco, Kellen Muhl, and Jake Tandy coming back for Evola. Program strength looks solid for Rochester. The Falcons will be a team to watch this offseason.

Berkley: The Bears had a very good season despite falling 52-39 to Groves in the district finals. Berkley loses a ton of talent after winning 14 games. They lose Donovan Powell, Owen Stone, Micah Green, Andrew Cook, Matt Bell, Ari Geller, Alex Beard, Joe Voss, and Michael Onuhoa to graduation. The Bears have Avery Johnson, Evan Young, Jacob Friedman, Evan Haenick, Sam Niyo, and Kenny Swain coming back for Coach Joe Sermo. Berkley had some big wins which included Seaholm and Troy. Program strength looks to be solid for Sermo. Joe's son Sam Sermo will be a player to keep an eye on. The Bears should be a team to watch next season.

Pontiac: The Phoenix had a successful turnaround under first year Coach Andrew Myers winning three games to winning 13 games. Pontiac fell 58-48 to Clarkston in the first round. Myers has a young nucleus which includes Jeremiah Claudio coming back next season. Program strength looks to be solid for Pontiac as well. The Phoenix could be a very interesting team to watch next season.

Royal Oak: The Ravens had a very strong start to the season but had a very disappointing finish which included a 1-8 record since January 29. They fell 51-26 to Oak Park in the first round. Royal Oak loses Camden Clark and Eddie Skaleski to graduation. They have CJ Hariston, Nick Hoffman, Yurem Patino, and Ethan Cousins coming back for Coach Aaron Smith. Program strength is a huge concern for Smith. The Ravens will be a very interesting team to watch this offseason.

Ferndale University: The Eagles had a transition year for Coach Josh Nicks but they had several positives which included a 58-53 win over Detroit Osborn but fell 76-44 to Ferndale in the district semifinals. They lose Lavarr Croxton, Derrick Murray, Pierce Sanders, and DeMarco Walker to graduation. Ferndale University has Kevin Williams-Jackson, Amere Harris, Tyler Stokes, DeQuan Small, Taiwan Johnson, Antonio Jones, Dontrelle Milton, Devin Moore, and Kody Pippen coming back for Nicks. The Eagles should be much improved next season with experience. Program strength will be something to watch for Nicks this offseason.