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Written Thursday May 30th at 9:20 PM

Updated Thursday May 30th at 10:45 PM

Dan Fife is a legend to the State of Michigan and to Clarkston.

Fife entered eternal life on Thursday at the age of 74.

Fife coached the Wolves from 1982 until 2018 according to MIPrepZone's Matt Mowery. He had 703 wins, 29 league titles, 30 district championships, two State championships (2017 and 2018), and 13 regional crowns. He was elected to the Michigan Sports and Michigan Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Fife was 703-170 at Clarkston. The 703 wins is third all time in State history.

"So sadden by the passing of Coach Dan Fife today but honored to celebrate his life and legacy. Coach the lives that you impacted on and off the court are truly remarkable, your commitment to Clarkston Athletics in particular Clarkston Basketball is second to none. It is amazing how much you got out of your players consistency year after year. After coaching 36 seasons, you amazed 703 wins, won 29 league titles, 30 district trophies, 13 regional crowns, and two State Championships. Your election to the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame and the Michigan Basketball Coaches Association Hall Fame spoke volumes of you as coach. You are and still are the best basketball coach in the State of Michigan. From coaching your own kids to remembering every kids name in our McGrath Basketball leagues for years, coaching your former player's kids, your impact will be felt for generations. More importantly your love for Dan, Dugan, Jeremy, and Dane are something to be admired. Family was always #1 for you and you poured your heart and soul into them. We will always continue to Play Hard, Play Smart, and Play Together. We love you and miss you Coach Fife" Clarkston Basketball's Twitter said in a statement.

Fife was the athletic director at Clarkston prior to also coaching basketball. He was in charge of the OAA in baseball. Fife was an all standout athlete as well (played football, basketball, and baseball.) He played college at Michigan. He was drafted in the second round by the Detroit Tigers in the 1971 Major League Baseball Draft.

Fife is a legend, an icon, tremendous athletic director, loved Clarkston, and loved his family. He was also close with former Lake Orion Athletic Director Bill Reiss. Fife has been on my sports talk show Between Taorminas.

"Miss you Coach, I was fortunate to be able to grow up the street from Coach Fife. I played sports at his house with his kids every week. He coached me at our McGrath Basketball League, Gus Macker tournaments, and youth baseball for years while growing up. I golfed at his Spring Lake Golf Course countless times. I played Varsity Basketball for him and was fortunate to be his assistant coach and continue to learn from the greatest. He taught me how to compete at a high level, work harder than your opponent, and win and lose the right way. More importantly he modeled how to be a great husband, father, and friend. He loved Clarkston Athletics more than anyone I ever knew. Coach was like a second father to me and he is still the little voice in my head helping me make the right decisions in life. I wouldn't be coaching today if it wasn't for Coach Fife, love you Coach" said former Clarkston Girls Basketball and current Boys Basketball Coach Tim Waslik on the Clarkston Basketball Twitter page.

Fife will be missed in the entire sports world. I'll have my thoughts and remembering the legacy of Dan Fife on my podcast on Monday. 

Stay tuned to OAA Now on Monday.

Between Taorminas with Dan Fife

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKDiYwCiz_s&list=PL25854C892B69A2AF&index=112

Here is the tweet from Clarkston Basketball

 https://x.com/ClarkstonBball/status/1796333930758480343/photo/1

MIPrepZone Matt Mowery

https://www.theoaklandpress.com/2024/05/30/clarkston-mourns-passing-of-legendary-hoops-coach-dan-fife/

Here is Coach Tim Waslik's statement

https://x.com/ClarkstonBball/status/1796364549085630503/photo/1 

Lacrosse State Quarterfinal Preview.

 Written Thursday May 29th at 9:20 AM

Here are the previews for the Division One State Quarterfinals for Boys and Girls Lacrosse.

Boys

CLARKSTON vs Birmingham Brother Rice @ Seaholm

The Warriors are starting to get back to form which means that’s bad news for the Wolves. Clarkston and Birmingham Brother Rice were dominant in their regionals. The Wolves are a very young team and going against a team like the Warriors will be a very tough ask.

 

LAKE ORION vs Hartland @ Troy

This will be a rematch of a classic 13-12 Eagles win in Hartland over the Dragons. Lake Orion should be motivated for this matchup remembering what happened in that game. Both teams got through their regionals with ease. Expect this game to be very tight and very competitive.

 

PROJECTIONS: I see a Warriors vs Dragons State Semifinal matchup looming. I think overtime will be required again in the Hartland/Lake Orion matchup. Clarkston will have a rough time with Birmingham Brother Rice unless something happens, you never know.

 

Girls 

TROY vs BLOOMFIELD HILLS

The Colts are coming into this regional final with nothing to lose and everything to gain. The Blackhawks have been here before, they know how it works. This should be a very interesting matchup with the winner heading to the Division One State Semifinals.

 

LAKE ORION vs Hartland

The Dragons are coming off a tough 11-9 win over Huron Valley in the Regional Semifinals. They will have a really tall task going up against Hartland. The Eagles have been very good all season long. It will be a tall order for Lake Orion in this matchup.

Seaholm has their new Boys Basketball Coach.

Written Wednesday May 29th at 8:20 AM

The Maples have their new boys basketball coach.

Seaholm according to two very accurate sources has named Spenser Adams their new boys basketball coach. Adams takes over for Mike DeGeeter who was let go in the final week of last season.

Adams is the defensive coordinator for football under Coach Jim DeWald. He has a basketball background and is also a math teacher in the school. Adams has met with his new program according to one of my sources.

DeGeeter went 83-126 in his ten years coaching the program.

Seaholm will be in the White with Oak Park, Farmington, Lake Orion, Troy, Troy Athens, Oxford, and Harper Woods this winter.

Program strength will be the key for Seaholm this season. The Maples went 17-3 with their freshman program and features a very talented player in Everett Wertz.

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

Here is the MHSAA page confirming the hire of Adams

https://www.mhsaa.com/schools/seaholm/boys/varsity/basketball/2024

Softball District Preview.

Written Sunday May 19th at 10:45 AM

Here is the softball district preview. This will be updated once we get the District 56 matchups.

District 4 at Lapeer

Lapeer vs. Holly

OXFORD vs. Davison

THOUGHTS/PROJECTION: This should be a very interesting district. Oxford and Davison will be very interesting as will Lapeer and Holly in the district semifinals. I think the Wildcats experience moves them on over a very good Bronchos team. PICK: OXFORD.

 

District 22 at Farmington Hills Mercy

Livonia Stevenson vs. FARMINGTON

SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH vs. Farmington Hills Mercy

THOUGHTS/PROJECTION: Livonia Stevenson and Farmington Hills Mercy should be a very interesting district finals. The Spartans have a very strong team but so does the Marlins. Home field will be the difference here. PICK: FARMINGTON HILLS MERCY.

 

District 23 at Warren Mott

FERNDALE vs. Warren Mott

OAK PARK vs. Detroit Renaissance

THOUGHTS/PROJECTION: This is not a very strong district when looking at the teams. Warren Mott is a very young team and could get to the district finals. Ferndale is the other team that could make a run. I think Detroit Renaissance wins this district with ease. PICK: DETROIT RENAISSANCE.

 

District 26 at Waterford Kettering

Waterford Mott (8) vs. Waterford Kettering (26)

Waterford Kettering vs. BLOOMFIELD HILLS

WEST BLOOMFIELD vs. CLARKSTON

THOUGHTS/PROJECTION: This is a very interesting district. Clarkston hasn't been themselves while West Bloomfield has had some moments of good and bad. Bloomfield Hills has also been solid as well. I can't go against the Wolves in this district even with the changes they made, nope. PICK: CLARKSTON.

 

District 27 at Seaholm

NORTH FARMINGTON vs. GROVES

SEAHOLM vs. BERKLEY

THOUGHTS/PROJECTION: This is a very interesting district. Berkley looks to be the favorite in this district with a ton of proven experience. Seaholm played in the Red and has home field. The Maples have been looking really strong recently. Groves has been up and down as has North Farmington. Both the Raiders and the Falcons are more than capable of winning this district as Seaholm. I think the Bears find a way and win this very competitive district. PICK: BERKLEY.

 

District 28 at Avondale

TROY vs. TROY ATHENS

AVONDALE vs. ROYAL OAK

THOUGHTS/PROJECTION: This is a very interesting district. Troy and Troy Athens should be a very interesting district semifinals. I really like what Royal Oak has done. They won a district last season beating Berkley and hopes to continue that same magic. It's a tougher district this time around but the Ravens get it done for the second time. PICK: ROYAL OAK.

 

District 29 at Stoney Creek

LAKE ORION vs. ROCHESTER

STONEY CREEK vs. ADAMS

THOUGHTS/PROJECTION: Erin Flynn vs the Dragons looks like it will be inevitable pending if there isn't any upsets. Stoney Creek is ranked, has one of the State's best pitchers, and has home field. Lake Orion has been an honorable mention all season. If the Dragons can get to Flynn and force her pitch count to rise that spells trouble for the Cougars. Give me the team that has been there before. PICK: LAKE ORION.

 

District 56 at Harper Woods

HARPER WOODS vs Detroit East English Village Prep

Detroit Denby vs Detroit Southeastern

THOUGHTS/PREDICTION: This is not a strong district when looking at the teams. Detroit East English Village and Detroit Denby have had above 500 records this season. Harper Woods have played a much tougher schedule. I think the Pioneers win this district because of the schedule. PICK: HARPER WOODS.

Baseball District Preview.

Written Sunday May 19th at 9:05 AM

Here are the baseball districts preview.

District 15 at Novi

Novi (10) vs. Livonia Stevenson (2)

Novi vs. FARMINGTON

Novi Detroit Catholic Central vs. Northville

THOUGHTS/PREDICTION: This is shaping up to be a very tough district. Novi won the Division One State crown last season while Novi Detroit Catholic Central is a proven powerhouse. Northville has been a very strong program as has Livonia Stevenson and Farmington. This district could go either way with the winner likely having a deep postseason run. I don't see anyone knocking the Wildcats in this district. PICK: NOVI.

 

District 21 at Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit

SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH vs. Detroit Renaissance

Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit vs. FERNDALE

THOUGHTS/PREDICTION: This is not a very strong district when looking at the teams. Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit has had a strong season but can't count Ferndale out despite having to face the Cubs in the district semifinals. Southfield Arts and Tech and Detroit Renaissance has been up and down. I think Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit wins this district with ease. PICK: DETROIT UNIVERSITY-DETROIT JESUIT.

 

District 22 at Seaholm

BERKLEY (0) vs. TROY (1)

TROY vs. GROVES

ROYAL OAK vs. SEAHOLM

THOUGHTS/PREDICTION: This is a very interesting and competitive district. There are some really good teams in this district that could make some noise. Berkley, Groves, Troy, and Royal Oak are solid teams but Seaholm has been battle tested. Home field matters in a district like this and having the new facility will help. PICK: SEAHOLM.

 

District 23 at Bloomfield Hills

NORTH FARMINGTON vs. WEST BLOOMFIELD

Birmingham Brother Rice vs. BLOOMFIELD HILLS

THOUGHTS/PREDICTION: This is a very competitive district. Birmingham Brother Rice just won the Catholic League crown and is the top team in the State. West Bloomfield has been state ranked all season and has a really good pitching staff. Bloomfield Hills and North Farmington could play spoilers. If there is a team that is primed to be upset it's the Warriors. I think the Lakers get it done behind their strong pitching staff. PICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD.

 

District 24 at Waterford Kettering

AVONDALE vs. Waterford Kettering

Waterford Mott vs. Orchard Lake St. Marys

THOUGHTS/PREDICTION: This is not a very strong district. I don't see anyone in this district knocking off Orchard Lake St. Marys. PICK: ORCHARD LAKE ST. MARYS.

 

District 27 at Utica Ford II

Utica Ford II (6) vs. TROY ATHENS (1)

Utica Ford II vs. Sterling Heights

Sterling Heights Stevenson vs. Utica

THOUGHTS/PREDICTION: This should be a very competitive district in Utica. Troy Athens has been solid all season. Utica has been very consistent all season. Utica Ford II has home field and has been solid. Utica got the best draw of the teams and the Chieftains should move on. PICK: UTICA.

 

District 30 at Lake Orion

STONEY CREEK (0) vs. ADAMS (10)

ADAMS vs. LAKE ORION

Utica Eisenhower vs. ROCHESTER

THOUGHTS/PREDICTION: Lake Orion has been a very odd team to figure out this season. They lost the season series to Rochester but bounced back against Stoney Creek and Adams. The Dragons also have two wins against Utica Eisenhower. Rochester has proven they can go into Lake Orion and win, they did it twice this season. Utica Eisenhower is also a proven team as well. This is anyone's district to take but when in doubt go with the home team. PICK: LAKE ORION.

 

District 31 at Grand Blanc

Fenton (1) vs. CLARKSTON (2)

CLARKSTON vs. OXFORD

Grand Blanc vs. Holly

THOUGHTS/PREDICTION: This is a very interesting district. Clarkston and Oxford have both been up and down all season. Grand Blanc has been very good all season. Holly and Fenton have been solid teams as well. The Bobcats have home field in their district which helps. Grand Blanc could be in line to make a deep postseason run. PICK: GRAND BLANC.

 

District 56 at Grosse Pointe University Liggett

Grosse Pointe University Liggett (11) vs. St. Clair Shores South Lake (0)

Grosse Pointe University Liggett vs. Harper Woods Chandler Park

Detroit East English Village Prep vs. HARPER WOODS

THOUGHTS/PREDICTION: This is not a very strong district. Grosse Pointe University Liggett is a proven powerhouse. Harper Woods could make some noise and get to the district finals. I don't see the Pioneers getting by Grosse Pointe University Liggett. PICK: GROSSE POINTE UNIVERSITY LIGGETT.