Written Friday May 31st at 12:25 PM
Here are the matchups and early thoughts about the OAA/KLAA Challenge for Girls and Boys Basketball.
Games are around December 10, 12, 13, and 14. Boys are at OAA sites, Girls are at KLAA sites.
BERKLEY vs Livonia Franklin
BOYS: This should be a very interesting matchup of two teams that should be in the middle of their league races. The Patriots are loaded with proven depth with Kam Webster, Owen Pittenger, Mendale Broaden, Cameron Dale, and Mark Kiss among others coming back for Coach TJ Hurley. The Bears have their fair share of proven experience led by Avery Freeman and Jacob Freeman for Coach Joe Sermo. Also being at Berkley should be an advantage for the Bears. This should be very interesting that is for sure.
GIRLS: This is a very interesting matchup of two teams that are heading in different directions. The Bears are on the upward trajectory after a very successful first year for Coach Clay Shaver. Berkley has a ton of proven talent in Avery Wintergarden, Maddie Boswall, Kaitlyn Stills, Hailey Kirkwood, and Nadia Watt coming back among others. The Patriots had a really rough year, winning five games. They were very young with the majority of their team being freshmen and sophomores for Coach Collen Flaherty. This looks like it's a mismatch on paper but you never know with Livonia Franklin.
ROYAL OAK vs Brighton
BOYS: The Bulldogs have a solid program which could prove problems for the Ravens. Brighton has eight guys including the 6.8 Vincent Salmon coming back for Coach Mike Greist. Royal Oak will need to be hitting threes and then some to combat the size of the Bulldogs. They have Nick Hoffman, CJ Hariston, and Yurmen Patino coming back for Coach Aaron Smith. This is going to be a very tough matchup for Smith and the Ravens especially with how Salmon has been playing this offseason.
GIRLS: This should be a very interesting matchup of two teams that are reloading a little bit. The Ravens are coming off their first district title last season. They have Lucy Fretag, Lydia Dickens, Hannah Saunders, Jordan Hills, Vivan Lawrence, and Maddie Lawrence coming back for Coach Brian Sopota. The Bulldogs were solid last season. They have Emma Adamcyzk, Grace Houck, Sophia Heady, Ellie Pierson, Maya Bjedov, and Mya Nemecek coming back for Coach Bob Wellman. This should be a very interesting coaching and experience matchup of two evenly matched teams.
SEAHOLM vs Dearborn
BOYS: These are two teams that are going through complete revamping. The Maples are changing their identity with a new coach in Spenser Adams taking over the program. Seaholm's program strength was really good last season and they feature Everett Wertz coming back. The Pioneers had an unbeaten regular season and had a very experienced team but they were shocked 59-58 by River Rouge in the district finals. The Panthers would then went onto the State Quarterfinals after beating Dearborn. There is a ton to prove for Coach Abe Mashhour and his program which should be a very young group. This should be a very interesting matchup.
GIRLS: This could be a very interesting matchup between two teams that have some experience. The Maples have everyone back for Coach Chris Manchester and could be a serious contender this season. The Pioneers were not a deep team last season despite winning 12 games for Coach Mahdi Hamade. Seaholm will have their hands full with the travel but they did go to Detroit last season so it shouldn't be too much of an issue with an experienced team.
WEST BLOOMFIELD vs Belleville
BOYS: This should be a very interesting matchup between the Tigers and the Lakers. Belleville has the majority of their team led by Shemar Woodson and Jalen Jennings coming back for Coach Adam Trumpour. West Bloomfield has a ton of proven experience led by Drew Wilson, Corey Pittman, and Chris Britton among others for Coach Arnette Jordan. This should be a fun battle between two teams that like to go up and down.
GIRLS: This matchup could be the most interesting of the challenge. Both teams were in the Final Four last season. The Tigers are well coached have a very talented player in Sydney Savoury along with a very strong supporting cast including Se'Crette Carter and Iyana Stephens for Coach Jason Wilkins. The Lakers lost a ton of experience but have Sheridan Beal, Ava Lord, London Hall, and the Gamble-Jones twins coming back for Coach Darrin McAllister. This should be a very interesting matchup.
TROY ATHENS vs Novi
BOYS: This should be a very interesting matchup of two teams that are going to be very young. The Wildcats have more experience than the Red Hawks. Troy Athens does not have a new coach yet. Novi has six returning players along with a transfer from Plymouth Salem in Eric Milt for Coach Chris Housey. The Red Hawks are a scrappy group with Nathan Piggott coming back. This will be very competitive that is for sure.
GIRLS: This is going to be a very tall order for the Red Hawks heading to Novi to play a Wildcats team that had their moments last season. Novi lost some key players to graduation but they had a strong junior class and a good junior varsity program coming up for Coach Kelsey Partyka. Troy Athens has Alex Link and Yasmenn Dabish coming back for Coach Stacie Klumpp. It should be very competitive.
TROY vs Howell
BOYS: The Colts should have their hands full with a very lengthy Highlanders team that returns nine players for Coach Nick Simon. Troy has Mason Parker, Andrew Lake, Leo Penoza, and Jack Sobotka coming back for Coach Gary Fralick. The interior will be the challenge for the Colts and also if they can get Parker his shots. Troy will have their hands full.
GIRLS: If I'm WHMI 93.1 in Howell and Dan Leach, this would be the game to go to. There is some MAJOR star power in this matchup and the matchups could be endless. Imagine Gabby Piepko vs Diamond Prince or Allison Farr against Reigan Zeiter, these could very well happen. The coaching matchup between Jason Piepko and Laura Guzman is very interesting. Both teams have proven depth and emerging freshmen to watch for. We could be in line for a great matchup of two very proven teams.
ADAMS vs Hartland
BOYS: This should be a fun matchup between the Highlanders and the Eagles in Rochester. Hartland has seven return players including the 6.8 Layne Broker coming back for Coach Kevin Blowin. Adams lost a ton of proven experience but has the Langdon brothers (Collin and Clark), along with Trenton LaGarge, Luke Marcial, and Cannon Flynn for Coach Isiah Novak. Both teams are reloading which makes this a very interesting game.
GIRLS: This is going to be a major test for Coach Joe Malburg and the Highlanders. They will head to Hartland to play a proven and proud Eagles squad which has been to a State Final recently. Hartland has 12 of their 18 players were underclassmen for Coach Michael McKay. Adams has Faith Zolhus and Lily Tomahauk coming back for Malburg. This could be a tall task or a statement win for Malburg and company in Livingston County.
AVONDALE vs Plymouth Salem
BOYS: The Yellow Jackets were a very young team that won the Blue and took Clarkston to the brink in the district semifinals last season. They'll see a Rocks team that has five underclassmen for Coach Ryan Nimmerguth coming back this season. Avondale is loaded with Jordan Bush, DJ Moody, Jordan Clayton, and Justin Greer-Sykes coming back for Coach Jaret Thomas. This looks like a mismatch on paper but that's why they play the game.
GIRLS: The Yellow Jackets were not a healthy team last season for Coach Roy Christmon but they have the majority of their team in Madison Manyweathers, Morgan McPherson, and Sasha McClellen coming back among others. Avondale will have a tall order ahead of them when they play Plymouth Salem. The Rocks lost Madison Morson to graduation and they struggled in their district semifinal loss to Plymouth Canton last season. Plymouth Salem has some questions they need to address for Coach Rod Wells. It should be a very interesting matchup in Plymouth between the Yellow Jackets and the Rocks.
ROCHESTER vs Plymouth
BOYS: This is a very interesting matchup between two teams that struggled last season. The Wildcats have a new coach in Darien Bynam. Bynam was the Junior Varsity coach at Plymouth Canton. He will have seven returning players with proven experience including Amir Miller. Plymouth will have to deal with Max Muhl who is a matchup nightmare for teams. Muhl is part of a loaded Rochester lineup which also has Jack Lower, Noah Kim, Jake Tandy, and Anthony Chirco coming back for Coach Nick Evola. It should be a very interesting matchup between two teams looking to have much better seasons.
GIRLS: This should be a very interesting matchup for new Falcons coach Andy Topie heading to Plymouth to play a very experienced Wildcats team. Plymouth is well coached under Coach Ryan Ballard and features very proven players in Annie Flavin, Mackenzie Diken, and Evelyn Stiglish. The Wildcats gave Lake Orion everything they could handle last season. Rochester has Alice Max, Kylie Robinson, Angela Cichowski, Lucy Cook, and Emma Max coming back. Guard play will be the key for the Falcons. This will be a major test for Topie and Rochester, that's for sure.
LAKE ORION vs Plymouth Canton
BOYS: This should be a very interesting matchup between the Dragons and the Cobras in Lake Orion. Plymouth Canton has Teddy Winstel, Kessler Blakita, Lemeul Pettaway, Jake Newman, and Nick Hurley coming back for Coach Jimmy Reddy. The Cobras will have to deal with Zach Parks, Ryan Rocheleau, Gabe Scott, and Nick Galben among others coming back for Coach Jose Andraedas. The coaching matchup between Reddy and Andraedas will be something to watch. These are two very good programs going at in what should be a very interesting game as mentioned.
GIRLS: This is going to be a really interesting matchup between two teams that have two different styles. The Dragons were very young last season and feature a ton of proven returners in Charlotte Peplowski, Neveah Wood, and Izzy Wotlinski for Coach Bob Brydges. The Cobras won 21 games last season and feature a really talented sophomore in forward McKinsley Berlin along with Ava Murphy, Payton Kitchen, and Elizabeth Persinger. They will have a new coach after surprising letting Coach Kayla Bridges go this offseason. This should be a very interesting matchup as mentioned in Plymouth.
CLARKSTON vs Northville
BOYS: These are two teams that have had a ton of success as of late. The Mustangs have the majority of their team coming back including Bennett Wilson and Brody Grezak who are both 6.6. The Wolves have Jon Kaul, Hayden Flavin, Cole Charter, and Quinn Rosenburg among others coming back for Coach Tim Waslik. The battle inside between Wilson and Grezak against Flavin (6.8) will be very interesting to watch. Also playing at Dan Fife Fieldhouse is not easy, it will be very tough for Northville.
GIRLS: This could be a very interesting matchup of two programs that experienced success and have a ton of proven experience. The matchup to watch is Brooklyn Covert and Elliana Robak for the Wolves against Sophia Fraas and Peyton Sivier for the Mustangs. The coaching matchup between Aaron Goodnough and Shaun Dicken is very interesting as well. Clarkston is very experienced while Northville is still very young despite the experience. This should be a very interesting matchup in northern Wayne County.
PONTIAC vs Livonia Churchill
BOYS: Livonia Churchill will have a new coach in Cameron Scott taking over the program. Scott was an assistant at Dearborn last season. He will have a very experienced team which returns nine players after going 0-23 last season. The Phoenix are well coached under Andrew Myers and features of the best players in the league in Jeremiah Claudio. This should be a very interesting matchup at Sy Green Gym.
GIRLS: This will be a very tough matchup for the Phoenix playing a very experienced Chargers team. Livonia Churchill has the majority of their team including Averi Collins coming back for Coach K'len Morris. Coach Chris Wright and Pontiac will have their hands full going up against a very experienced Chargers team on the road.
STONEY CREEK vs Dearborn Fordson
BOYS: This is going to be a really tall task for the Cougars and Coach Jeff Olind. The Tractors won 15 games last season and has 10 of their 13 players coming back for Coach Moe Biaz. Stoney Creek has Giedon Beers, Tyree Smith, and Spencer Beekman, among others coming back. The Cougars are 9-35 under Olind which is not a good stat. It will a very interesting and tall task for Stoney Creek.
GIRLS: This could be a very interesting matchup between the Cougars and the Tractors. Both teams are experienced. Dearborn Fordson has two twin towers in Elina Basna and Reem Abbas for Coach Saleh Abazeed which could give Stoney Creek some trouble in the interior. They also have proven guards as well. The Cougars have Merrick Schwalbach and the Ivezaj sisters which gives them some size for Coach Columbus Williams. Depth could be the battle to watch in this matchup. This will be a very tough matchup for Stoney Creek.
OXFORD vs Livonia Stevenson
BOYS: This is shaping to be a very interesting matchup between the Wildcats and the Spartans with Livonia Stevenson having to take the long bus ride up to Oxford. Livonia Stevenson won 11 games last season and features a veteran heavy team including Jackson Stoops for Coach Jack Mackson. Oxford has Jake Champagne, Luke Stoffan, and Braden Elling coming back for Coach Joe Fedorichik. The Wildcats are also going to be much improved as well. This should be a very intense game.
GIRLS: This should be a matchup of new coaches taking over up and rising or very successful programs. The Spartans have a new coach in former Groves coach Alison Hidey. The Wildcats have a new coach in Phil Dawson taking over the program. Oxford has Alison Hufstedler, Sophia Rabb, Mia Champagne, and Tegan O'Connor coming back. Livonia Stevenson has Gabby Yancura, Carly Piergenti, Samantha McCloud, and Bella Claramunt coming back. Hidey is very familiar going up against the Wildcats, this should be a very interesting game with both teams having proven experience.
SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH vs Westland John Glenn
BOYS: This should be a very interesting matchup of two teams that really struggled last season. The Rockets are a very young team with five returners for Coach Jerrett Smith. The Warriors have Cameron Dickerson and Trent Green coming back for Coach Terrance Porter. This should be a very interesting game between two teams looking to get back on track.
GIRLS: This could be a very interesting matchup. The Rockets were very young winning three games last season for Coach Ollie Mitchell. They should be very experienced and should have a lot of size in As'ya Golden, Madison Perit, and Zoe Clay. They will have a very tough task going up against a Warriors team that has proven scorers in Christian Banks, Samiya Ashford, and Jordyn Ushery for Coach Shaquita Coltrane and they like go up and down. Westland John Glenn has something to prove and going up against a team that is very athletic like Southfield Arts and Tech could do them some wonders.
GROVES vs Wayne Memorial
BOYS: This should be a very interesting matchup in Beverly Hills. The Zebras won 18 games with a really young team last season. Wayne Memorial has Austin Tory, Jahlin McClellan, Carlos Medlock, Jaylohn Allen, Abraham Rooks, Moussa Sidime, Josh Dennis, Talan Clark, and Cayden Shock coming back for Coach Steve Brooks. Groves counters with Jon Simpson, Josh Gibson, and Paul Hubbard for Coach Marc West. The Falcons are loaded this season and will look to make some noise this season.
GIRLS: This is a really dangerous matchup for the Falcons. The Zebras are a proven powerhouse with a ton of speed. They won 14 games last season and have nine players including Mariah Cross and Colleanna Bryant coming back for Coach Jarvis Mitchell. Groves has two very talented players in Jacey Roy and Harlem Simpson for new coach Jessica Duleba. This is a very tall order for the Falcons against a proven and experienced Wayne Memorial program.
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