Basketball Teams to Watch REALLY CLOSELY this Summer

Written Thursday June 6th at 8:35 AM

These are the top five most to prove teams to watch this summer.

Boys

Oak Park: The Knights are the most interesting to watch this summer for a few reasons. They return the balk of their team but also they are heading to the White which should be very competitive this winter. Chemistry will be the key for Coach Durrand Sheppard and Oak Park if they want to make a return to the Red for next season.

Avondale: The Yellow Jackets were a very young team that made huge strides in winning the Blue and taking Clarkston to the brink in the district semifinals. Avondale has the majority of their team coming back for Coach Jaret Thomas. The Yellow Jackets need to test themselves this summer especially with going to the Red this winter. Thomas is no stranger to the Red which helps but developing his program to be Red ready will be the key and something to watch.

Stoney Creek: This is the team I see that needs to have a monster summer. The Cougars have really struggled in the last two years and the record proves that despite having flashes of brilliance. It's Coach Jeff Olind's third year, he's got a nice blend of young talent and experience. There should be no reason why Stoney Creek should be one of the favorites in the Blue.

Harper Woods: The Pioneers went up and down last season. Harper Woods has a couple of proven scorers coming back but the sub varsities will need to be watched closely. The junior varsity program was disbanded after they got into a fight at Farmington last season. The question for Coach TuJuan Porter will be is how many of those players from the junior varsity team comes back and how's the freshmen program improves. It's going to be a challenge for Porter to see how this roster looks especially heading into winter.

Royal Oak: The Ravens are a team I'm keeping my eye on closely. Royal Oak has had a habit of starting the calendar year strong but have struggled when the year changes. I'm keeping a close eye on who Coach Aaron Smith develops in the interior, they have the shooters but interior play and consistency should be the key messages for Smith and his program.

 

Girls:

Ferndale: The Eagles return three all league players and have a strong freshmen class coming into the program. Coach Keith Paris team should be deeper but this is a program that still has program strength concerns. Moving to the Red should help Ferndale along with playing a tough non conference but will being up in this division be enough especially against a proven powerhouse like Birmingham Detroit Country Day in their district???

Stoney Creek: The post Sarah LaPrarie era starts for Coach Columbus Williams and the Cougars. Stoney Creek looked solid behind the play if the Ivezaj sisters and also Merrick Schlawbach look to be the leaders for Williams. The Cougars are a team to watch this winter, they should be solid but you never know with the Red.

Troy: The Colts will be the most interesting team to watch this summer. Coach Laura Guzman has the majority of her team coming back led by Reigan Zeiter and Diamond Prince. I'm watching the interior closely with Aly Matuza and Carly Higginbottom then there is Maci Zeiter coming into the program. Troy will be loaded with proven depth this summer. The key for Guzman will be is how the chemistry develops. The Colts have a Red capable team that's playing in the White this winter. Chemistry will be something to watch with Troy.

Farmington: The Falcons really struggled last season. They have a ton of experience coming back for Coach Natalie Nowak. Nowak has toughen up the non conference schedule which helps. Farmington's mindset this summer is what I'm watching for especially being in the Gold where they will be the overwhelming favorite to win the division but this team can not be content, if they are that spells trouble.