Boys Basketball Shortcomings 2024-2025.

Written Tuesday March 4th at 8:50 PM

Here are the boys basketball shortcomings for 2024-2025. Waterford Kettering and Waterford Mott will be added since they will likely be joining the OAA next season.

This will be updated often.

Groves: The Falcons had high expectations after winning the district crown last season. They won the Red outright and got to the district finals for their expected showdown with Birmingham Brother Rice. Groves had a 10 point lead but could not sustain it as former Farmington Falcon Greg Grays hit seven straight points in 50 seconds to pull off a stunning 64-61 win over the Falcons on their home floor in the district finals. Groves loses a lot of proven experience in Paul Hubbard, Jon Simpson, Josh Gibson, and Landon McKinney. They will have Beau Kennard coming back for Coach Marc West. Program strength looks to be a concern this offseason. The Falcons will be a different team for sure next season.

Avondale: It was a great first year in the Red for the Yellow Jackets. They beat Clarkston three times but lost a heart breaker 46-45 on their home floor in the district finals to Waterford Mott. Avondale loses Jordan Clayton, Justin Greer-Sykes, DJ Moody, Xavier Bollman, and Issac Gordon but have Jakobe Louris, Anthony Burton, Jaidon Burgeois, and Javonte Anderson coming back for Coach Jaret Thomas. Program strength looks to be solid despite some struggles this season. The Yellow Jackets should be back.

Clarkston: The Wolves took a bit of a step back this season which included a 58-51 loss to Avondale in the district semifinals. They lose seven seniors including John Kaul and Quinn Rosenburg. Clarkston has Cole Charter, Ace Walters, and Hayden Barlow coming back for Coach Tim Waslik. It is unknown if Hayden Flavin will come back (football.) Program strength looks to be solid especially with their freshman program going unbeaten. The Wolves will be back for sure next season.

North Farmington: The Raiders have a system clearly in place which is why North Farmington has been really consistent for so long. However the Raiders were really inconsistent at times which cost them in their 69-60 loss to arch rival Farmington in the district semifinals. North Farmington loses Rob Smith and Ari Meltser to graduation but Coach Todd Negoshian always says the strength of the Raiders has always been program strength, this is something Negoshian will use this offseason as North Farmington will look to have a bounce back season.

West Bloomfield: It was an up and down season for the Lakers which saw them lose some really tough games. They beat Walled Lake Central 56-54 in the district semifinals but they were no match for Orchard Lake St. Marys falling 69-44 in the district finals. They lose five seniors in Brendin Jones, Jamad Williams, Corey Pittman, Artis Hicks, and David Lewis. They have Curtis Britton, Jayden Brown, Zach Boisvenu, Branslav Stojanovski, Quinn Davis, Willie Edwards, Prince Miles-El, Kylo Dickerson, and Terry Lowe coming back for Coach Arnette Jordan. Program strength is a concern for West Bloomfield this offseason. The Lakers will be a team to keep an eye on next season.

Ferndale: It was another year of growing pains for the Eagles which saw them struggle to get to 500 playing a really tough schedule. Ferndale did not make the district final with a 63-60 loss to Detroit Pershing in the district semifinals. There has to be some questions for Coach Juan Rickman when it comes to the non conference schedule. The Eagles have Eden Vinyard and Torriano Adams coming back. Program strength is a concern for Rickman as Ferndale might have to ride on Vinyard and Adams again next season.

Adams: This season had a ton of ups and downs for the Highlanders which seen them have a losing record. Adams lost two players in the Langdon brothers as they went to Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit during the season. The Highlanders lost a heartbreaking 44-42 district final to Rochester. They lose seven seniors including Trent LaGarge, Henry Donahue, Joey Klott, and Luke Marcial. Adams has Cannon Flynn, Brady Lindstrom, and Zeke Wilson come back for Coach Isiah Novak. Program strength looks solid heading into next season. The Highlanders will be a team to watch next season.

Oxford: The Wildcats had a special season winning the White and winning 20 games this season. Oxford was stunned by Davison 49-42 in the district semifinals after winning 64-39 over the Cardinals in November. The Wildcats lose eight really good seniors including Jake Champagne, Drew Cady, Luke Stoffan, and Nolan Mauser. They have Brennan Elling coming back for Coach Joe Fedorchik. Program strength is a big concern for Fedorchik this offseason.

Lake Orion: The Dragons had a strong year this season but they still have some postseason lessons still to vanquish. They suffered a heartbreaking 41-40 loss to Waterford Mott in the district semifinals. Turnovers and really questionable officiating did them in that loss. Lake Orion loses eight seniors including Zack Parks, Nick Galben, Gabe Scott, Joey Neering and its unknown if Ryan Rocheleau will come back (football.) The Dragons will have Nate Giacolone, Max Neering, Will Farmer, and Jackson Shoskey coming back for Coach Jose Andrades. Program strength looks to be solid for Lake Orion. The Dragons should be back in the conversation for a deep run next season.

Farmington: The Falcons had a strong season which resulted in them winning 20 games which included upsetting their arch rivals North Farmington and winning a district crown. They fell 89-45 to Wayne Memorial in the regional semifinals. Farmington could be a serious contender for the Red with the majority of their team coming back led by Anthony Bailey and Myles Smith for Coach Byron Johnson. The Falcons play team ball which pleases Johnson and they have program strength. Farmington should be a player next season.

Troy: The Colts had an up and down season which ended in a shocking 53-44 loss to arch rival Troy Athens in the district semifinals. Troy loses four key players in Mason Parker, Leo Penoza, Andrew Lake, and Jack Sobotka. They have Blake Kuiper coming back for Coach Gary Fralick. Program strength is a concern for Fralick heading into next season.

Troy Athens: The Red Hawks had a strong finish to the end of the season. They also made some huge upsets along the way upsetting Troy 53-44 and Royal Oak 39-37 to win a district crown but Troy Athens fell to Warren DeLaSalle 76-41 in the regional semifinals. They lose Jason Bousma, Corban Crum, Brendan Tucker, and Nate Appledorn. Troy Athens has Nathan Piggott, Enir Fjolla, Caiden Hanburry, Donnie Payne, Braeden Hupman, Alan Spahic, Nathan Johnson, Abdu Mahmoud, and Maddex Snipes coming back for Coach Mitchell Vercellino. The Red Hawks have program strength. Troy Athens is a team to watch this offseason and next season as well.

Seaholm: It was a really challenging year for the Maples but they made some strides especially late in the season which included wins over Troy and Harper Woods. Seaholm fell 48-41 to Bloomfield Hills in the first round. They lose six seniors in Beckett Wertz, Will Soderwall, Cole Baldwin, Elijah Harper, Charlie Gorcyca and Cole French. The Maples have Patrick Hughes, Everett Wertz, Aiden Pero, and Brody Fieldmaker coming back for Coach Spenser Adams. Program strength has been really solid for Seaholm. The Maples could be a force for years to come next season.

Oak Park: The Knights had a rough season going through lack of depth and struggles. Oak Park fell 66-21 to Birmingham Brother Rice in the district semifinals. They lose Jason Harris but several players come back for Coach Durrand Sheppard. Program strength is a big concern for the Knights this offseason. Oak Park will be a team to keep a close eye on next season.

Harper Woods: It was a really disappointing season for the Pioneers which seen them win three games and take a 53-49 loss to Eastpointe in the first round. Harper Woods loses Miron Baylor and Colby Bailey but they have a young nucleus in DeAndre Bidden and Andre Cast coming back for Coach TaJuan Porter. Program strength is a major concern for the Pioneers. It will be very interesting to see what Harper Woods does this offseason.

Rochester: The Falcons had a really good season winning the Blue and their first district crown since 2015 beating Adams 44-42 on their home floor but they fell 53-34 to Waterford Mott in the regional semifinals. They lose five seniors including Jake Tandy and Kellen Mohl. Rochester has Max Mohl, Logan Pleasent, Andrew Smith, and Luke Lower coming back for Coach Nick Evola. Program strength looks to be very strong as well especially with their junior varsity going unbeaten. The Falcons will be a team to watch this offseason and also next season.

Pontiac: The Phoenix went through a lot especially early. They had a new coach in DeQuan Washington take over the program and they managed to win 11 games. Pontiac fell 55-52 on their home floor to Pontiac Notre Dame Prep in the district finals. The Phoenix have JJ Claudio and Jaiden Price coming back. Program strength looks very iffy at the moment despite having a very strong Middle School program. Pontiac will be a team to watch this offseason.

Bloomfield Hills: The Blackhawks had a really interesting season which had some ups and downs in which they beat Seaholm but fell 74-50 to Birmingham Brother Rice in the district semifinals. Bloomfield Hills showed signs of promise but also signs of where they need to work on heading into next season. The Blackhawks lose two seniors in Anthony Ammori and Micah Henderson. They have the majority of their players in Mason Hitchcock, DaRon Mason, Carter Canfield, Brennan Bies, and Carter Hartfield coming back for Coach Brian Canfield. Program strength looks to be solid for the Blackhawks. Bloomfield Hills could be a really scary team next season with their proven experience.

Stoney Creek: The Cougars had a really turbulent season which featured a 71-55 win over Adams but some really questionable home losses to Southfield Arts and Tech and Ferndale University. They lost to Adams 48-46 in the district semifinals. Stoney Creek loses several seniors including Spencer Beckeman, Tyree Smith, and Giedon Beers. The Cougars have KJ Schuster, Anthony Arlinghaus, Quentin Rangi, Jack Fredenburg, Charlie Carson, and Joey Miller coming back for Coach Jeff Olind. Program strength looks to be solid for Olind but questions remain. Stoney Creek will be a team to watch this offseason.

Southfield Arts and Tech: The Warriors had some growing pains but finished out strong upsetting Stoney Creek to close the regular season but they fell 62-55 to Oak Park in the first round. Southfield Arts and Tech was still a very young team and still has a young roster with Cameron Dickinson coming back for Coach Terrance Porter. Program strength looks very concerning for Porter but they are starting to improve. They will be really interesting to watch next season.

Royal Oak: It was a good season for the Ravens taking a step forward not a step back. Royal Oak earned the top seed in their district and beat their arch rival Berkley but they could not put it away as they fell 39-37 to Troy Athens in the district finals. The Ravens lose three seniors in Nate Rogers, Forman Blackmon, Nick Hoffman, and Omar Hunt. They have a lot of proven talent in CJ Hairston, Sam Zeller, Taylor Vance, Ethan Couzens, Jackson Bofferding, and Yurmen Patino coming back for Coach Aaron Smith. Program strength has been a concern for Smith and will be worth watching. Royal Oak looks to be in a good spot this offseason, they just have to keep the momentum going into next season.

Berkley: It was a really challenging year for the Bears having to overcome injuries despite winning six games. Berkley fell 58-38 to Royal Oak in the district semifinals. The Bears lose seven seniors in Jacob Friedman, Evan Haenick, Rhys Rubenstein, Sam Niyo, Johnny Paprocki, Quan Young, and Avery Johnson. They have Ries Tuttle, AJ Green, Sam Sermo, and Drew Sermo coming back for Coach Joe Sermo. Program strength looks to be solid for Sermo. Berkley will look for better results coming into next season.

Ferndale University: It was a really interesting year for the Eagles which seen them win 10 games and upset Stoney Creek and Southfield Arts and Tech. Ferndale University beat Hazel Park 48-44 in the first round but they were no match for Warren Lincoln falling 78-37 in the district semifinals. Ferndale University loses some key players including Tyler Stokes but they have several players coming back for Coach Josh Nicks. Program strength will be something to watch this offseason. The Eagles could be a team on the rise next season.

Waterford Kettering: The Captains had a really rough year in the Lakes Valley Conference winning one game and they were blown out by Lake Orion 66-19 in the first round of districts. They lose Trevor Meredith, Hunter Jager, and Trevor Bissett. The Captains have Jordan Jarrell, Gustas Garbenis, Haiden Bigelow, Braycen Harrington, Dylan Hamel, Josh Wagner, Jessie Redick, Brycen Land, Jack Buczek and Katim Jallow coming back for Coach Steve Emmert. Program strength is a concern for Waterford Kettering with the competition going to be much tougher heading into next season.

Waterford Mott: The Corsairs had a really nice season sharing the Lakes Valley Conference with Walled Lake Central and winning a district crown. Waterford Mott has a really tough regional final matchup against Orchard Lake St. Marys. They lose Gavin Ort, MJ Long, Nate Lewis, and Jakoby Manyweathers. Waterford Mott has Tori Robinson, DaMari Stephens, Jordan White, Greg White, J'Vaughn Jones, Caleb Stevinson, Anderson Gray, Matthew White, and Luis Carballo coming back for Coach Jeff Jayson. Program strength is a concern for the Corsairs and something to watch. Waterford Mott should be solid next season but the competition is going to be a lot tougher than it was in the Lakes Valley Conference.