Softball Regional Preview.

Written Saturday May 31st at 7:25 PM

Here is the softball regional preview. 

Region Four @ Royal Oak 

ROYAL OAK vs Utica Ford II

The Ravens are back in the regional after going through a tough district final with Berkley winning 13-10. They will get a proven softball power in Utica Ford II. The Falcons had to survive Utica 4-3 in eight innings in the district final to get to this game. This will be a test for Royal Oak despite being at home to see how they measure up against a proven State power.

 

Utica Eisenhower vs Port Huron Northern

The Eagles won a very competitive district at Romeo beating Stoney Creek 5-1 in the district final winning their first district crown in eight years. Port Huron Northern won a tough district which had Macomb Dakota and New Baltimore Anchor Bay in there. The Huskies stunned the Cougars 8-7 for their first district title in 22 years and is the Macomb Area Conference Blue Champs. Utica Eisenhower has been really good all season as well and have played a much tougher schedule. This should be a fun matchup with both teams playing with nothing to lose and everything to gain. 

 

Region Seven @ Novi

BLOOMFIELD HILLS vs South Lyon

This is a really interesting matchup between these two teams. The Blackhawks are a really high scoring team and has been very consistent winning both their district games by a combined 29-6. They will play a South Lyon team that made the Final Four last season and has one of the top players in the game in Izzy Noose. The Lions had to beat their arch rivals South Lyon East 6-2 in the district finals to get to this game. It's a tough matchup for Bloomfield Hills but they have a chance to pull off an upset if things go right. 

 

Farmington Hills Mercy vs Northville 

This should be a very interesting matchup of two heavyweight programs. The Mustangs have been rolling which included a monster 9-7 upset win over Livonia Stevenson in the district finals behind a grand slam from freshman Jocelyn Burns but they will have their toughest test yet. The Marlins are loaded and motivated to get back to East Lansing and they feature one of the best pitchers in the State in Alabama commit Kaitlyn Pallozzi and the likely Miss Softball winner. This should be a really interesting matchup. 

 

Region Eight @ Grand Blanc

LAKE ORION vs Walled Lake Northern

The Dragons really had no issues with their district beating Waterford Mott and Clarkston by a combined 23-2. Lake Orion will have a really interesting matchup with Walled Lake Northern. The Knights shocked arch rival Lakeland 6-3 in the district finals to get to this game. Both teams have high octane offenses and solid pitching staffs. This should be a really interesting matchup to say the least. 

 

Grand Blanc vs Howell

These are two former Kensington Lakes Activities Association rivals going at it. Howell has had a really strong season and a strong district. They upset Hartland 12-6 in the district semifinals and beat Brighton 7-6 in the district finals to get to this game. The Bobcats weren't tested in their district winning over Lapeer, Holly, and Fenton by a combined 31-0. The Highlanders are the favorite on paper, playing a much tougher schedule than Grand Blanc who is at home but you never know how things will turn out. 

 

Region 14 @ Livonia Clarenceville

HARPER WOODS vs Dearborn Divine Child

The Pioneers have been a story all season. They fell to Detroit Denby Tech early in the season only to get them back in a crazy 25-14 district final. It's going to get tough for Harper Woods with Dearborn Divine Child. The Chargers are really good and talented. This is not a really good matchup at all for the Pioneers. 

 

Hazel Park vs Warren Fitzgerald

These are two rivals that are no strangers to one another, separated by Dequindre Road. These are two teams that won their districts pretty easily. The Vikings won their district by a combined 34-2 while the Spartans won their district by a combined 35-0. This should be a really interesting matchup to say the least. 

Baseball Regional Preview.

Written Saturday May 31st at 6:40 PM

Updated Wednesday June 4th at 7:17 PM 

Here is the baseball regional preview. 

LAKE ORION vs Davison  @ Grand Blanc

The Dragons will have a really interesting regional final with Davison on Saturday afternoon. Lake Orion earned a 8-1 win over Port Huron Northern on Wednesday afternoon on their graduation. Now without the distractions the Dragons can focus on their matchup with the Cardinals. Davison is coming off a hard earned 6-5 in eight innings over Fenton in their regional semifinal matchup. Whoever wins this matchup will see Macomb Dakota or Birmingham Brother Rice in the State Quarterfinals on Saturday at Grand Blanc.

 

 

WEST BLOOMFIELD vs Northville @ Novi

The Lakers have been one of the best teams in the State as of late. They earned a 2-0 win over Lakeland on Wednesday afternoon in the regional semifinals. West Bloomfield will have a really tough matchup looming with the defending Division One State Champs in Northville on Saturday afternoon. The Mustangs had to survive their regional semifinal matchup with a 2-1 win over Plymouth on Tuesday. Whoever wins this matchup will either see Hartland or Okemos in the State Quarterfinals on Saturday in Novi.

Girls Soccer Regional Preview.

Written Saturday May 31st at 6:24 PM

Here is the regional preview for Girls Soccer. 

Region Two @ Grand Blanc

Brighton vs Northville

This is a really interesting matchup of two KLAA West foes. Northville has been solid all season long but they have not been able to solve Brighton. The Bulldogs beat the Mustangs 2-0 early into the season and 4-3 a few weeks ago. It's always hard to beat a team three times which Brighton has that opportunity to do. This should be a really interesting matchup.  

 

OXFORD vs Hartland

The Wildcats stunned the district with upsets of Davison, Lake Orion, and Clarkston. Hartland ended the unbeaten streak of Bloomfield Hills with a 2-1 win over the Blackhawks. Oxford is battle tested having faced a strong Red schedule but the Eagles bring a different challenge. This should be a really interesting matchup. 

 

SAMMY PICK: I don't see anyone beating Hartland in this district. Give me the Eagles moving on. 

 

Region Four @ Rochester

BERKLEY vs Macomb Dakota

This round is very new for both of these teams. The Cougars won a really tight district that had New Baltimore Anchor Bay and won over Chippewa Valley. The Bears went through the White but this is very much new for them in this round. It should be a really interesting matchup to see which team meets up against a proven State power in the regional finals.

 

TROY ATHENS vs Utica Eisenhower

This will be a fun matchup between two State powers that have been ranked all season. Utica Eisenhower is riding with a ton of confidence coming into this game as Coach Merhdad Nekoogar got his 300th career win as head coach with a 3-0 district final win over Adams. Troy Athens has been a powerhouse for a long time. The Red Hawks had to survive arch rival Troy in penalty kicks. The Eagles as mentioned went through the city of Rochester beating Stoney Creek, Rochester, and Adams becoming the defacto Rochester city champs. This game could go to penalty kicks. 

 

SAMMY PICK: The winner of the Troy Athens/Utica Eisenhower semifinal matchup should win this regional. I think Troy Athens has been there done that. I trust the Red Hawks. 

Oak Park dominants as Division One Girls Track and Field State Champs.

Written Saturday May 31st at 6:15 PM

The Knights dominance in girls track and field continues.

Oak Park won the Division One State crown in girls track and field for the fourth straight year scoring 86 points on Saturday afternoon at East Kentwood winning their ninth State Crown in 11 seasons.

The Knights scored 23 points in the 400 meter dash and won three of the four relays along with scoring 21 points in the 100 and 300 hurdles respectably. 

West Bloomfield took fourth behind the sprinting of Kamryn Tatum who won the 100 and 200 meter dashes.

Ellie Mendoza finished second in the discus for Rochester who tied for eighth with 21 points.

Farmington tied for 26th with 7.5 points, Royal Oak was tied for 37th with four points from thrower Jada Ewell in the discus, and Adams along with Oxford were tied for 45th with two points each.

On the boys side at East Kentwood, Oak Park tied for fourth with 28 points while Clarkston was 13th with 19 points, Groves was 16th with 15 points behind the discus win from Ray Glory Ejoyokah, Troy and Adams tied for 24th with nine points, West Bloomfield was tied for 33rd with six points, Troy Athens and Stoney Creek behind Spencer Beckeman was tied for 41st with four points, and Bloomfield Hills was tied for 53rd with two points.

In Division Two at Hamilton, Harper Woods boys tied for 18th with 10 points and Ferndale tied for 56th with two points. In the girls Ferndale was tied for 49th with three points.

Overall it was a great day on the track for the OAA. Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest on this developing story. 

 

Seaholm wins Division Two State Crown in Tennis.

Written Saturday May 31st at 4:10 PM

The Maples girls tennis reign continues.

Seaholm won the Division Two State crown scoring 32 points at Western Michigan in Kalamazoo. Farmington Hills Mercy was second with 25 points while Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern was third with 23 points.

North Farmington took sixth with 15 points, Groves was tied for 11th with nine points, and Berkley was 16th with four points. Ferndale did not score in the Division Two State Championships.

In Division One at Byron Center and Grand Rapids South Christian, Northville won the crown with 23 points edging out Utica Eisenhower who had 22 points. Novi took third with 19 points Adams took fourth with 18 points and Clarkston rounded out the top five with 17 points.

Stoney Creek tied for ninth with 10 points, Bloomfield Hills was 13th with eight points, Troy was tied for 14th with seven points, Rochester was 16th with five points, West Bloomfield was tied for 20th with two points while Troy Athens and Royal Oak did not score.

Congrats to all who competed in the State Championships this weekend.

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

Berkley has a new Boys Basketball Coach.

Written Thursday May 22nd at 4:45 PM

Updated Thursday May 22nd at 8:06 PM

James McCulloh has overcame a ton of adversity in his coaching career. Everyone deserves a second chance, could this be the chip on his shoulder he is looking for in Berkley???

The Bears named McCulloh as their new boys basketball coach on Thursday afternoon. He takes over for Coach Joe Sermo who stepped down last month.

"I'm excited to share that I've officially accepted the position as head Boys Basketball Coach at Berkley High School. I'm honored to lead this program and help our student athletes grow on and off the court. Lets build something special. Go Bears" McCulloh wrote on X.

Inside the OAA and The D-Zone confirmed the hire.

McCulloh coached at Livonia Churchill from 2016-2023 and prior to that he was an assistant at Seaholm under Coach Spenser Adams last season. McCulloh had things really challenging when he was with the Chargers going 16-153 in his seven years including a 1-45 record in his final two seasons with the program.

Berkley struggled with injuries going 6-18 and finishing last in the Blue. The Bears fell 58-38 to Royal Oak in the district semifinals last season. They have Ries Tuttle, AJ Green, Sam Sermo, and Drew Sermo coming back along with a ton of program strength.

McCulloh along with his new team will look to have a bounce back season. The Bears will be in the Gold with Waterford Kettering, Ferndale University, Harper Woods, Southfield Arts and Tech, and Oak Park this season. The district has not been announced yet.

There will be a transition period which McCulloh and the Bears have to go through which has to happen during the season.

I'll have my thoughts on the podcast on Tuesday.

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

 

The D-Zone on X

https://x.com/TheDZoneBBall/status/1925637295035584939

 

McCulloh on X

https://x.com/coachmcculloh/status/1925547095735300143 

Fralick to be inducted into the Michigan Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame.

Written Thursday May 22nd at 1:25 PM

This will be updated.

Troy Colts boys basketball coach Gary Fralick will enter the Michigan Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame this fall.

"Big News Troy Colts, we're proud to announce that Coach Gary Fralick will be inducted into the Michigan Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame this fall. Coach Fralick's impact on student athletes, Troy High, and the greater Michigan community has been nothing short of legendary. This honor is well deserved" the Colts page said on X.

Fralick impact with the Troy community has been very strong. He has coached some of the greatest talent to come out of Troy including James Young and both Parker brothers (Brody and Mason) among other great players to come out of Troy. 

Fralick's record has been really good but it's the character he brings on and off the court that earned him this honor.

Congratulations Coach Fralick.

 

Troy Colts Athletics Page

https://x.com/Troy__Athletics/status/1925537487025320401/photo/1

Stoney Creek has a new Boys Basketball Coach.

Written Tuesday May 20th at 1:15 PM

Updated Wednesday May 21st at 1:20 PM

The Cougars will have a new boys basketball coach this winter.

Stoney Creek named Marko Tomich as their new boys basketball coach according to the D-Zone basketball who confirmed the news. Tomich takes over for Coach Jeff Olind who was let go last month.

Olind went 19-47 in his three years with the program. This is what Tomich will be tasked with in turning around but the competition will be a lot more tougher.

Tomich was an assistant at Royal Oak Shrine under Coach Mike Maryanski but he is well known with in the basketball community. Birmingham Brother Rice coach Rick Palmer called Tomich a "Rising Star" on his X page.

Tomich has been known as a coach who has build relationships with his players and is a student of the game of basketball. 

Tomich will have a huge challenge awaiting him at Stoney Creek. He has to get on the same page with the parents. The parents demand a lot from the coaching staff. Tomich will have a ton of proven talent in KJ Schuster, Anthony Arlinghaus, Quentin Rangi, Jack Fredenburg, Charlie Carson, and Joey Miller coming back. Program strength looks to be solid for the Cougars but the challenge will be at the Junior Varsity and Varsity levels with the program.

Stoney Creek will be in the White after a rough go in the Blue the last three years. They will have Adams, Rochester, Waterford Mott, Oxford, and Lake Orion in the division. The districts have not been announced yet but it is likely they could have Romeo, Utica Eisenhower, and their city rival schools (Adams and Rochester) in them.

It will be really interesting to see how Tomich handles the transition period.

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

Here is the tweet from Stu Carrolton of the D-Zone

https://x.com/TheDZoneBBall/status/1924829705372397914

Pontiac has a new Boys Basketball Coach.

Written Monday May 12th at 1:16 PM

Pontiac will have a new boys basketball coach next winter.

The Phoenix have named Dion Harris their new head coach confirmed by the D-Zone. Harris is the third coach in three years in Pontiac. He takes over for DeQuan Washington who stepped down coaching the program.

Harris played at Michigan from 2003-2007 and was Michigan Mr. Basketball in 2003 for Detroit Redford.

Harris new team has a ton of questions despite having JJ Claudio and Jaiden Price coming back. Program strength will be something to watch with the Phoenix. Pontiac will be in the Blue with Troy, Troy Athens, Seaholm, Bloomfield Hills, and Royal Oak. The district for the Phoenix will be announced by the MHSAA in June.

It will be really interesting to see how the transition period comes for Pontiac and for Harris. We'll see what happens.

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

Here is the tweet from D-Zone (Stu Carrolton) confirming the move.

https://x.com/TheDZoneBBall/status/1921972327694119106

Adams will have a new Girls Basketball Coach next winter.

Written Saturday May 10th at 12:28 AM

Adams will have a new girls basketball coach next winter.

Highlanders Coach Joe Malburg will not be returning as Girls Varsity Basketball Coach. The Rochester Community Schools Zip Recruiter website confirmed the news. The job was posted on May 6th 2025 which the application is on the bottom of this column.

Malburg took over for Shay Lewis who is at Schoolcraft College in 2020. He went 28-53 in his four years with the program. Malburg has had a ton of success with smaller schools prior to coming to Adams.

The Highlanders overcame a ton of injuries winning 10 games but they were shocked falling 37-33 to Romeo in the district first round after the Bulldogs lost two key players to injuries in that game last season. Adams has Faith Zoldus, Jordan Jarrell, Layla Tomezak, Regan Moore, Alyssa Stephens, Nora Camaj, and Nadia Heppner coming back for the new coach.

Adams has program strength which will help the new coach but there will be a transition period which has to happen during the season. They will be in the Blue with Southfield Arts and Tech, Harper Woods, Troy, Troy Athens, and Ferndale next season. The district has not been released as of yet but it is likely the Highlanders could see their arch rivals Rochester and Stoney Creek in their district.

It will be really interesting to see how Adams approaches this going forward.

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

Adams Coaching Application from Zip Recruiter.

https://www.ziprecruiter.com/c/Rochester-Community-Schools/Job/Adams-High-School-Varsity-Girls-Basketball-Head-Coach-(2308)/-in-Rochester-Hills,MI?jid=b0d34f6ddd8b8136

MHSAA making some changes.

Written Friday May 9th at 7:21 AM

The MHSAA Representative Council has made some changes effective next school year.

Here are some of the noticeable rule changes.

In Girls Wrestling, district and regional championships will be awarded after State Champions were awarded last season for the first time.

Tennis will have a pilot program with all four lower peninsula finals to be played at the Midland Tennis Center in Midland. 

In football the team that forfeits the game will not get the bonus points if they forfeit the game. Also eight man football gets to play their semifinal games on turf at a neutral site. The top seed previously got to host the game.

Boys Volleyball becomes an official sport with the state semifinals and finals played at the Kellogg Center in Battle Creek on June 5th-6th which will have two divisions based on enrollment. They also approved a Co-Op with teams with less than 3,500 students.

For a team to declare a scrimmage, the win-loss record can not be altered. One rule must be altered to be declared a scrimmage like in basketball it can't be eight minute quarters. 

Baseball players can play on the same day with a 38 game limit still applying to students.

Volleyball players can play no more than 18 sets per day.

Bowling can play no more than eight games on a school day (Monday-Thursday)

Transfers

The MHSAA updated its transfer rule regarding the specific sport transfer regulation to the full and complete move exception that allows a student to gain immediate eligibility.

The first change is it increases the number of school days to 180 for a student who changes residences and must compete at that new school before returning to a previous school district and having potential athletic eligibility. If the student decides to move back to their previous school district before the 180 days then they could lose their athletic eligibility in all sports unless it it agreed upon between the two schools and the MHSAA. 

The second change increases the amount of time to an athletes former residence must be signed into a long term or lease agreement to a minimum of one year (12 months.)

 

Middle School/Junior High 

The Representative Council approved a change to allow middle school/junior high school teams to begin practice on the first day of classes if it's before the first available first allowed practice day before the 14th Monday before Thanksgiving. Ninth grade football may begin practice on the same day as the Junior Varsity and Varsity if the ninth grade team is comprised only of ninth grade students who have been approved for eligibility advancement. 

Also middle school/junior high students will be eligible for high school competition due to their high school's small enrollment but they will be subject to the high school transfer rules. In the OAA, none of these schools would be eligible with most of the league at over 450 kids.

I will talk more about this on Tuesday's podcast.

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

 

MHSAA Representative Council.

https://www.mhsaa.com/topics/mhsaa-news/council-approves-tennis-finals-pilot-program-girls-wrestling-titles-districts