Boys Basketball Thoughts.

Written Sunday December 14th at 8:47 AM

Here are some thoughts on each team for the week. This will also be on the website https://aroundtheoaa.weebly.com/ as well

Avondale: The Yellow Jackets are clicking on all cylinders especially offensively. Avondale has had a ton of confidence which is why they are winning games. They have balance and they have been producing. It will be very interesting to see how Avondale responds going forward.

Clarkston: The Wolves are off to a great start and their play has showed it. Clarkston has balance and has really showed that they are for real. It will be really interesting if they can sustain this play when the Red goes deeper. The Wolves are in a great spot right now.

Ferndale: The Eagles have been battle tested which has shown in their games but it's clear that if Eden Vinyard gets into foul trouble or gets shut down that's bad news for Coach Juan Rickman and the Eagles. The non conference schedule helps in the long term but the short term Ferndale is going through some inconsistency right now.

West Bloomfield: The Lakers still have a defensive problem but its somehow improving despite allowing 56 points. The magic number for Coach Arnette Jordan to hold teams is below 45 points, if you hold a team to under 45 points, that's a great defensive win. The defense still continues to be the story for West Bloomfield but 56 points allowed is a start.

Groves: The Falcons have been a hard team to figure out, there are times they look good and times not so much. Groves will be dealing with those inconsistency all season long. It will be very interesting to see what Coach Marc West does heading into Christmas with these inconsistency issues.

North Farmington: The Raiders are off to a strong start but they needed to beat Detroit University Prep 67-58. The game between North Farmington and Farmington will be intense as it always has but the Raiders have a new coaching staff. It's clear that North Farmington is rolling right now and starting to become more battle tested.

Farmington: The Falcons are off to a strong start scoring a ton of points while allowing a bunch which is a concern. Farmington has continued the momentum from last season which is a good sign for them especially heading into the Red. Coach Byron Johnson has this program believing.

Waterford Mott: The Corsairs had an interesting week where they were upset by Hartland but knocked off their arch rival Waterford Kettering. Waterford Mott has been a very interesting team to figure out lately with the stunning loss to the Eagles and they took it out on their arch rival. Waterford Mott needs to figure their problems on big courts out or it could be trouble for the Corsairs.

Lake Orion: The Dragons shooting percentage is going to decide them games. The poor shooting percentage showed it's ugly head against Salem but something tells me that Lake Orion is going to be fine after the loss to the Rocks. The Dragons have to shoot well to win games that is the bottom line.

Adams: The Highlanders have seemed to turn things around after two tough losses to two very good teams by winning two straight games. It looks like Cannon Flynn might have found a robin which will be huge for the Highlanders going forward. Adams looks like they are clicking and heading in the right direction.

Stoney Creek: The Cougars are off to a strong start despite the loss to Clarkston, they are happier, more confident under Coach Marko Tomich. The schedule will get tougher for Stoney Creek but they are in a good spot right now. 

Rochester: The Falcons have been on a tear and have been taking names. Rochester had a tough one with Troy Athens winning 47-38 on the road. The Falcons are for real, the Ann Arbor Skyline game could be their next test heading forward. Rochester is clicking that is for sure.

Oxford: The Wildcats have been competitive which is a great sign but there will be some very tough lessons which showed in their 49-48 loss to Utica Eisenhower on Friday night. Oxford will be fine going forward despite the loss but things are going to get harder from here for them.

Pontiac: The Phoenix have turned things around after losing to Avondale and have won three straight. Pontiac has proven they can win in different ways which is a good sign for Coach Dion Harris going forward. The Phoenix are fine right now.

Bloomfield Hills: The Black Hawks are rolling right now winning four straight games over quality competition. Bloomfield Hills has a chance to have a special year with the way things are going. They have a very interesting game with Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy looming this weekend which could be a fun one. The Black Hawks are clicking as mentioned.

Troy: The Colts have been very competitive going on a two game winning streak. Troy has been very good offensively as of late but the defense will be key for Coach Gary Fralick especially later in the season. The Colts are starting to put it together.

Troy Athens: The Red Hawks have been very competitive despite having tough losses lately but Troy Athens should be better despite the losses especially later in the season and heading into the postseason. The Red Hawks are much improved under Coach Mitchell Vercellino. It's only a matter of time before they turn things around.

Royal Oak: The Ravens have been competitive that is for sure and that is what Coach Aaron Smith wants, despite their two tough losses it is no doubt that Royal Oak has stepped up their game. This will be a team to watch heading into Christmas. Smith has the Ravens heading in the right direction.

Seaholm: The Maples went back to Earth a little bit with two tough losses to Adams and South Lyon East. Seaholm could be that mystery team this season. Coach Spenser Adams needs to find a way to get back to that Maples team that was very good defensively early in the year or trouble looms. 

Waterford Kettering: The Captains are 2-2 in this young season, losing to arch rival Waterford Mott but beat Lapeer 48-45 on a buzzer beater, it's no doubt that Waterford Kettering is making progress under Coach Will Campbell but they still have a long way to go. The Captains have made a ton of progress from last season that is for sure.

Harper Woods: The Pioneers had a rough outing falling 56-43 to Troy. There are some concerns with Coach TaJuan Porter's team heading into the season. Harper Woods is in need of a bounce back if not they are in trouble.

Oak Park: The Knights had no trouble with Melvindale holding them to 12 points. Oak Park is off to a solid start but there are tougher road blocks ahead for the Knights going forward.

Southfield Arts and Tech: The Warriors had a rough week but Coach Josh Lyle likes to play very tough games as mentioned in last week's thoughts. Southfield Arts and Tech might be the favorite in the Gold with the way things are looking right now.

Ferndale University: The Eagles did not play this week but they have a ton of work to do if they want to get their scoring up. The defense has improved despite the two losses. The offense will be the key going forward for Ferndale University.

Berkley: It was a rough week for the Bears which saw two tough losses to American International Academy and Detroit Jalen Rose Academy. It's going to be a rough transition period for Berkley with a young team which is what everyone is seeing at the moment. The Bears have Bloomfield Hills and Madison which are going to be very tough games for them.