Written Wednesday March 11th at 8:48 PM
Here are the shortcomings for current, past, and future OAA members.
This will be updated with the most recent information.
Ferndale University: The Eagles had a very interesting first year under Coach Brian Pinkett. Ferndale University fell 49-21 to Hazel Park in the first round. They lose MaKaila Woodford which is a huge loss. The Eagles have Toni Lee-King, Tamiyah Hill, TaMary Powell, Suhunye Green, Raquel Christian London, Morgan Johnson, Aria Matthews, and Kamiyah Richard coming back for Pinkett. Program strength is a concern and something to watch. Ferndale University should be a team to watch next season.
Oak Park: The Knights were a very young team this season despite falling 53-21 to Southfield Arts and Tech in the first round. Oak Park should be much improved for Coach Tyler Washington who has done a nice job in rebuilding the program. Program strength is a concern for Washington and something to watch heading into next season.
Pontiac: The Phoenix are going to have a ton of questions after forfeiting three fourth's of their season and not making the postseason. There are going to be a ton of questions for Coach Corray Lett's program especially in regards to program strength next season.
Waterford: Waterford had a 500 season in their first year back in the OAA. They also improved on their numbers within the program as well. Waterford fell 73-32 to Avondale in the first round. They lose Peyton Eakin, Morgan Koskinen, Olivia Masternowski, Lala Pastor, Isabell Larson, and Avery Topinka. Waterford has Savannah Sartorius. Sophie Munrow, Samantha Allen, Samantha Wendt, Mia Gower, Kortney Gettig, Chloe Collias, Briella Sartorius coming back for Coach Andrew Wellman. Waterford has program strength coming into the program from their middle schools in Pierce and Mason middle schools. Waterford is building a program to last well into the future. It will be interesting to see what happens next season.
North Farmington: The Raiders saw a ton of success in their final year in the OAA however they were upset 38-32 by Seaholm in the first round. They lose Layla Bohannon, Shylah Tarin, Whalen Kennedy, Melia Goldsmith, Mady Labourdette, and Michelle Yakobe. North Farmington has Lucy Nemith, Serenity Cooper, Myiah Wydendorf, Kennedy Ivory, Julia Nothstine, Hailey Webley, DeAra Head, Darcie Upshaw-Arnold, Ava Parker, and Ari Flecther coming back for Coach Michael Allin. Program strength is a concern for Allin and will be something to watch as the Raiders head to the Lakes Valley Conference this fall.
Farmington: It's been a really interesting year for the Falcons in their final year in the OAA which included a stunning 56-49 loss to Redford Thurston in the first round. They lose Tee McSawby which hurts. Farmington has Sydney Nogas, Sophia Porterfield, Paige Alexander, Kate Martin, Jadan Kuderka, Hannah Miller, Emma Mohr, Grace Lamott, Brittany Perry, Brenna Drake, and Anaya Carter coming back for Coach Natalie Nowak. Program strength is a concern for the Falcons as they head to the Lakes Valley Conference this fall.
Ferndale: The Eagles had a late start to the season but they were competitive despite going winless which included a 48-14 loss to Center Line in the first round. They lose Cassidy Raymore, Kathleen De Villena, and Malinda Young. Ferndale has some proven experience in Willow Warren, Jayma Luckett, Etta Herrick, Angel Jones, Addison Bivens, and Abigail Walls Nevins coming back for Coach April Johnson. Program strength is a concern for Johnson. The Eagles will be a very interesting program to watch this offseason.
Troy: The Colts are in a very interesting spot. They had to survive Royal Oak 43-39 in the district semifinals but fell 50-41 to arch rival Troy Athens in the district finals. Troy lost twice to Southfield Arts and Tech which could hurt down the line but they had some big wins as well. They lose Olivia Sprangler, Carly Higginbottom, Srujana Uppalapati, and Olivia Jasniewicz. The Colts have Maci Zeiter, Eva Mundy, LA Seestedt, Laura Le Moal, Nadia Auger, Olivia Georges, Olivia King, Rachel Zaptka, and Riley Courtney coming back for Coach Laura Guzman. Program strength is a concern and something to watch going forward. Troy will be a very interesting team to watch next season.
Troy Athens: The Red Hawks have had a really good year sharing the Blue with Adams along with winning their first district crown since 2002 but fell 54-33 to New Baltimore Anchor Bay in the regional semifinals. They lose Katrina Tasich, Kate Malone, Jaya Jackson, Erica Obra, and Annalise Lorenz. Troy Athens has Annabelle Beaubien, Ashari Daram, Ella Odgers, Emery Collesano, Gabrielle Bieniek, Haley Fellin, Kaitlyn Piggott, Madi Stencel, and Laityn Dennis coming back for Coach Stacie Klumpp. Program strength looks to be solid for Klumpp and the Red Hawks. Troy Athens is built for the now and also in the long term when it comes to program strength.
Adams: The Highlanders went through a lot this season with a transition period which went into the season and had a solid record and sharing the Blue with Troy Athens. Adams shocked Lake Orion 53-34 in the district semifinals but fell 64-51 to Clarkston in the district finals. They lose Alyssa Stephens, Faith Zoldos, Nora Camaj, Nadia Heppner, Regan Moore, and Raegan Jarrell. Adams has London Guthrie, Lilly Marcial, Charlotte Brawner, Heidi Jackson, and Leah Cox coming back for Coach Justin Howard. Program strength is very concerning and something to watch with Howard. The Highlanders will be a program to watch this summer.
Southfield Arts and Tech: The Warriors had a lot of ups and downs this season which included a 76-56 loss to Detroit Mumford in the district semifinals. They lose Samya Ashford and Kianna Harrison. Southfield Arts and Tech has Gabby Pritchett, Qimara Salter, Daryn Thompson, Daba Samb, Erica Sheridan, Deziree Battle, Alyssa Jones, Khyion Barber, and Paige Adell coming back for Coach and Athletic Director Shaquita Coltrane. Program strength looks solid for Coltrane. The Warriors are a program to watch next season to make a ton of noise.
Harper Woods: The Pioneers had a very interesting season which seen a ton of ups and downs which included a tough 41-36 loss to Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy in the district finals. They lose Laniyah West which is going to be tough. Harper Woods has Ah'Riyah Harris, Jayda Davis, and Kailyn Waller coming back for Coach Latoya Tate. The Pioneers had three programs which helps with program strength. Tate has done a nice job building the program heading into the long term.
Seaholm: It has been a very interesting year for the Maples which saw a ton of ups and downs. Seaholm fell 67-47 to arch rival Groves in the district semifinals. They will be a very interesting team to watch heading into the future. They lose Addy Kitzman, Erin Sheckell, Jada Josifovski, Kate Drouillard, Leah Stanford, and Shea Simpson. The Maples have Sophia Lossia, Lucy Doty, Lois Cortez, Kaitlyn Sinelli, Hazel Guffey, Emma Drouillard, and B Ferris coming back for Coach Chris Manchester. Program strength will be something to watch with Seaholm. The Maples should be improved heading into next season but still they have a ton of questions.
Groves: The Falcons have had a special season no doubt since they started 0-2. Groves was a scoring machine especially early but they won a district crown and is in the regional where they had a tough 80-65 loss to Wayne Memorial in the regional semifinals. They lose Jacey Roy which is going to be a big loss. The Falcons have a lot of proven experience in Harlem Simpson, Sophie Schwanik, Sofia Acuna, Molly Frederiksen, Miah Richert, Mallory Killian, Lily McClendon, Julie Audebeau, Genevieve Meihn, Cece Cardenas, and Charlie Gress coming back for Coach Jessica Duebla. Program strength is a serious concern and will be something to watch especially in two years after Simpson graduates. Groves is built for the now but the future has some serious concerns to watch.
Royal Oak: The Ravens had a very young team that saw trial by fire which included a 43-39 loss to Troy in the district semifinals. They lose Lydia Dickens and Mia Waterstredt. Royal Oak has Vivian Lawrence, Mia Maccani, Kolbie Roelofs, Jane Meinecke, Ella Holman, Dimyah Jackson, Alyssa Rozycki, Allie Hills, Addyson Holman, Ainsley Weeks, and Alice Knoll coming back for Coach Brian Sopota. Program strength will be something to watch heading into next season. It looks like the Ravens are starting to head back to their roots as a defense first program.
Berkley: It has been a challenging year for the Bears which saw a ton of hype surrounding the program. Berkley has struggled with guard play which Coach Clay Shaver needs to address in the offseason. The Bears fell 54-16 loss to Detroit Renaissance in the district semifinals but their future looks bright. They lose Amsatou Diop, Caleigh Tracey, Katelin Sills, Molly McAskin, Olivia Church, and Nadia Watt. Berkley has Naomi Watt, Norah Stahl, Nicqo Shoulders, Maisie Cameron, Maggie McAskin, Alexis Rosenbaum, and Addyson Skipton coming back for Shaver. Program strength looks solid for the Bears. Berkley could be a team to watch in the offseason as there are rumors surrounding Shoulders and what she could do. It's going to be very interesting to see what the Bears do this offseason.
Avondale: The Yellow Jackets were basically pre Jordyn Ratliff and then Jordyn Ratliff when Ratliff came to Auburn Hills from Orchard Lake St. Marys during the season. It's very clear Avondale was a different team with Ratliff on the floor forming a very dangerous trio of Ratliff, Sasha McClendan, and De'Miah Owens-Carter. The point production clearly increased when all three were together. The Yellow Jackets are coming off a tough 77-51 loss to Clarkston in the district semifinals. Avondale has everyone coming back including Owens-Carter, McClendan, and Ratliff along with players to watch in Germani Hall, Anai Carter, among others for Coach Roy Christmon. Program strength particularly among the junior varsity program will be something to watch. The Yellow Jackets with a full season with the trio should be very dangerous heading into next season.
Bloomfield Hills: The Black Hawks have been a pleasant surprise with many experts predicting them to finish last in the White but they finished second behind Groves this season. Bloomfield Hills fell to Groves for the third time falling 61-46 in the district finals. They lose Brianna Brooks, Skylar Astras, and Sophie Laramie. Bloomfield Hills has Elennee Popov, Julianna Socha, Iris Jenney, Olivia Jenney, Lainie Ossipove, Molly Hulstrom, Holiday Lucai Sample, Evia Barbu, Raina James, Liana Le, and London Mason coming back for Coach Renardo Brown. Program strength looks to be solid as well for Brown. The Black Hawks have a ton of experience coming back which always helps. Bloomfield Hills is in a great spot for the now and into the future.
Lake Orion: The Dragons have had a very long season which saw more downs than ups but to their defense Lake Orion played a very tough non conference schedule to go along with the Red which is never easy. Lake Orion took a hard 53-34 loss to Adams in the district semifinals which snapped a streak of four years in the district finals. They lose Dani Heck, Jasmine Randolph, Brooke Armstrong, Elizabeth Crawford, and Audrey Heist. The Dragons have Kara Veeder, Abby Neering, Kelsey King, Addi Wotlinski, Maddie Cloos, and Mary Graves coming back. Scorers will be the key but there are scorers particularity guards that are in the pipeline. Lake Orion could be a force to make some noise in the future when it comes to program strength. The
eighth grade class at the three Lake Orion middle schools (Scripps,
Waldon, and Oakview) have talent and don't have to be rushed right away
and develop. It's going to be very interesting to see what direction the Dragons go next season.
Rochester: The Falcons are in a very interesting spot with some questions. They were near 500 and took out Utica in the first round but they couldn't overcome Utica Eisenhower and fell 70-33 to the Eagles in the district semifinals. They lose Madelyn Hillmer, Stella Marlow, Taylor Parsons which are tough losses. Rochester has Rachel Osterholzer, Kelly Cook, Aria McDonald, Angela Cichowski, Abby Condon, Kaitlyn Tessmer, Abby Mitchell, and Carmen Szakacs coming back for Coach Andy Toppie. Program strength will be something to watch with the Falcons going forward but a player to watch that could make some noise is Immani Morgan. Rochester should be a team to watch this offseason and also next season as well.
Oxford: The Wildcats had a very interesting season. They were around 500 with a very young team that seen a lot of ups and downs. Oxford was shocked 49-28 by Davison in the district finals on their home floor. They lose Teagan O'Connor which is a huge loss. The Wildcats have Kaityln Brockway, Mia Champagne, Sophia Novak, Magdalen Maurer, Chelsea Myrand, Megan Grenillo, Siena Lewis, Jaylen Jacobsen, Jillian Boyd, and Sarah Kopec coming back for Coach Trevor Marshall. Program strength is a serious concern and will be something to watch. Oxford should be solid next season but beyond that looks very murky at the moment.
West Bloomfield: The Lakers have built a program that has seen a ton of long term success which has led to deep postseason runs as well but they were shocked by Lakeland 48-45 in the district semifinals. They lose Sheridan Beal, Tiara Hopkins-Butler, Samiya McPherson, Kaela Hall, Ese Uwedojojevwe, Sydni Shinaul, and Londyn Hall. West Bloomfield has Iyana Davis, Lia Taylor, Kumi Takatsu, Sophia Figueroa, Bailey Finnie and Mackenzie Perkins coming back for Coach Darrin McAllister. Program strength looks solid for McAllister especially the success of their junior varsity program. The Lakers will be a very interesting team to watch this offseason and especially next season.
Clarkston: The Wolves had a very interesting season with a team that only had one senior and everyone being very young. They shared the Red crown with Stoney Creek and won a district crown for the third straight season but fell 74-69 to a very good Utica Eisenhower program in the regional finals. Clarkston has the talent to win now and win in the future with the
development from Clarkston Junior High and Sashabaw Middle School. They lose Elliana Robak but the majority of their team in Brooklyn Covert, Ava Waslik, Bella Flavin among others are coming back. Program strength as mentioned looks solid. Clarkston's eighth grade class went unbeaten this past season and they
have a future talent in Sophie Robbins who could make the jump to
varsity next season to basically replace Robak. The Wolves are
more than capable in the next five years to get to East Lansing which
has been a goal for Coach Aaron Goodnough. Clarkston looks
to be in line to make some noise as mentioned.
Stoney Creek: The Cougars had to overcome a ton of adversity from what had happened at Rochester leading to the coaching change at the end of the season and sharing the Red with Clarkston after an emotional win at West Bloomfield to clinch the share of the Red. Stoney Creek had to survive Romeo 49-45 in the district semifinals but had a tough middle stretch falling 44-34 to Utica Eisenhower in the district finals for the second straight season. They lose Abigail Ivezaj, Izzy Ivezaj, Jadelynn Freeman, and Zara Nigl. Stoney Creek has Calista Ivezaj and Samantha Fulkerson coming back but they are going to have to replace three starters and they will will have a new coach along with a new direction next season. Program strength is very concerning and something to watch for the new coach going forward. The Cougars will be a program to watch next season.
Novi: It was a very tough year for the Wildcats which seen them win four games but they won 68-28 over Walled Lake Western in the first round before falling 62-36 to South Lyon East in the district semifinals. They lose Mya Tass, Gabbie Nawrocki, Kaitlyn Paterni, and Andrea Alejo Garza. Novi has Annabelle Ham, Ella Bubik, Eva Foster, Evelyn Dziadosz, Ifetchi Ezenabo, Mady Rabe, Miriam Fakhoury, Sasha Banks, and Tanya Puram coming back for Coach Zach Hauk. Program strength looks to be solid for the Wildcats. Novi should be much improved next season. The Wildcats have one more year in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association before coming to the OAA next season.
Northville: The Mustangs had an up and down season going through a transition period that had to happen during the season. Northville won 13 games but had a very tough 52-45 loss to South Lyon East in the district finals. They lose Harper Lee, Nicolette Schade, Addison Gubing, and Carly Pelon. The Mustangs have Peyton Silvier, Ella Ross, Allyson Pace, Kathryn Lauster, Sophia Knapp, Iyla Bedi, Naomi Chou, Taylor Chrzanowski, Giuliana Fraas, and Sophia Fraas coming back for legendary Coach Jimmy Reddy who was previously coaching boys basketball at Plymouth Canton before coming to Northville. Program strength looks solid which is a good thing going forward. Northville has one more season in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association before coming into the OAA in two years. The Mustangs should be much improved heading into next season and could make some noise in their final year in the league.
