Girls Soccer District Preview.

Written Sunday May 14th at 11:00 PM

Here is my insight and projections on the girls soccer districts.

District 6 at Clarkston

Flushing vs. Davison

CLARKSTON vs. Swartz Creek

Lapeer vs. OXFORD

Flushing/Davison vs. Grand Blanc

This is a very interesting district. Grand Blanc is the top seed but Clarkston and Oxford will be very tough matchups for the Bobcats. It wouldn’t surprise me if Grand Blanc falls in the district semifinals. I can see either one or two OAA schools in the district finals that is for sure.

 

District 7 at Lakeland

NORTH FARMINGTON vs. Walled Lake Central

Walled Lake Northern vs. Lakeland

Waterford Mott vs. WEST BLOOMFIELD

NORTH FARMINGTON/Walled Lake Central vs. Milford

North Farmington and West Bloomfield will be honoree members of the Lakes Valley Conference in this district. Walled Lake Northern won the Lakes Valley Conference crown this season but Milford is right there with them. West Bloomfield won the Blue and Waterford Mott is not an easy team. This district looks like it could be a Knights vs Mavericks district final which should be tight.

 

District 8 at Novi

FARMINGTON vs. Farmington Hills Mercy

Livonia Stevenson vs. South Lyon East

Northville vs. South Lyon

FARMINGTON/Farmington Hills Mercy vs. Novi

There is a ton of parity in this district especially with well known names like Farmington Hills Mercy, Northville, and Novi but keep an eye on South Lyon East. The Cougars have had a strong season in the Lakes Valley. The Mustangs are ranked high for a reason and will look to keep it that way but the Marlins and Wildcats could spoil that real quickly.

 

District 12 at Grosse Pointe South

Dearborn Fordson vs. Dearborn Heights Crestwood

Dearborn vs. HARPER WOODS

Detroit Western vs. Grosse Pointe South

Dearborn/Dearborn Heights Crestwood vs. Detroit Cass Tech

This is not a strong district but Detroit Cass Tech has the top seed in the district. I think they will have a tough time with Dearborn Heights Crestwood or Dearborn. I think Grosse Pointe South will be too much in this district with home field.

 

District 13 at Royal Oak

BERKLEY vs. GROVES

BLOOMFIELD HILLS vs. SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH

SEAHOLM vs. ROYAL OAK

BERKLEY/GROVES vs. TROY

This is an all OAA district. Troy got a very interesting draw with the winner of Berkley and Groves. Both teams are tough teams. Seaholm and Royal Oak should also be very interesting as well. Note we aren’t talking about the defending Division One State Champs are in here as well and they have a great draw. This is a pick em district that is for sure.

 

District 14 at Utica

LAKE ORION vs. ADAMS

STONEY CREEK vs. Utica Eisenhower

Romeo vs. Utica

LAKE ORION/ADAMS vs. ROCHESTER

This is the group of death district. Every one of these teams has a chance to win this district. Rochester has the best shot to win this district but Stoney Creek could have a strong say pending if they can get by a very good Utica Eisenhower squad. Lake Orion vs Adams is a trap game early. Whoever wins this district has a great chance to make it to East Lansing.

 

District 15 at Troy Athens

TROY ATHENS vs. Sterling Heights

Chippewa Valley vs. Sterling Heights Stevenson

Utica Ford vs. Warren Cousino

Fraser vs. Warren Mott

This should be a very interesting district. Troy Athens is the early favorite with home court and a tough schedule. Chippewa Valley could give some fits though. This district is the Red Hawks to lose.

 

District 24 at Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood

Detroit Renaissance vs. Walled Lake Western

FERNDALE vs. Livonia Clarenceville

Detroit Renaissance/Walled Lake Western vs. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood

FERNDALE/Livonia Clarenceville vs. Birmingham Marian

Birmingham Marian is the favorite and should be for good reason. The Mustangs have a great draw with playing either Ferndale or Livonia Clarenceville in the district semifinals. I think this will be a Cranes vs Mustangs district final with Birmingham Marian moving on.

 

District 26 at Goodrich

AVONDALE vs. Waterford Kettering

Holly vs. Brandon

AVONDALE/ Waterford Kettering vs. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s

Holly/Brandon vs. Goodrich

This is a very interesting district. Goodrich is the favorite with home field and has the best team on paper. Brandon is a sleeper. The Blackhawks can make a ton of noise if things work out well. Avondale is very interesting. The Yellow Jackets have had moments of greatness and struggles. This district is the Martians to lose.

Girls Tennis Regional Preview.

Written Saturday May 13th at 5:20 PM

Here is my projections for Girls Tennis. Underlined is projected regional champion.

Region 4 @ Livonia Churchill

 

FARMINGTON

Dearborn

Dearborn Edsel Ford

Dearborn Fordson

Detroit Cass Tech

Farmington Hills Mercy

Livonia Churchill

Livonia Stevenson

Westland John Glenn

Wayne Memorial

 

TOP THREE THAT MOVES ON: Farmington Hills Mercy, Farmington, Westland John Glenn.

 

Region 5 @ Troy

 

TROY

TROY ATHENS

ROYAL OAK

SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH

Fraser

Sterling Heights Stevenson

St. Clair Shores Lakeview

Utica Ford II

Warren Mott

 

TOP THREE THAT MOVES ON: Troy, Troy Athens, Royal Oak

 

Region 6 @ Utica Eisenhower

 

STONEY CREEK

Utica Eisenhower

Macomb L’Anse Creuse

Chippewa Valley

Macomb Dakota

Macomb L’Anse Creuse North

New Baltimore Anchor Bay

Romeo

Port Huron Northern

Utica

 

TOP THREE THAT MOVES ON: Port Huron Northern, Utica Eisenhower, Stoney Creek

 

Region 7 @ Lakeland

 

CLARKSTON

LAKE ORION

WEST BLOOMFIELD

BLOOMFIELD HILLS

ROCHESTER

ADAMS

Waterford Kettering

Lakeland

 

TOP THREE THAT MOVES ON: Bloomfield Hills, Adams, Clarkston.

 

Region 12 @ North Farmington

 

NORTH FARMINGTON

GROVES

SEAHOLM

AVONDALE

Holly

Fenton

Milford

Walled Lake Central

 

TOP THREE THAT MOVES ON: Seaholm, Groves, Fenton.

 

Region 13 @ Grosse Pointe North

 

BERKLEY

HARPER WOODS

FERNDALE

Grosse Pointe North

Grosse Pointe South

Sterling Heights

Warren Cousino

Warren Woods Tower

 

TOP THREE THAT MOVES ON: Grosse Pointe South, Grosse Pointe North, Berkley.

Track Regional Preview.

Written Saturday May 13th at 12:00 PM

Here is the track regional preview for next weekend. The podcast addition will be on here on Wednesday.

Regional 7 at Grosse Pointe South

 

HARPER WOODS

Grosse Pointe South

Grosse Pointe North

Dearborn Fordson

Detroit Cass Tech

Detroit Martin Luther King

Detroit Western

Hamtramck

River Rouge

Roseville

St. Clair Shores Lakeview

St. Clair Shores Lake Shore

Warren Cousino

Warren DeLaSalle

Warren Mott

Warren Woods Tower

 

BOYS: This should be a very interesting regional. Grosse Pointe South has the distance to win this regional on their home track but Detroit Cass Tech has the sprints. Grosse Pointe North is the sleeper and Warren DeLaSalle is the wildcard. The Blue Devils have more balance and if they can score in the sprint events, they should do very well. The Technicians have the sprints but distance and field events are questions. The Norsemen have balance but will they have enough is the question??? Three teams have a shot to win this regional but Grosse Pointe South has more balance than the prior two teams.

GIRLS: This should be a very interesting regional. Three teams have a great shot to win this regional. Detroit Cass Tech has the sprints and relays but the distance will be the key. Grosse Pointe North and Grosse Pointe South has balance and the distance to make a ton of noise. This regional should come down to the wire between these three schools but the Technicians are the slight favorites.

 

Regional 8 at Detroit Renaissance

 

AVONDALE

BERKLEY

GROVES

SEAHOLM

BLOOMFIELD HILLS

OAK PARK

ROYAL OAK

ROCHESTER

ADAMS

STONEY CREEK

SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH

TROY

Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit

Birmingham Brother Rice

Detroit Mumford

Detroit Renaissance

 

BOYS: This is shaping up to be a very interesting regional. Adams is the early favorite with their balance. Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit should be a player especially in the sprint relays. Detroit Renaissance is the wildcard with their sprints but distance is the question mark as is the Cubs as well. This works out really well for the Highlanders to make some noise in this regional because of their balance as mentioned.

GIRLS: This should be a very interesting regional. Oak Park is the early favorite because of the sprints and relays. Detroit Renaissance is very good in the sprints and relays as well. Rochester has the balance to do very well and they are solid in the distance events. Royal Oak is solid in the throws. The Knights are the favorite with their athletes but it could be tight with the Phoenix and maybe the Falcons.

 

Regional 9 at Milford

 

CLARKSTON

LAKE ORION

OXFORD

FARMINGTON

NORTH FARMINGTON

WEST BLOOMFIELD

Lapeer

Detroit Catholic Central (Boys only)

Farmington Hills Mercy (Girls only)

Milford

Lakeland

Walled Lake Central

Walled Lake Northern

Walled Lake Western

Waterford Kettering

Waterford Mott

 

BOYS: This is shaping up to be a very interesting regional. Milford has a ton of balance coming into this regional but West Bloomfield, Walled Lake Central, and Lake Orion are possible spoilers. The Lakers have the sprint relays to do some damage as does the Dragons but also a pole vault presence. The Vikings have the throws where they can do the most damage. The Mavericks should be the favorite coming into this meet because of home track and balance.

GIRLS: This should be a very interesting regional. Walled Lake Central has a ton of balance in this regional with the field events and they are well positioned to do some damage. West Bloomfield, Farmington, Farmington Hills Mercy, Walled Lake Northern, and Milford are also poised to do very well as well. Oxford could be the wildcard, they have had a very disappointing season but they can make up for it with a very strong regional. Lake Orion could be a possible sleeper. The Vikings should be the favorite because of their balance.

 

Regional 10 at Macomb Dakota

 

TROY ATHENS

Macomb Dakota

Romeo

Chippewa Valley

Utica Eisenhower

Utica

Utica Ford II

Sterling Heights Stevenson

Fraser

Macomb L’Anse Creuse

Macomb L’Anse Creuse North

Sterling Heights

New Baltimore Anchor Bay

Port Huron

Port Huron Northern

 

BOYS: This should be a very interesting meet but two teams really stand out. Chippewa Valley has the sprints and the relays. New Baltimore Anchor Bay has the distance. It could come down to the field events and hurdles between those two teams. Utica is the sleeper because of their field events. It could be very tight between the Big Reds and the Tars that is for sure.

GIRLS: This should be a very interesting meet. Romeo should be the early favorite. The Bulldogs have the distance to do a lot of damage. Can Romeo get just enough points in the sprints and field events will be the question. Troy Athens and Chippewa Valley should score really well in the field events. L’Anse Creuse has a solid sprinting team. If the Bulldogs do well in a few areas, this regional is theirs to take.

 

 Regional 18 at Hazel Park

 

FERNDALE

FERNDALE UNIVERSITY

Hazel Park

Birmingham Marian (Girls only)

Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood

Center Line

Birmingham Detroit Country Day

Detroit Denby

Detroit East English

Eastpointe

Harper Woods Chandler Park

Madison Heights Lamphere

Orchard Lake St. Marys

St. Clair Shores South Lake

Warren Fitzgerald

 

BOYS: This should be a very interesting meet. Birmingham Detroit Country Day, Orchard Lake St. Marys, and Madison Heights Lamphere should have really interesting says. All three schools have balance and are more than capable of winning this regional. It could come down to either the Yellow Jackets or the Eaglets that can win this regional.

GIRLS: This regional looks like it will be a Birmingham Detroit Country Day rout. The Yellow Jackets have an athlete in every event in the top five. If everything holds true then Birmingham Detroit Country Day should be well on their way toward another regional crown.

 

Regional 19 at North Branch

 

PONTIAC

North Branch

Armada

Pontiac Notre Dame Prep

Brandon

Clio

Croswell Lexington

Flint Kearsley

Goodrich

Imlay City

Macomb Lutheran North

Marysville

Marine City

Richmond

St. Clair

Yale

 

BOYS: This should be a very interesting regional. Clio looks to be the early favorite but keep an eye on Yale and St. Clair. All three schools are in the top five coming into this meet. Clio has the distance while Yale has a bit more balance. St. Clair is the wildcard but others like Goodrich or Armada could spoil things. Clio is favored for now because of distance but St. Clair, Goodrich, and Yale are more than capable.

GIRLS: This regional looks to be a three team regional between Goodrich, North Branch, and Croswell Lexington. Yale is the sleeper in this regional. The Martians have more balance which is why they are the early favorite especially in the relays. North Branch has the sprinters while Croswell-Lexington has the field events. This should be a fun meet that is for sure.

MHSAA making some rule changes.

Written Friday May 12th at 2:45 PM

The MHSAA Representative Council made some changes that will occur during the 2023-2024 school year and some of them are big ones.

The Council approved getting rid of the 300 mile rule to play an out of state opponent and can play against anyone in the United States but it must be played in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Minnesota, and Ontario. Any event outside the State must receive approval by the MHSAA and the other State High School Association in order to compete.

The Council also strengthen the undue influence rule which means that coaches or their representatives can not use social media to influence a student athlete that has not enrolled in high school yet. It also prohibits coaches and their representives from visiting prospective student athletes or families in their homes or other locations as well.

Other changes for next season include volleyball using the same MPR format as basketball and soccer. Wrestling will have two additional duel meets which can be added into a duel or quad. In Bowling the postseason will have eight regional sites instead of six and can have two teams and the top seven singles competitions.

There were no changes for girls and boys basketball when it comes to the postseason and there will be no shot clock based on the data that the average time to take a shot was 13.5 seconds in 24 games for the 2023-2024 season.

The Council also approved that the regional titles in baseball can be given out after the State Quarterfinal games. They also approved several cheerleading areas like shortening the season by one week and allow athletes to try out for sideline cheer after their spring sport season. In golf, they allowed an athlete to participate in at least four golf competitions among with others.

Football and volleyball look to be impacted the most by the MHSAA spring meetings. It will be something to watch as we head into the fall.

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

Here is the article from the MHSAA

https://www.mhsaa.com/topics/mhsaa-news/rep-council-adjusts-expands-out-state-competition-opportunities-spring-meeting

Pontiac has a new Boys Basketball Coach.

Written Thursday April 27th at 7:00 PM

The Pontiac Phoenix will have a new boys basketball coach this winter.

The Phoenix named Andrew Myers their new head coach. He replaces Dameon O'Neil whom stepped down recently.

"God is the greatest, I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreacation to Craig Covington, Kelley Williams, and Lee Montgomery and the entire Pontiac School Board for allowing me to become the next basketball coach at Pontiac High School. The opportunity to lead our student athletes not only on the basketball court but in the game of life means a great deal, thank you. I look forward to representing the city and putting out a product that we can be proud off" Myers said on Twitter.

Myers was an assistant under O'Neil last season. Program strength will be key for the Phoenix. They went 3-19 falling 65-48 to Waterford Kettering in the first round.

"To the student athletes, thank you for allowing me to be in your life. I'm thrilled at the chance to learn from you, to watch you grow from one another, and to build relationships that will last a lifetime. Though change can be uncomfortable, we will tackle this together on the court and in the classroom, Lets get to work" Myers added.

Myers played at Clarkston for Coach Dan Fife. He has been an assistant at many places but this will be his first varsity job as head coach. "To Oakland Fieldhouse, Dan Fife, Todd Covert, and Jermaine Jackson thank you for the support and guidance throughout my basketball journey. You provided me with amazing opportunities that I will use as the base for all my future careers. I appreciate the preparation you have all provided me and wouldn't be here without you, thank you" Myers concluded in his tweet.

Myers will have a very difficult task ahead in turning the Phoenix around. They will have a new gym at Sy Green Gym next season after playing at Pontiac Kennedy while their gym was being renovated. Program strength as mentioned is a huge concern for Pontiac. They will be in a very tough division in the Blue with Oxford, Avondale, Rochester, Stoney Creek, Berkley, Ferndale University, and Royal Oak next season.

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

Myers Tweet

https://twitter.com/ddgrant33/status/1651616881059545091/photo/1

Thomas back at Avondale.

Written Tuesday April 25th at 8:00 PM

A week and a podcast later, Jaret Thomas is back coaching boys basketball.

Thomas was named the new Boys Basketball Coach at Avondale creating shock waves around the OAA.

Thomas returned to his roots. He was an assistant under Coach Tim Morton and the junior varsity coach with the Yellow Jackets. Thomas was also the head coach at Auburn Hills Oakland Christian before coming to Avondale.

Avondale was 10-12 last season under then coaches Pat Clancy and Aaron Fox and is in the Blue this season. They have Justin Sykes, D.J. Moody, Dequarius White, and Anthony Burton coming back. "I think coaching at Avondale will give me the best opportunity to maximize my impact both on and off the floor" Thomas said to MIPrepZone's Scott Burnstein.

Thomas went 59-37 in his four years at Adams which included two district championships and their first regional crown in school history. He was named BCAM (Basketball Coaches Association, Michigan) Coach of the Year this past season

Thomas move to Avondale has baffled many experts even myself. "This decision isn't a reflection how I view Adams or feel about my time because these last four years was a wonderful experience all the way around, I think of those guys in my first season and went to work and set the standard of expectations. I loved my players, I loved the people at Adams. I can't even begin to explain how much pride I take in to what we accomplished together" Thomas added to Burnstein.

He sees some comparisons to the Highlanders with the Yellow Jackets. "It's a new challenge, just like at Adams, I want to build a program on principles of character, discipline, and hard work. There's a lot of ingredients to take things to a whole other level, the kind of level Coach Morton took this program to. That's the goal. He's my mentor and I hope our teams will remind people around here of his best teams. We'll play 84 feet, we'll be relentless" Thomas concluded to Burnstein.

Avondale is in a very interesting situation in the Blue. They have Pontiac, Berkley, Oxford, Stoney Creek, Rochester, Royal Oak, and Ferndale University in the division.

It's a coaching upgrade for the Yellow Jackets but several questions remain. He will have to fix their sub varsities.

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

Here is the article confirming the move.

https://www.theoaklandpress.com/2023/04/25/prep-notebook-jaret-thomas-jumps-back-to-avondale-to-take-over-jackets-boys-hoops-program/

Thomas Leaves Legacy at Adams.

Written Friday April 21st at 4:35 PM

This was a move that no one saw coming.

Adams Boys Basketball Coach Jaret Thomas is stepping down from the program. Thomas led the Highlanders to their first regional championship and two district crowns in his four years at Adams.

"Adams Highlanders, I have to thank you for an incredible four years and the privilege of being your boys basketball coach. Together we were able to build a championship program and we did it our way, character, hard work, choosing to do the hard things, and always putting the team first. Special Thank you to my former and current players for your effort, dedication, and commitment. I am so proud to have been your coach and forever we are bonded by our relationships and time spent together. Also I would like to thank the administration and leadership who believed in me and supported me every step of the way. Adams will hold a special place in my heart and I leave here full of gratitude and love for so many. Go Highlanders." Thomas said in a tweet on Twitter.

Thomas went 59-37 in his four years at Adams. He has rebuilt the Highlanders program especially the lower levels and that success has translated into the varsity program.

Whoever the new coach is will have Peter Kardsais, William Gee, Trenton Lagarde, Chan Yang, Gavin Farris, Luke Marcial, Jake Andrzejak, Aaron Troxell, coming back along with maybe Brady Prieskorn. 

Adams should be a force in the Red next season whether Prieskorn plays or not.

It will be very interesting to see what happens with the Highlanders this offseason.

Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest on this developing story. I will have my thoughts on Monday's podcast.

Here is the Tweet from Thomas.

https://twitter.com/_JaretThomas/status/1649498354068475930

My Podcast

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYRu99kFvbs