Top Five OAA Games This Week.

Written Sunday January 23rd at 4:00 PM

Since there is no podcast this week. Here are my top five matchups to look forward too for the week.

Girls

Harper Woods at Seaholm (Tuesday):

This is a huge matchup which gives the winner the leg up in the Blue. The Pioneers are unbeaten but they haven’t been as tested as the Maples have. Harper Woods’s closest game was eight points in a 48-40 win over Farmington. Seaholm's record has been very respectable. They have has played a very tough non conference in Troy Athens, Berkley, Royal Oak, and Macomb Dakota. If the Maples want to win this game they need to use their experience which starts with Shay Manchester. The Pioneers have played very well and have a ton of experience but this will be a test for Coach Paul Allen. They have not been into Oakland County and Seaholm is a pretty long hike. It should be a very interesting game to say the least.

Rochester at Lake Orion (Tuesday):

This is a huge matchup which the winner gets the leg up in the White. Both teams have been red hot lately. The Falcons have had a really good start led by their two twin towers in Alice Max and Kiley Robinson. The Dragons have a ton of experience with Maddie Ebbert, Kylie Heck, Chloe Wiegers, Taylor Dinda, Olivia Peplowski, Grace Sullivan, and Audrey Wischmeyer. The coaching matchup is very interesting between Bob Brydges and Bill Thurston. This should be a very interesting matchup to say the least.

Ferndale University at Avondale (Tuesday):

This is shaping up to be a very interesting matchup in Auburn Hills. It seems lately that the Eagles have had the Yellow Jackets number particularly in Auburn Hills. Ferndale University beat Avondale 43-35 last season in girls basketball and in boys basketball it was the Eagles that beat the Yellow Jackets 40-32 last week in Auburn Hills. Ferndale University has lost two of their last three games after a 4-0 start. Avondale has won two straight and have started to turn things around. The Eagles have been the Yellow Jackets kryptonite, can the avenge it is the question.

Oxford at Adams (Tuesday):

This is a very interesting matchup of two teams that have star players in Myranda Wymenkio of Oxford and Maddie Kessman and Abbey Drahnak of Adams. The Highlanders have won two straight in large part to Kessman and Drahnak but Anaya Howard is the wildcard in this game. The Wildcats took a huge hit with Peyton Ritcher out for the season with an ACL injury. Oxford’s stellar freshmen of Allison Hufstedler, Nevaeh Wood, and Sophia Rabb have been playing really well despite losing two straight games. It should be a fun coaching matchup between Rachel Bryer and Joe Malburg. It should be very interesting to say the least as mentioned.

Rochester at North Farmington (Friday):

This is a rematch of a 42-40 Rochester victory on December 21st on their home floor. Since that game these two teams have gone in opposite directions. The Falcons have won five straight games while the Raiders have been around 500 (3-3) since that game. I’m really curious how Rochester handles North Farmington’s small court. The guard matchup favors the Raiders with Sela Lefler and Penelope Creary but the interior matchup favors the Falcons with Alice Max and Kiley Robinson. It’s an interesting matchup to say the least.

Boys

Adams at Clarkston (Friday):

This is rematch of the district finals which the Wolves beat the Highlanders last season. There is a ton of star power on both of these teams. Adams has Gunner Walters, Jon Urusy, Brady Prieskorn, Peter Karsiais, and Justice Mims. Clarkston has Keegan Wasilk, Nate Steinman, Zach Austin, Cavanagh Diton, Brady Kosin, and Desman Stephens. The Highlanders are 2-3 in January which is not good. The Wolves have won four straight since losing to North Farmington. The coaching matchup is also interesting with Jaret Thomas and Tim Wasilk. Things favor Clarkston but never ever count Adams out.

Rochester at Berkley (Thursday):

The Falcons are off to a great start in the Blue after winning over Troy Athens. Berkley looks to be one of Rochester’s toughest challengers in the Blue along with Oxford. The Bears are a very young team but they have some experience. Rochester has a ton of experience led by Armann Hussani and Matt Stone. The coaching matchup between Nick Evola and Joe Sermo is going to be very interesting. Going to Berkley is always very deceiving and especially if CMN TV is there. It should be a very interesting matchup on Thursday night.

Troy at Bloomfield Hills (Monday):

This is shaping up to be a very interesting matchup between in Bloomfield Hills. Troy features Darius and Jon Whiteside for Coach Gary Fralick. Bloomfield Hills is loaded with proven experience in Noah Adamcyzk, Carson Brotsky, Derrick Lee, CJ Jackson, among others. The Blackhawks have won four straight games. The Colts have been around 500 (2-2) in January. It should be a very interesting matchup to see especially with White play underway.

Pontiac at Ferndale University (Thursday):

The Phoenix earned a huge win on Friday by beating Harper Woods 56-53 on the road. They head to Ferndale to take on a Ferndale University squad that has really turned things around. The coaching matchup is very interesting between Dameon O’Neil and Josh Nicks. Can the Eagles contain Davion Hall??? If they do they have a great chance to make some noise in the Gold.

Bloomfield Hills at Groves (Friday):

This is a huge game for the Falcons to see if they belong in the White discussion. Groves has won five straight and is 4-0 in January. Bloomfield Hills has played really good basketball. The coaching matchup is very interesting between Benny White and Phil Kurajian. This is shaping up to be a very interesting game on Friday night in Beverly Hills.

Basketball Top 23.

Written Friday January 21st at 11:30 PM

Here is the rankings for the week. Enjoy.

Girls

1. West Bloomfield (10-1): Lakers have a machine brewing.

2. Clarkston (7-4): Izzy Hadley is going to be the key for the Wolves moving forward.

3. Stoney Creek (7-4): Shout out to Merrick Schwalbach for her first varsity basket on Wednesday.

4. Lake Orion (11-1): When Maddie Ebbert goes beast mode look out.

5. Rochester (8-2): Alice Max and Kiely Robinson have really been special to watch all season long.

6. Oxford (3-4): Allison Huffsteder has really been a nice addition for Coach Rachel Bryer.

7. Harper Woods (10-0): Pioneers lack of competition has been very concerning. January 25^th that should change.

8. Berkley (4-5): Nolan Maeve has had a breakout year helping out Ashley Loon.

9. Seaholm (7-3): Maples have slipped a little bit but they are in great shape heading into their huge showdown with Harper Woods.

10. North Farmington (6-6): When Sela Lefler struggles the Raiders struggle. Last two games have proven that theory.

11. Adams (4-4): Abbey Drahnak and Madison Kessman has been playing really well for Coach Joe Malburg.

12. Farmington (5-5): Falcons have seemed to turn things around a little bit.

13. Troy Athens (4-8): Red Hawks are 1-4 in January, that’s not good.

14. Groves (6-5): Falcons are 1-3 in January, that’s not good.

15. Troy (4-8): Colts really struggling right now.

16. Southfield Arts and Tech (5-8): Warriors have been a really hard team to figure out.

17. Ferndale University (5-2): Eagles have been a really hard team to figure out.

18. Avondale (3-6): Got two much needed wins for Coach Roy Christmon and company.

19. Bloomfield Hills (3-6): Blackhawks had a big win over Ecorse then COVID struck.

20. Royal Oak (2-8): Ravens have been scoring but it was really odd seeing them allow 49 on Friday.

21. Pontiac (1-6): Phoenix have been struggling a little bit.

22. Oak Park (1-5): Knights just off COVID protocol still have the same issues that plagued them.

23. Ferndale (0-9): Eagles really struggling especially on the defensive side of the ball.

 

 

Boys

1. Ferndale (7-2): Chris Williams is the X Factor to Justin Drake and Treyvon Lewis for the Eagles.

2. North Farmington (10-2): Ryan Hurst really carrying the load for the Raiders.

3. Clarkston (8-2): Clarkston is Clarkston, enough said.

4. Bloomfield Hills (8-2): Carson Brotzky has really emerged as a shot blocker.

5. Rochester (7-1): Falcons continuing to impress. The front runners of the Blue.

6. Oak Park (6-3): Knights will be fine, no need to panic.

7. Adams (5-5): Gunner Walters is the greatest mystery ever.

8. Lake Orion (7-4): Malachi Grandberry is the X factor, enough said.

9. Groves (6-2): Falcons are 4-0 in January heading into league play.

10. Oxford (4-5): Bryce Essman has been a beast in the post for the Wildcats.

11. Royal Oak (5-4): Ravens are the best team in the Gold right now.

12. Troy Athens (4-4): Red Hawks will be fine despite the loss to Rochester.

13. Stoney Creek (5-6): Cougars struggle in spurts. They got to fix that.

14. Berkley (6-3): Bears are starting to turn things around a little bit.

15. Troy (5-5): Colts are a classic Jekyll and Hyde.

16. Ferndale University (3-5): Coach Josh Nicks has done a wonderful job with the Eagles.

17. Avondale (3-7): Yellow Jackets haven’t been the same since beating Troy.

18. Southfield Arts and Tech (3-8): Warriors lost a tough one but should be fine.

19. West Bloomfield (2-8): Can the Lakers beat anyone in the Red other than Farmington???

20. Pontiac (1-3): Great league win at Harper Woods.

21. Harper Woods (2-8): Pioneers not adjusting to the OAA well.

22. Seaholm (2-8): Maples are very competitive.

23. Farmington (2-8): Falcons might not be equipped to be in the Red.

Boys Basketball Top 23.

Written Saturday January 15th at 11:05 PM

Here is my top 23 boys basketball rankings from this week.

1. North Farmington (9-1): Ryan Hurst has been a scoring machine.

2. Ferndale (5-2): Eagles gearing up for a big one on Tuesday at 13 Mile and Farmington Road.

3. Clarkston (6-2): Keegan Waslik and Nate Steinman have been good as advertised.

4. Bloomfield Hills (7-2): Noah Adamcyzk has been good as advertised.

5. Rochester (6-1): Aarmund Hussani is that Robin to Matt Stone’s Batman for the Falcons.

6. Oak Park (6-2): Ashton Henderson has been as good as advertised.

7. Adams (4-4): Highlanders are experiencing what life in the Red is.

8. Troy Athens (4-3): Red Hawks have went through COVID issues but they had a long break to heal up.

9. Lake Orion (5-4): Dragons are 4-1 under Coach Jose Andreadas.

10. Oxford (3-4): Bryce Essman had a big game for the Wildcats against Livonia Clarenceville.

11. Groves (5-2): Falcons seem to be figuring some things out.

12. Stoney Creek (5-4): Evan Taris has been the Cougars best player lately.

13. Royal Oak (4-4): Jessie Hosington has been very consistent for the Ravens.

14. Berkley (5-3): Bears overcame a 22 point deficit to win. Could it turn their season around???

15. Avondale (3-5): Yellow Jackets snapped a two game losing streak in a big way by beating Troy.

16. Troy (4-5): Colts have been a really hard team to figure out lately.

17. Ferndale University (2-4): Eagles despite record have been playing really well lately.

18. Southfield Arts and Tech (3-7): Warriors have allowed over 60 points in the last two games, not good.

19. West Bloomfield (2-7): Lakers have lost four straight games, that’s a concern.

20. Harper Woods (2-6): Welcome to the OAA Pioneers.

21. Pontiac (0-2): Davieon Hall can do it all whether it’s on the basketball court and on the grid iron.

22. Seaholm (2-7): Maples won a low scoring game over Madison Heights Bishop Foley on Saturday.

23. Farmington (2-6): Falcons really struggling right now.