West Bloomfield Adds Two, Maybe Three transfers. Could have impact on the Dragons.

Written Tuesday June 24th, at 2:15 PM

After the end of Boys Basketball season in 2014, there was possible rumblings out of Detroit U-D Jesuit that three of its top players from their 2014 Final Four team could be on the way out of U-D Jesuit.

However problems arose when there was a court battle and also uncertainty arose as businessman Ron Thomas enrolled his two 6.9 Nigerian kids Eke Donatus Ikechukwu II and Greg Eboigbodin are now at West Bloomfield while Thomas own son Billy also transferred out of U-D Jesuit and will play in Virginia according to two sources but there are rumors that he could be a Laker as well.

This is a huge coup for West Bloomfield coach Jeremy Dehna in getting these two 6.9 Nigerian players especially that his team struggled last season in the tough White division. This season West Bloomfield will play in the Blue but that could be subject to change despite the schedule is already out.

The exit from U-D Jesuit was a messy one for the Thomas family.

Both Eboigbodin and Ikechukwu were expected to play for U-D Jesuit last season but were ruled ineligible by the MHSAA because they learned that the two players that Thomas brought in from Nigeria to the United States were solely there just to play Basketball.

Thomas lives in the West Bloomfield area and his boys are expected to be eligible immediately at West Bloomfield.

U-D Jesuit claimed that Thomas wasn’t the legal guardian of the two boys and there was a court battle over this but the claim was thrown out in Oakland County Family court last week. There is a hearing set in July related to one of the two boy’s case.

Questions Loom:

There are questions though that remains here with the addition of the two (maybe three) transfers. It is possible that West Bloomfield could try to move up a division from the Blue to the White for the season.

West Bloomfield hasn’t won a district title in a while and would be an overwhelming favorite if they stayed in the Blue and compete with Oxford, Stoney Creek, Seaholm, Groves, and Avondale but if they move up to the White then they would have to deal with teams like Oak Park, Troy Athens, Troy, Lake Orion, and Pontiac.

Another question all though a long shot is that the MHSAA could force the two to sit out another year because of the transfer but since Thomas is the legal guardian and lives in West Bloomfield that doesn’t seem likely.

Both big guys will give a huge post presence to the Lakers especially when you can move senior Anton Lukaj to the small forward and move junior Tristian Jackson to the shooting guard and point guard spot and also bring junior guard Michael King off the bench. West Bloomfield will be a dangerous team this season but the district will be tricky especially with Orchard Lake St. Marys and Walled Lake Western in it as well at Walled Lake Northern.

Also what stands out here is that West Bloomfield had a good Junior Varsity team last season that finished 19-1 and that most of their kids might not get an opportunity with the addition of these two (maybe three players) to play on the varsity level but that will be up to Lakers coach Jeremy Dehna and his staff to figure out.

Personal Thoughts:

Personally I think that these two transfers will play this season and that they have gone through enough grief and stress and also the elder Thomas as well. I think these two players will be given a fresh start.

With the schedules out in the league it would be interesting if West Bloomfield moves up to the White, it could be another James Young situation when it involved Troy and Rochester, the Colts stayed in the Red despite losing Young and Rochester won it’s first district title and was in  the White that season (went to the state quarterfinals.) Even with this situation still unfolding I think staying in the Blue maybe the Lakers best option right now for not only a league championship but a chance to gel as a team.

The Dragons Den will keep updates when more of this story unfolds.

Districts-Regionals out and Thoughts.

Written Tuesday June 17th, at 2:40 PM

District 21:

Detroit Cody

Detroit Mumford

Detroit Renaissance

Detroit U-D Jesuit (Boys)

Farmington Hills Mercy (Girls)

Southfield

Farmington

Volleyball: @ Detroit Renaissance When looking at this district remember that Farmington Hills Mercy is in here and they are still going to be very good. Farmington maybe the Marlins toughest challenger here in this district. This district is Mercy’s to lose.

Girls Basketball: @ Detroit Renaissance The Marlins lost a lot of talent from last season but can reload. Farmington has the guards in Maddy Tresvian, Mya Douse, and Arami Echols to win this district. The favorite here is Detroit Renaissance because of talent and they are the hosts but don’t count out Farmington Hills Mercy or Farmington in that matter. This district is a three team race.

Boys Basketball: @ Detroit Renaissance Detroit U-D Jesuit went to the State Semifinals before losing to Bloomfield Hills last season. This team is still going to be very good and the Cubs could very well be the best team in the Catholic League again. Detroit Renaissance is the host team and got a transfer from Orchard Lake St. Mary's. Southfield and Farmington could be players as well but right now this district is a two team race.

District 23:

Hazel Park

Sterling Heights

Warren Cousino

Warren Mott

Warren Woods Tower

Volleyball: @ Warren Mott Hazel Park and Warren Woods Tower move up from Class B. Hazel Park won two district titles but the problem is this is Class A and the competition is so much tougher up here than Class B also they lost a lot of talent from last season. The Patriots of Warren Cousino is an early favorite here but don’t count out Warren Mott.

Girls Basketball: @ Warren Mott This is a bad district because some of these teams will struggle in this side of the mix but when it comes to favorites in girls basketball. Warren Cousino is the best team in this district and should overwhelm the competition here.

Boys Basketball: @ Warren Woods Tower This district is interesting because Warren Cousino and Warren Mott will battle it out for the crown but don’t count out Warren Woods Tower either. It looks like Macomb County and the battle of Warren would be too much for the other teams in this district.

District 24:

Groves

Berkley

Royal Oak

Oak Park

Southfield Lathrup

Volleyball: @ Groves This district is a four team race between Groves, Berkley, Oak Park, and Royal Oak. All four teams will be very good but Falcons and Bears are in a higher division (White) than the Knights and Ravens (Blue). However Groves did lose a lot of talent last season. Royal Oak, Oak Park, and Berkley return key players and will be dangerous to Groves reign as defending District Champs.

Girls Basketball: @ Royal Oak This is an interesting district, Lathrup is an overwhelming favorite but you can’t count out Royal Oak, Berkley, and Oak Park. All three of these teams have returning players from a season ago. Royal Oak and Oak Park will be threats in the Blue while Berkley could challenge Troy Athens for the Gold but in the end, Lathrup has the Bello Twins and has the best coach in this district in Michelle Jackson-Marshall.

Boys Basketball: @ Royal Oak The Knights are loaded again and overwhelming favorite again. They have the big men in Rodney Scales and Kevon Fuller to run away with this district but guard play is a question. Groves could threaten but it's not likely, Oak Park and Groves when it comes to Basketball programs are in two different worlds. This district is Oak Park’s to lose.

District 25:

Birmingham Seaholm
Birmingham Brother Rice (Boys)

Birmingham Marian (Girls)

Bloomfield Hills

Harrison

North Farmington

Volleyball: @ Marian When you look at Birmingham Marian, they are the favorite here because of experience and add the fact that they host the district but don’t count out Birmingham Seaholm or Bloomfield Hills here. Seaholm especially could give the Mustangs problems in this district because of the experience they have back. North Farmington and Harrison could have issues here but this district is a three team race with the Blackhawks, Mustangs, and Maples.

Girls Basketball: @ Marian This district is Birmingham Marian’s to lose but this could be a very tough district. Harrison will be very good with it’s big three (Kyla Roland, Kristen Nelson, Amber Stephans), North Farmington has a good team and one of the best coaches and defenses in this district, Seaholm has three very good players (Makenzie Harbott, Kate Owens, and Patty Girardot), Bloomfield Hills is still going to be very good led by their backcourt, Katerine Prinna and Amanda Moss. So pretty much this will be a tough district maybe the toughest in the state but the Mustangs are favored because of experience and lets not forget they are the defending state champions.

Boys Basketball: @ ???? North Farmington is going to be dangerous here in this district, they return two very good players and one is name Jerome Rogers. Bloomfield Hills is the next best team and have state finals experience but this district is the Raiders to lose.

District 26:

Walled Lake Northern

Walled Lake Central

Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (Boys)

Walled Lake Western

West Bloomfield

White Lake Lakeland

Volleyball: @ Walled Lake Northern: This is an interesting district Lakeland is the favorite here because of their experience and should do well this season again in moving on in this district. The other teams could struggle here in this district but Walled Lake Northern could have a say here.

Girls Basketball @ Walled Lake Northern: This district is as even as I can think of and last season the Lakers and Eagles went overtime to settle the district. Lakeland is the early favorite but don’t count out West Bloomfield because of their guards (Dazia Dinkins, and Rachel Harnish.) Walled Lake Western could be a factor but in the end it will come down to Lakeland and West Bloomfield here.

Boys Basketball @ Walled Lake Northern: Walled Lake Western has a new coach here but a talented team coming back. Orchard Lake St Mary's have a good crew back and is considered to be the dark horse but the favorite is West Bloomfield. The Lakers has the best player in this district in Tristian Jackson. Walled Lake Central is another dark horse here as well but this district looks to be a four team race between Walled Lake Western, Walled Lake Central, West Bloomfield, and Orchard Lake St. Marys.

District 31:

Avondale

Pontiac

Troy

Troy Athens

Waterford Kettering

Waterford Mott

Volleyball: @ Troy: When I look at this one I can see a three team race. The host Colts will be a factor with returning 13 starters from a team that struggled a season ago and then I look at Avondale, The Yellow Jackets return a lot of talent from a team that lost a tough district final to Troy Athens last season. Troy Athens is a dark horse and has some experience coming back. Waterford Kettering could play spoiler but this looks like to be a three team district.

Girls Basketball @ Waterford Kettering: This district is interesting as well. Waterford Kettering reloads and is the favorite early and hosts this district. Troy and Avondale could have a say if the Captains repeat the district. Waterford Mott is rebuilding a bit and Pontiac is in trouble here. It’s a three team race here but Waterford Kettering is the favorite here because of experience and they host the district.

Boys Basketball @ Troy Athens: This district is interesting, the favorite is Troy Athens because of experience and they are the two time district champs also add that they host this district. Troy could be a huge factor as well. Also don’t count out Waterford Mott and Pontiac. The Corsairs added two transfers from Waterford Kettering and Pontiac is always a traditional basketball power. Avondale could have a say but it looks like the district could go through the city of Troy again.

District 32:

Clarkston

Orion

Oxford

Rochester Adams

Rochester

Stoney Creek

Volleyball: @ Orion: This is clearly a two team race between the Wolves and Dragons. Clarkston has won five of six against Orion and will be very good again. Orion has had some consistency issues as well. The winner of this district will have to go through Romeo and have a good shot of getting to the state quarterfinals.

Girls Basketball: @ Orion: Each team has an individual star in this district but also whose role players step up will win this district. Oxford has a lot of experience back and will be senior heavy, (Jessica Murphy, Cheryln Bandis, Skye Donaldson, and Grace Wysocki) but so does Adams (Raiven Owusu, Amber Jamison, Olivia Aregros), Stoney Creek (Courtney Solek, Maria Zandi), and Orion (Hannah Hamay, Delaney Haan, Evelyn Wischmeyer). Clarkston meanwhile has the district’s best player in Erica Davenport along with newcomer Molly Nicholson . This could be an interesting district to watch and see.

Boys Basketball: @ Clarkston: When I see this district, it’s wide open. Clarkston returns some key players and hosts this district. Oxford is improved and will be talented. Rochester Adams lost some key players but has a good player back. Stoney Creek is a hard working team. Orion is always there with talent. I can see five teams possibly winning this district.

Class B: District 42:

Ferndale

Detroit Central

Detroit Old Redford
Detroit Collegiate Prep at Northwestern (Basketball)

Detroit Henry Ford Academy

Warren Fitzgerald

Volleyball: @ Warren Fitzgerald: The favorite in this district looks to be the host Warren Fitzgerald. With no Hazel Park in this district this seems to be wide open here. Ferndale returns some key parts to it's team and could play a huge factor in this district.

Girls Basketball: @ Detroit Collegiate Prep at Northwestern: When looking at this district the favorite here is Ferndale but they will be weaker those with the loss of their two star players to graduation but the Eagles will find someway to win this district. Also keep an eye on Detroit Collegiate Prep at Northwestern, they host and could be a darkhorse.

Boys Basketball: @ Detroit Collegiate Prep at Northwestern: When looking here in this district, Detroit Henry Ford Academy can do well here but any Detroit school can do well here, even Ferndale can as well. This is clearly a wide open district here.

Regional:

Troy Athens (Volleyball), Sterling Heights Stevenson (Girls Basketball), Troy (Boys Basketball):

District 32 (Lake Orion District) vs. District 31 (Troy District)

District 30 (Sterling Heights Stevenson District- Romeo, Utica Eisenhower, Utica Ford, Sterling Heights Stevenson, Utica) vs. District 29 (Anchor Bay District- Anchor Bay, Macomb Dakota, Macomb L’Anse Creuse North, Port Huron, Port Huron Northern)

West Bloomfield (Volleyball), Ortonville Brandon (Girls Basketball), ??? (Boys Basketball):

District 26 (Walled Lake Northern District) vs. District 27 (Hartland District- Hartland, Howell, Brighton, Milford, South Lyon)

District 18 (Novi District- Novi, Novi Detroit Cathoic Central (Boys), Northville, Plymouth, Plymouth Canton, Plymouth Salem) vs. District 8 (Linden District- Linden, Fenton, Ortonville Brandon, Grand Blanc, Holly)

Birmingham Marian (Volleyball), Southfield (Girls and Boys Basketball):

District 25 (Birmingham Marian District) vs. District 24 (Beverly Hills Wylie E Groves District)

District 21 (Detroit Renaissance District) vs. District 19 (???- Garden City, Livonia Churchill, Livonia Franklin, Livonia Stevenson, Redford Thruston)

Fraser (Volleyball), Grosse Pointe South (Girls Basketball), Sterling Heights (Boys Basketball):

District 23 (Warren Mott District) vs. District 28 L’Anse Creuse District- L’Anse Creuse, Chippewa Valley, Fraser, St. Clair Shores Lakeshore, St Clair Shores Lakeview, Roseville)

District 22 (Grosse Pointe North District-Detroit East English Village Prep, Detroit Southeastern, East Detroit, Grosse Pointe North, Grosse Pointe South) vs. District 20 (Hamtramck District- Detroit International Academy, Detroit Cass Tech, Detroit Martin Luther King, Detroit Pershing, Detroit Western)

Class B-Livonia Clarenceville (Volleyball), Dearborn Heights Divine Child (Girls Basketball, Dearborn Heights Robichaud (Boys Basketball) 

* Detroit Collegiate Prep at Northwestern is in District 41 for Volleyball is in District 42 for Girls and Boys Basketball.

District 42 (Warren Fitzgearld District) vs. District 45 (Livonia Clarenceville District- Livonia Clarenceville, Detroit Community, Detroit Communication of Media Arts, Detroit Henry Ford, Detroit Redford Union, Southfield Bradford Academy, Livonia Ladywood)

District 41 (Detroit Collegiate Prep at Northwestern District*- Dearborn Advanced Technology Academy, Detroit Collegiate Prep at Northwestern *,  Detroit University Prep, Detroit Ceaser Chavez, Detroit Consortium vs. District 40 (Dearborn Divine Child District- Dearborn Heights Annapolis, Dearborn Heights Robichaud, Dearborn Henry Ford Academy, Dearborn Divine Child, Melvindale, River Rouge)

Dragons Update-Softball loses tough game, Track takes 12th in state, District possiblities in 2014-2015.

Written Sunday June 8th, at 6:10 PM

Softball wins first game, loses second game.

The sixth ranked Lake Orion softball team survived Troy in the regional semifinals 5-4 on Saturday at Hartland. The Dragons started off the game down 2-0 but managed to tie the score 2-2 in the bottom of the fourth inning. Lake Orion shut the Colts down in the top half of the fifth inning only to score three runs in the bottom half, which did include a two run home run by Kayla Knoblock. The Dragons had a 5-2 lead headed into the top of the seventh inning, the Colts made their move scoring two runs and had runners in scoring position with out on first and third but the Lake Orion defense found a way to get out of that predicament and move onto the regional finals.

The Dragons entered the regional finals against Romeo, whom was ranked second in the state and had Central Michigan recruit and all state pitcher Taylor Weaver. It was a highly anticipated match up as the Dragons vaunted offense took on the state’s best pitcher in the Bulldogs Weaver. Romeo however would use Weaver’s dominance on the mound and eliminate Lake Orion 5-1. The Dragons concluded their season losing this tough game to the Bulldogs.

Track takes twelfth in State.

The Lake Orion boys track team took twelfth in the state last Saturday at Rockford. Last season the team took third place in the state. The Dragons lose a lot of talent next season but they will still be a good team and the middle school class is good as well coming up as freshmen. This senior class was one of the best classes in track history, winning a State Championship in 2012 and the Red three of the four seasons, along with two Oakland County titles, and two regional titles.

District possibilities for Volleyball and Basketball for 2014-2015.

When looking at the district next season, hearing rumors it could be possible that the upcoming volleyball districts when they are released in a few weeks. One possibility is that the districts could stay the same like 2013-2014 with Lake Orion, Clarkston, Oxford, Rochester, Rochester Adams, and Rochester Stoney Creek. Another option is moving Lapeer south into Oakland County with the merging of both Lapeer East and Lapeer West but you have to take someone out like a possibility would be move Clarkston northwest toward Northwest Oakland County and far southeastern Genesee County (Holly, Ortonville Brandon, Fenton, Swartz Creek, Grand Blanc.) Another possibility could also bring back the old district from 2008 where Lapeer, Lake Orion, Oxford, Clarkston, Waterford Kettering, and Waterford Mott. Another could bring Romeo into the district but it doesn’t seem likely. We’ll see what happens in a few weeks when the districts are released. Once they are then the Dragons Den will analyze them especially for volleyball and both girls and boys basketball because the volleyball districts are the basketball districts as well.

We’ll keep an eye once the districts are released. GO GREEN.

Softball Regional Preview.

Written Wednesday June 4th, at 9:00 PM
 
The Softball Regional at Hartland (Livingston County) this weekend features two teams that are ranked in the State and one team getting an honorable mention in the State. Romeo is the defending regional champions after beating Troy in a dramatic game last season and is ranked number two, Lake Orion is number six in the state, and Troy is an honorable mention in the state. Fenton is the newcomer here to this regional and shocking both Hartland and Lakeland in the district final at Milford last week

Fenton vs. Romeo (10 AM): Fenton is the newcomers to the regional at Hartland. The Tigers shocked Hartland and beat Lakeland in the district finals 6-4 at Milford. Romeo is ranked number two in the state only lost two starters on a team that went to the state quarterfinals last season destroyed Rochester 7-0 in the district semifinals and Utica, the MAC White champions 6-0 in the district finals at Utica. The MAC Red champions are led by senior pitcher Hailey Zimmer. Zimmer is going to Central Michigan next season as a pitcher and is one of the top pitchers in the state. She also has a very good bat as well, batting over 420 this season. When you look at this match up, this match is such a mismatch for Fenton. Romeo has experience on its side, a strong offense, and also the state’s best pitcher.

PICK: ROMEO 7, FENTON 0.

Lake Orion vs. Troy (Approx 12 PM): This will be a rematch of Red powers that have played earlier in the season in which both games were won by the Dragons. Lake Orion whom is the Red Champions beat the KLAA North Champions, Waterford Kettering 12-1 and arch rival Clarkston 7-5 in the district semifinals and then beating Waterford Mott 8-1 in the district finals at Lake Orion. Troy beat arch rival Troy Athens 7-6 at Bloomfield Hills in the district finals to get back to the regional. The Colts and Dragons have high powered offenses that have created havoc this season. Troy is led by Sydney Heath who is going to Michigan State next season and is also deep as well. Lake Orion is led by Rachel Dolland and Kayla Knoblock and is also deep as well. In what is expected to be a shootout when it comes to runs. This game will be a shootout as both teams know each other well but in the end, the key is Sierra Gonzales and Lake Orion has her but Troy will be motivated for this game.

PICK: LAKE ORION 10, TROY 8.

Lake Orion vs. Romeo (30 Min after second game): This match is interesting but with the two state ranked teams. This could be the match up everyone in the state will be talking about if these two teams do meet in the regional finals. Lake Orion has a very good hitting team and also a very good pitcher in Sierra Gonzales. Romeo has Hailey Weaver whom is the state’s top pitcher who is going to Central Michigan next season. If Weaver struggles the Bulldogs are in big trouble and she could be in this match up. This game could be a shootout here, if it’s low scoring advantage Romeo, if it’s high scoring advantage Lake Orion. There is always a saying that good pitching beats good hitting but in this match up good hitting will beat good pitching here.

PICK: LAKE ORION 6, ROMEO 4.