Girls Basketball Districts Preview

Written Wednesday February 22nd, at 11:07 PM

Hello all I'm sorry but I've been so busy with school work, along with Between Taorminas and my work as a coach and working girls and boys basketball games. Anyway here are my previews and picks for the Girls Basketball districts happening Monday through Friday of next week.

Italic are teams I think will win their games.

District 8 @ Holly.

Ortonville Brandon vs. Swartz Creek
Winner plays Grand Blanc: Grand Blanc vs. Swartz Creek
Holly vs. Clarkston
Winner plays Fenton: Fenton vs. Clarkston
Clarkston vs. Grand Blanc

Experts will likely pick Clarkston to win the district because of their experience, last season Clarkston was a Sweet 16 team when they fell to Midland in the Regional Final.

Clarkston is led by Ana Manila, Megan Hastings, Erin Davenport, Erica Davenport, Delaney Kenny, and Christina Jokish. They feature a deep bench and can be a force in the playoffs.

The team that could threaten Clarkston is Holly for two reasons. The first reason is the home court, the district is at Holly. The second reason is Holly features a six foot sophomore forward Alyssa Copley. She could give Clarkston's interior everything they can handle, especially with her size and attacking the basket.

Holly had to survive Swartz Creek 29-27 last Friday night and could give Grand Blanc problems in the district semifinals. Grand Blanc is also a team to watch in this district especially with a 66-63 win over Waterford Mott a few weeks ago and is expected to contend.

I think Clarkston is too talented enough even for Holly, Swartz Creek, and Grand Blanc to beat them. Clarkston will move on to the regional with a rematch with Midland on the horizon.

DISTRICT CHAMP: Clarkston.

District 25 @ West Bloomfield.

North Farmington vs. Mercy
Winner plays Harrison: Mercy vs. Harrison
West Bloomfield vs. Farmington
Winner vs. Walled Lake Western: Walled Lake Western vs. Farmington
Mercy vs. Farmington

This district is one of the toughest in the county with it's star power. Experts say Mercy should win this district but don’t under estimate the other teams in this district.

Walled Lake Western has had an improved year and could be a dangerous spoiler after finishing second in the Kensington Lakes Athletic Association Lakes Division behind 7th ranked Waterford Kettering.

West Bloomfield has the district’s dynamic player in Sydni Davis and has home court.

Farmington has the best duo backcourt in the district in Aaron Howell and Cheris Willis and also the tallest player in 6.8 Keshia Todd.

North Farmington has Jasmine Harris who is going to Massachusetts to play basketball next year and also the Caruthers sisters who are a wildcard in this district.

Harrison has a very good backcourt as well in Tierra Parker and Marissa Cotton, both of them combined for 31 points against Troy Athens and is capable of carrying Harrison in tight games.

Mercy features six sophomores who can play and score. Mercy did lose in the Catholic League A/B Final to Dearborn Divine Child last Saturday in Detroit but did get a bit of revenge by taking down 5th ranked Detroit Pershing last Thursday night 52-45.

This district looks like its Mercy’s to lose but Farmington, West Bloomfield and North Farmington have chances to take down Mercy.

DISTRICT CHAMP: Mercy

District 24 @ Lathrup.

Royal Oak vs. Southfield
Winner plays Detroit Henry Ford: Royal Oak vs. Detroit Henry Ford
Lathrup vs. Berkley
Winner plays Oak Park: Oak Park vs. Lathrup
Lathrup vs. Royal Oak

Experts say Lathrup and Detroit Henry Ford will meet in the district finals if things go both teams way but don’t count out Royal Oak.

Royal Oak has had a strong season themselves in the OAA Blue and is led by point guard Sami Stormont.

Southfield has also had a great year and is led by Courtney Williams and Kiara Salisbury. Southfield and Royal Oak rematch each other in the first round. Royal Oak beat Southfield 30-27 last Friday night and should be yet another war.

Berkley has had a nice year and has some good players in Lucy McNaly, Aarica McCray, and Diamond Wilford but they match up against the hosts in the first round which is not a good match up for Berkley.

Lathrup is led by Michele Hayes, who on a team that had to replace three of their five starters on their team from last season. Lathrup does have some nice wins over Clarkston, Stoney Creek, Troy twice, and Avondale.

I think Royal Oak could make a serious run in the district playoffs and beat Detroit Henry Ford in the process but as for the district final, it's is the hosts to lose.

DISTRICT CHAMP: Lathrup

District 29 @ Avondale.

Avondale vs. Athens
Winner plays Troy: Avondale vs. Troy
Waterford Kettering vs. Waterford Mott
Winner plays Pontiac: Pontiac vs. Waterford Kettering
Waterford Kettering vs. Avondale

This district is the toughest in Oakland County.

Waterford Kettering is 7th in the state and wants revenge after last year’s shocking opening round loss against Troy. Kettering does have experience on their side and is nicknamed "The defense department." Kettering is led by Allison Bicknell, Shelby Watts, Hannah Huff, and Arjanai Washington. Another motivational factor that might be motivating Kettering is that they are coming off an emotional 48-46 overtime loss in the KLAA Championship game to Westland John Glenn. The defense department allowed 28 points against Brighton on the road in the semifinals but an alarming 48 points to Westland John Glenn at home.

Avondale is dangerous and is led by point guard Hannah Little. Little is one of the state's top players and defensibly has kept players like Stoney Creek's Gabby Yurik and Clarkston's Megan Hastings from going off in games. Avondale has had some big wins this season. (Clarkston on the road, Southfield Lathrup, and Stoney Creek at home.) Avondale did put up 70 points against West Bloomfield last Friday night and is more than capable of putting up points especially on their home court.

Troy has Karin Moss who is going to Buffalo next season as well as Sabrina Cotton and Sydney Heath. Troy has had a disappointing season and has lost some really bad games but can make amends in the district.

Troy Athens has Sinclair Russell who is going to Oakland next season. Troy Athens did struggle this season but did have three wins (Ferndale University, at Rochester, Farmington.)

Mott is led by Lauren Hung. Hung had 20 points against Grand Blanc in a 66-63 loss and had 25 points in a 57-47 loss to Livonia Stevenson. Mott has rebounded well from a tough start last season

Pontiac under first year coach Lance Davis features Nia Barton and Meshia Smith will be tough out and has had a nice season. Pontiac could give Kettering in the district semifinals some problems especially with their defense.

This district has had 64 wins combined between these five teams in this bracket.

The district finals could be a war especially with the possibility of Kettering and Avondale meeting again in a possible rematch if everything works out for both teams. They did play each other the first game of the season and Kettering won that game 57-45. If they do play each other than it would be yet another battle like it was in the first game of the season. The game will be close but experience favors Kettering over the hosts.

DISTRICT CHAMP: Waterford Kettering

District 27 @ Andover.

Lahser vs. Seaholm
Winner plays Marian: Seaholm vs. Marian
Andover vs. Groves
Andover vs. Marian

This district is wide open. Birmingham Marian is a young team while Groves is a veteran team and dangerous team. Seaholm and Lahser are both dangerous teams as well and either one will give Marian everything they can handle in the district semifinals.

Marian did play in a tougher league in the Catholic League than the rest of the teams (Andover, Seaholm, Lahser) whom played in the OAA Blue with the exception of Groves who played in the OAA White.

Groves is led by Jessica Turner and Jordan Blackwell. Groves can be dark-horse in this district and could give Andover problems especially with the advantage at the forward spot.

Seaholm is also going to be a threat along with Lahser but they play each other in the first round

The favorite in this district is Andover. Andover won the OAA Blue outright after a crazy win over Ferndale last Friday night. Andover features a star center in sophomore Shannon Wilson and shooting guard Rachel Rea. Wilson has had a strong season scoring and rebounding wise and is expected to be the star in this district while Rea had 20 points in their win over Ferndale.

I think that you may see the hosts moving on because of the home court advantage and two dangerous players in Rea and Wilson. It would also be the first time since 1977 that Andover has won a District Championship and this could be their year to do so.

DISTRICT CHAMP: Andover

District 30 @ Rochester.

Lake Orion vs. Rochester
Winner plays Oxford: Lake Orion vs. Oxford
Adams vs. Stoney Creek
Lake Orion vs. Adams

This district is wide open but there are four teams that could win this district. Experts are going to say that Stoney Creek is the favorite because they play in the OAA Red and they have the team’s leading scorer in Stoney Creek history in Gabby Yurik. Stoney Creek has played everyone who is in the district except for Lake Orion this season but don't count out the OAA White this season. The three top teams in the White: Adams, Lake Orion, and Oxford are also in this district.

Stoney Creek is a veteran team and has other weapons besides Yurik in post players Lauren and Natalie Voss. Small forward Keri Scipione and point guard Lauren Bolhuis are also dangerous three point shooters. They have to connect with them or Stoney Creek could go home.

Lake Orion has had to rebuild its foundation and is one of the best defensive teams in this district. Lake Orion features Marissa Secontine, Laura Turnbull, Hannah Hamay, Emile Kipp, and Nicole Krier. Lake Orion has won seven of it's last eight games and is a dangerous team in this district.

The OAA White Champion, Adams features depth, length, and experience in Lauren Boyle, Taylor Houghtlin, Karissa Roveda, and Lexi Lewandowski. Adams is 2-0 since the loss to Andover and is expected to give Stoney Creek everything they can handle in the semifinals.

Oxford under first year coach Matt Emert has became a dangerous team after a brutal November and December. They are led by Miranda Murphy, Shelby Davis, Jessica Murphy, Kelsey Harrison, and Megan Neff. Oxford did suffer a big loss when they lost Michelle Gilmore for the district due to a suspension that she received during their 39-34 loss to Lake Orion for throwing two punches but Oxford still has enough balance to play without Gilmore.

Rochester features Zhana Randolph, Aubrey Konal, Lindsey Larivee, and Anne Tucker. Rochester has had a struggle this season but could make amends in the district.

This district has 55 wins combined between the five teams.

I can see Lake Orion, Adams, Stoney Creek, or Oxford in the district finals. Lake Orion won the volleyball district at Rochester in 2011 and the regional is at Lake Orion, its shaping up to be an interesting district.

DISTRICT CHAMP: Lake Orion

District 41 @ Livonia Clarenceville

Livonia Clarenceville vs. Ferndale University
Detroit CMA vs. Highland Park Community
Hamtramck vs. Detroit Community
Old Redford vs. Ferndale
Ferndale University vs. Detroit CMA
Detroit Community vs. Ferndale
Ferndale University vs. Ferndale

This is not a good district when it comes to wins and losses this season. Only Ferndale University and Ferndale have winning records coming into this district. One guarantee for sure is that a team from Ferndale will move on to the Regional. Ferndale did put up 54 points in a tough 54-53 loss to Andover last Friday night and is the favorite to move on past the district.

DISTRICT CHAMP: Ferndale

District 43 @ Detroit Country Day

Cranbrook Kingswood vs. Madison Heights Lamphere
Winner plays Center Line: Cranbrook Kingswood vs. Center Line
Country Day vs. Warren Lincoln
Clawson vs. Hazel Park
Clawson vs. Country Day
Cranbrook Kingswood vs. Country Day

This district is Country Day's to lose. Country Day has so much firepower lead by Amber Deane. They also have experience and also add the home court advantage. This won't be much of a district it will likely be a Detroit Country Day massacre.

DISTRICT CHAMP: Detroit Country Day