OAA Boys Basketball District Projections

Written Sunday March 3rd, at 11:55 PM

Yes it’s been a long while since I’ve been writing in the blog. Well anyway I look at this season with recent shocks and recent disappointments this season in the OAA. I think the experts like Keith Dunlap and Scott Bernstein are really overlooking some teams in Oakland County. Here are my projections of who will win each district match up and why they will win. First I will give you the Dragons Den Final Top 10 heading into the playoffs.

1. Adams

2. Clarkston

3. Southfield

4. Rochester

5. North Farmington

6. Birmingham Seaholm

7. Lahser

8. Beverly Hills Wylie E. Groves

9. Orion

10. Stoney Creek

Next is the District Projections.

Italic and Underlined are projected winners.

District 21 @ U-D Jesuit.

Detroit Mumford at Detroit Henry Ford

Farmington at Redford Union

Detroit Mumford/Detroit Henry Ford vs. U-D Jesuit

Farmington/Redford Union vs. Detroit Renaissance

Projected District Final: Farmington vs. U-D Jesuit

This district will provide Farmington its best shot to get to the District Final however there will be one problem when the Falcons get to the District Final and that would be U-D Jesuit. This is the Cubs best team they have had this season at U-D Jesuit and currently are ranked in the state. To make matters worst U-D Jesuit won the Catholic League crown this season. Detroit Henry Ford is the wildcard here and has had a good season in the Detroit Public School League. They could give U-D Jesuit problems in the semifinals but in the end it will be too much Cubs because of talent and home court.

DISTRICT CHAMP: U-D Jesuit.

District 24 @ Beverly Hills Wylie E. Groves

Southfield Lathrup vs. Royal Oak

Berkley vs. Oak Park

Southfield vs. Oak Park/Berkley

Beverly Hills Wylie E. Groves vs. Southfield Lathrup/Royal Oak

Projected District Final: Southfield vs. Southfield Lathrup

This is an interesting district right here because Lathrup has the best player, Oak Park is solid and have gone through an emotional swing since their coach Al Littlejohn had surgery in November, Southfield is talented and solid as always this season, Groves has two players in Kylie Irvin and Eddie Reese who are on a roll right now, they shared the Gold, and has home court. Royal Oak has had a good season but don’t see them beating the Chargers. Lathrup could give the Falcons problems with their talent and Jonathan Williams, whom is a scoring machine. Lathrup also has played in a tougher division than the Falcons (Lathrup: Red. Groves: Gold.) I think who ever wins the Southfield/Oak Park game will win this district and for me it’s the Blue Jays.

DISTRICT CHAMP: Southfield

District 25 @ North Farmington

Walled Lake Central vs. Walled Lake Western

Farmington Hills Harrison vs. Walled Lake Northern

North Farmington vs. Farmington Hills Harrison/Walled Lake Western

White Lake Lakeland vs. Walled Lake Central/Walled Lake Western

Projected District Final: Walled Lake Central vs. North Farmington

This is an interesting district yet again between a few OAA and  Kensington Lakes teams. The winner of the Walled Lake Central/Walled Lake Western game will likely be in the district finals. Walled Lake Western has a 6.11 big man in the post in Miroslav Jasic but the Warriors had a bad loss earlier in the season to Waterford Kettering and had to survive Milford on a buzzer beater with Jasic hurt. Walled Lake Central is not bad either and won the KLAA North from Waterford Mott. Lakeland is also solid and well known for their defense and low scoring games. Harrison has three point shooters Dorian Fields and AJ Freeman but if they’re cold then they are in trouble. Walled Lake Northern is not that strong this season. North Farmington is not bad and is led by two talented players in Caleb Hogans and Jeron Rogers and home court is always huge to have. I think the home team will prevail and move on and that is Todd Negoshian’s crew.

DISTRICT CHAMP: North Farmington

District 27 @ Andover

Lahser vs. West Bloomfield

Andover vs. Birmingham Seaholm

Birmingham Brother Rice vs. Lahser/West Bloomfield

 Orchard Lake St. Mary’s vs. Birmingham Seaholm/Andover

Projected District Final: Lahser vs. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s

This is toughest district in Oakland County record wise at 67-53 this season with all the teams in this district. This district is also wide open as well. Seaholm features Paris Bass along with Brett Houghton and Brandon Yousif while Lahser counters with Armand Cartwright, Khali Gracey, and Yante Maten. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s is talented led by Matt Lienhan and Scott McClendon and should be in a foul mood after losing in the Catholic League finals to U-D Jesuit. Andover has three point shooters and home court but has struggled recently with defections and injuries. Brother Rice is better than people think and has struggled through the rugged Catholic League but the defense and motivation will keep the Warriors in games. West Bloomfield lost its freshman star because he was academically ineligible but the Lakers have played in the Red this season. The Eaglets are favored according to the experts but it wouldn’t surprise me if they do get upset by Seaholm in the semifinals. Andover could give Lahser fits but doesn’t have anyone who can stop Maten inside. Brother Rice is better but don’t think they will beat Lahser. In the end, the co Blue champs will move on and repeat as District Champs and Dwayne Graves will be one happy coach.

DISTRICT CHAMP: Lahser.

District 29 @ Troy

Waterford Kettering vs. Pontiac

Waterford Mott vs. Avondale

Troy vs. Waterford Mott/Avondale

Troy Athens vs. Waterford Kettering/Pontiac

Projected District Final: Pontiac vs. Troy

This district is competitive but Pontiac did get a big overtime win at Troy on Friday night and should get to the district finals pending if they don’t get upset by Waterford Kettering or Troy Athens. The experts are picking Waterford Mott to win this district because of their experience with Khali Malone and Quincy Morgan. Mott went to the regional finals last season before losing to Lake Orion on their home court. The Corsairs did beat both Troy and Troy Athens to win at Troy Athens in the district. The Red Hawks are very young this season with two freshman and three sophomores starting but they do have a win over Troy this season. This year could be different especially with the district being on the Colts home floor. Troy is small though but it did beat Clarkston earlier in the season so they are a threat. I can see the Colts not only winning over Waterford Mott but also moving on to the regional and also be careful of Pontiac, the Phoenix are not that bad either and have an easier path to the district final.

DISTRICT CHAMP: Troy

District 30: @ Orion

Orion vs. Clarkston

Orion/Clarkston vs. Romeo

Oxford vs. Rochester Adams

Projected District Final: Orion vs. Rochester Adams

This district comes in with a combined record of 66-34 and three league champions (Clarkston, Red. Adams, White, Orion, shared the Blue) are in this district. Adams comes in with the best record at 20-0 and hasn’t lost since the district semifinals to Rochester last season. The Highlanders are led by Akheimji Williams and Zach Littleson. Clarkston has been playing really well lately and are led by Jordan Dasqui and Nick Owens but the regular season and playoffs are different. Orion has had a tough February (All were on the road except for the Farmington game) but the Dragons are a different team at home and most of this team is back from the state quarterfinal run led by John McCarty and Chaz Miller. Oxford started 0-4 this season but has bounced back to finish at 10-10 led by their transfers and also a strong senior class. Romeo is the wildcard here, finishing at 11-9 and one of their wins came against Macomb L’Anse Creuse North, who went to the state semifinals last season and is led by Drew Cushingberry. The experts have picked Clarkston or Adams to win this district because of their recent runs so far but no one is talking about the Dragons. Let’s remember that this team went to the state quarterfinals last season and most of them are back. Yes Clarkston has played in the Red and does play the Dragons on Monday night. Adams is unbeaten this season. Maybe it’s a good thing that no one is talking about Lake Orion and already doubts them.

DISTRICT CHAMP: Orion

District 31 @ Sterling Heights Stevenson

Stoney Creek vs. Utica Eisenhower

Rochester vs. Utica Ford

Utica vs. Rochester/Utica Ford

Sterling Heights Stevenson vs. Stoney Creek/Utica Eisenhower

Projected District Final: Rochester vs. Stoney Creek

This has to be Rochester’s best shot to win a district in 23 years, (last district was in 1989.) Last season, Rochester had its best season (20-2) before being upset by Lake Orion in the district final at Rochester Adams. The Falcons reloaded by bringing in James Young from Troy but he hasn’t played in two weeks due to a calf injury but is expected back for the district final if Rochester gets there. Utica Eisenhower and Stoney Creek appear to be the best competition that the Rochester will see in this district. Stoney Creek has bounced back from a 0-21 season from a year ago and shared the Gold this season with Beverly Hills Wylie E. Groves. Utica Eisenhower finished third in the Macomb Area Red and is not that bad this season. Sterling Heights Stevenson is on their home floor and could make some noise. Utica this season is not very good nor is Utica Ford who lost to Troy last week. If Rochester doesn’t win this district then they never will win one but this may be their year to get one.

DISTRICT CHAMP: Rochester

DIVISION II

District 42 @ Ferndale

Southfield Bradford vs. Detroit Old Redford

Warren Fitzgerald vs. Ferndale

Ferndale University vs. Warren Fitzgerald/Ferndale

Hazel Park vs. Southfield Bradford/Detroit Old Redford

Projected District Final: Warren Fitzgerald vs. Detroit Old Redford

Don’t know much about this district except the two best teams are going to face each other in the semifinals. Warren Fitzgerald is one of the best teams in the Macomb Area Conference Blue. Ferndale and Ferndale University are the other two top teams in this district but they are paired with Warren Fitzgerald who will move on to the regional. The other side isn’t the greatest and it won’t be likely that Hazel Park will get past the semifinals.

DISTRICT CHAMP: Warren Fitzgerald