OAA Boys Basketball Preview

Written Wednesday November 27th, at 6:45 PM

Top 10:

10. Farmington Falcons: Strong JV team could be a huge difference in the Blue for the Falcons.

9. Troy Colts: Strong defense and opportunistic shooting has the Colts right here.

8. Troy Athens Red Hawks: Experience and momentum from beating Waterford Mott last season in the district finals will be huge for the Red Hawks this season.

7. Rochester Adams Highlanders: There likely won’t be another 20-0 season like they did last season and one of those wins was at Clarkston.

6. Southfield Blue Jays: The Blue Jays will always have speed to be in games this season.

5. Oak Park Knights: Chemistry might be an issue in Knight Valley this season despite the fact they have two division one players on the roster.

4. Lake Orion Dragons: Chemistry is huge for the Dragons this season.

3. North Farmington Raiders: Return of Buddha has the Raiders riding high.

2. Clarkston Wolves: Football playoff run could affect Wolves early but not late.

1. Bloomfield Hills Blackhawks: Big Three and Andover shooters could lead the Blackhawks to a special season together.

Red:

The Red this season is tough with six top teams. Three teams are near the top but the dark horses are going to be good as well. Bloomfield Hills merged this season with Lahser’s Big Three back along with an Andover team who was a very good shooting team from a season ago for Coach Dwayne Graves. Clarkston has some size this season but will relay on its guards to score for Coach Dan Fife. North Farmington got a huge gift as Jerome Rogers returned from Texas to play for Coach Todd Negoshian and the Raiders. He has a very dangerous point guard as well returning. Expect them to make noise this season. Southfield will relay on speed. Adams returns Ajemji Williams for Coach John Hall after a 20-0 season last season. Pontiac has some questions but they always will have speed and talent for Coach Robert Rogers. Southfield-Lathrup will struggle this season after losing two key players, in Jonathan Williams and Ja-Christian Biles and Rochester lost James Young and Aman Carjai and is in big trouble for Coach John Pleasant after a trip to the State Quarterfinals last season where it lost to Detroit Southeastern.

Projections in Order:

Bloomfield Hills Blackhawks: Big Three and Andover’s shooters from a season ago give the Blackhawks a good chance to win the Red.

Clarkston Wolves: Size and good guard play gives the Wolves a good chance. The problem could be early as Clarkston tries to gel from their football playoff run.

North Farmington Raiders: Return of Buddha gives the Raiders a shot to win the Red.

Southfield Blue Jays: Speed gives the Blue Jays a chance to compete.

Rochester Adams Highlanders: Williams will be the key for the Highlanders to have a great season.

Pontiac Phoenix: Speed and quickness will be the key for the Phoenix this season.

Southfield-Lathrup Chargers: Losses of two key players will leave the Chargers in trouble.

Rochester Falcons: It could be a long season in Rochester this season after last season’s trip to the State Quarterfinals.

White:

The White just got interesting this season with the additions of Lake Orion and Birmingham Seaholm from the Blue. Beverly Hills Wylie E. Groves from the Gold and Troy, Avondale, and West Bloomfield all move down from the Red. Oak Park had a coaching change last season as Bryan Tipton comes over from Detroit Cody to coach at Oak Park this season. Tipton brought in some good players from a team that was under 500 (Detroit Cody was 8-9 last season) and add a Southfield Lathrup transfer to the mix, the Knights could be the team to beat. The defending Blue Champions Lake Orion might have a very strong say to that. The Dragons have a lot of experience and chemistry back for coach Tom Risi and have a brutal non conference schedule. Troy Athens is in the same boat as Lake Orion as well when it comes to experience as the Red Hawks return all five starters from a season ago that beat Waterford Mott in the district championship game. Troy will be small but does shoot the ball and defends well for coach Gary Fralik. Avondale brought back a familiar face in Coach Tim Morten who guided the Yellow Jackets to their state championship in Class B in 2002. Morten will bring a run and gun approach just like he did in Auburn Hills a season ago. West Bloomfield will have speed and experience and have Tristan Jackson leading them as their point guard this season. Birmingham Seaholm lost Paris Bass but their junior varsity team was solid last season and will have some struggles early for Coach Jose Andreaus. Beverly Hills Wylie E Groves moved up from the Gold to the White could struggle this season. The Falcons lost a lot of talent from a district championship a season ago.

Projected in Order:

Lake Orion Dragons: Team chemistry will be huge this season for the Dragons. No true star on this team.

Oak Park Knights: New additions, two division one players will keep the Knights in the race all season long.

Troy Athens Red Hawks: Junior laded Red Hawks led by senior Lucas Bezerra will be solid this season

Troy Colts: Size will be an issue but defense and shooting will keep the Colts in games this season.

Avondale Yellow Jackets: New and old will be the key in Auburn Hills. Tim Morten will have his troops ready to go this season.

West Bloomfield Lakers: Guard play will be the key for the Lakers this season.

Birmingham Seaholm Maples: Young team. They might take its lumps early. Don’t want to see the Maples in March.

Beverly Hills Wylie E. Groves Falcons: Falcons could struggle this season after an emotional season last season.

Blue:

The Blue is a madhouse of a league. Most of the Gold teams are here in this division. Ferndale moves from the White to the Blue. The Blue has four stellar teams while three of those could struggle. The favorite looks to be Farmington. Last season the Falcons struggled and now they have some key peaces back and their junior varsity team was 18-2 last season and expect them to do some damage. Ferndale moves down from the White to the Blue bring a lot of experience back. Stoney Creek is well coached under Steve Norgrove and will have a strong say in who wins the Blue. Oxford has a new coach in Stephan Henning and two good players to lead the Wildcats. Berkley will have some experience back. Royal Oak is a senior laden team and could create an impact. Harrison could struggle this season and Hazel Park will as well.

Projected in Order:

Farmington Falcons: Strong junior varsity team gives Falcons good chance.

Ferndale Eagles: Eagles return experience and have experience playing in the White last season.

Stoney Creek Cougars: Co-Gold champs expected to do a lot of damage this season.

Oxford Wildcats: New coach Stephan Henning will have the Wildcats scoring in bunches but defense will be an issue.

Royal Oak Ravens: Senior laden team and experience will do wonders for the Ravens.

Berkley Bears: The Bears could have a very good season, they could surprise people.

Farmington Hills Harrison Hawks: The Hawks lost a lot of peaces. They could struggle in the Blue this season.

Hazel Park Vikings: The Vikings will struggle this season, a lot.