Basketball Outlook for 2014-2015 Season.

Written Thursday December 4th, at 9:45 AM

Hello all, sorry I’ve haven’t been around: been busy with papers. It’s that time again here are my thoughts heading into both Boys and Girls season heading into 2015. Also stay tuned to OAA Now for complete coverage of the 2014-2015 season.

1. Seaholm is overwhelming favorite in the Blue:

The Maples this season is expected to do wonders in year two under January Hlaski but the non-conference schedule is brutal for Seaholm. The Maples play Troy, Stoney Creek, Adams, and Lake Orion along with Blue teams, Farmington, Royal Oak, and Oak Park. Seaholm will be led by sophomore Mackenzie Harbott who has a good three point shooter and good floor general. Expect an interesting season at Birmingham Seaholm this season.

2. Dinkins influences two teams:

With the sudden transfer of Dazia Dinkins to Rochester Adams, it already brought an effect on two teams. Dinkins led Adams on Tuesday night against Oxford, being a penetratior, and good passer to go along with her shooting. Dinkins brings experience to the Red and is now paired with Raven Owusu, Ryian Owusu, Amber Jamison, and Olivia Aregors to form one of the best starting fives in Oakland County for first year coach Shay Lewis, who takes over for long time Highlanders coach Fran Schiowitcz. Dinkins transferred from West Bloomfield and the Lakers did not look good against Clarkston losing 68-25 on Tuesday night. Dinkins was their scorer and leader. It could be a tough season for Matt Hibers, Lakers crew but they still have Rachel Harnish and others who has to step up their games and they play in a tough division, the White.

3. North Farmington is Clarkston’s biggest threat:

The Raiders are the biggest threat to Clarkston this season. Both North Farmington and Clarkston will have very good teams. The Raiders are led by Jerome Rogers and Jacob Joubert and have a lot of experience back for coach Todd Negogation. The Wolves are led by Drew Myers, Tabin Throgmorton, Merrick Canada, and Cole Chewins but feature former Detroit Pistons coach John Loyer’s son Foster Loyer. Expect Clarkston and North Farmington to battle it out for the Red but teams like Bloomfield Hills, Adams, and Southfield will have a strong say about that this season.

4. The Red in Girls is toughest division in the State:

When looking at the divisions, the Red may have each team at or above 500 this season. Lathrup, Harrison, Adams, and Clarkston are expected to be very good. Stoney Creek and North Farmington will be very good as well. They will beat each other up in league play, expect this race to be fun all season long. Any team can be beat on any given day.

5. Harrison has the most vicious schedule in the State:

Harrison coach Tim Micklash will have his money’s worth when it came to the scheduling this season. Besides the Red where the Hawks play Lathrup, Clarkston, Adams, Stoney Creek, and North Farmington they have to play Ann Arbor Huron, Highland Park Chandler Park Academy, Plymouth, and a team from Chicago in the Roundball classic that is very good. Also mention their district is at Birmingham Marian and they could see the Mustangs in that district. This is a brutal schedule for Micklash but he has the talent in Amber Stephans, Katie Conrad, Kristen Nelson, and Kyla Rowland to make a run this season.

6. West Bloomfield better not sleep on Oxford:

The Lakers are favored in the Blue and for good reason, they are led by Tristian Jackson, Michael King, and Zach Allread and not to mention they have a deep bench as well but the Wildcats could derail West Bloomfield’s league hopes. Oxford is led by coach Stephan Henning, the Wildcats return three of their five starters from last season led by Delvon Alexander, Conner Elzerman, and Jamal Thomas. Add to the mix transfer Mason Vires from Clarkston and you may have one of the best teams in Oakland County that could seriously challenge West Bloomfield. Groves and Stoney Creek will be players as well this season but Oxford has the best chance to take West Bloomfield to the limit this season.

7. Berkley, Southfield, and Troy Athens will go down to the wire in Girls:

The Bears despite the fact they lost to Warren Mott 38-31 on Wednesday night will be in contention for a league title. Berkley will be led by sophomore Makayla Denham along with senior Grace Hammele and junior Celia Somers. Troy Athens meanwhile got destroyed by Stoney Creek 68-20 on Tuesday night will be the other team to contend. Southfield is solid this season led by Kristen Lynn Defoe. The Red Hawks have the talent to compete with the Bears and Blue Jays. Expect this race to go down to the wire this season.

8. Lake Orion will be better than people think:

The Dragons looking at the schedule in the girls have a manageable schedule in December. January is where they will be tested but this team is led by Hannah Hamay and Evelyn Wischmeyer and is expected to contend with Oxford, Bloomfield Hills, Troy, and Avondale for the White. The first four games they play Brandon, Linden, Groves, and Rochester. No one is talking about the lady Dragons and that maybe a good thing. The Dragons boys I expect to be good this season despite the fact that their first eight games are against very good competition (Oxford, Adams, Southfield, Clarkston, Lathrup, Stoney Creek, and Bloomfield Hills and that’s not league play yet with Oak Park, Troy, and Troy Athens. Also mention that Romeo is on the schedule and they will play them in March. Expect the Dragons ladies and guys to be ready for March.

9. Ben Kelso at Pontiac could be trouble:

Pontiac did hire a new coach in Ben Kelso, who takes over for Robert Rogers. Kelso took over at Waterford Kettering last season is mostly known for his defensive intensity. He has won three straight titles but it will be a tough chore this season with the Phoenix for a few reasons why they could struggle off the get go. First they play in a tough division where Oak Park, Troy Athens, Troy, and Lake Orion reside, the White. Second, the transition period, the Phoenix did gain a transfer in Kelso’s son Jalen but the team has to gel and get used to each other. Expect growing pains in year one of the Kelso era in Pontiac.

10. Scales at Oak Park makes Knights serious state contender:

When looking at Oak Park this season, the Knights are favored in the White, have a favorable district until they run into U-D Jesuit in the regional final. When looking at Bryan Tipton, he was the right guy for this job.  Oak Park returns one of the biggest front courts in the county in Kevon Fuller and with the return of Rodney Scales it gives Tipton a good option along with transfer from River Rouge, Johnathan Raines. I expect this three headed monster will be a force for the Knights once playoff time looms.