Boys 1996

Taking a look at the pre-season top ranked teams participating in the 21st Annual Motor City Roundball Classic.

Team Page (Team info, Schedule, Results, Stats)

The Phoenix of PONTIAC (5-13) finished five games better last year than they had the year before Chris Wright took over at the helm, and return four of five starters from last year’s fourth-place squad. Even with four seniors — starters Jaszmin Blue, Shawntell Evans, Infinnatie Rowe and Jordin Wright — the Phoenix are still young. Sophomore Zakariya Brown is the final starter, while junior transfers Diamond Cabil (Pontiac Academy for Excellence) and Savannah Pitts (Flint Northwestern), along with freshman Taleah Washington, will give Pontiac some size.  - MiPrepZone

Taking a look at the pre-season top ranked teams participating in the 21st Annual Motor City Roundball Classic.

Team Page (Team info, Schedule, Results, Stats)

5. SOUTHFIELD (18-3) — The Blue Jays were the surprise team of 2015, going unbeaten in the newly-formed OAA Gold to clinch their first league title since 2000. Although they bump up a level to the OAA Blue this season, they should be uniquely qualified to handle that promotion, as the Jays return five starters — Stormeigh Mattison, Kristilynn Defoe, Bailey Hervey, Tyler Washington and D’layna Holliman — from last year, adding a couple of talented freshmen to the mix.

While the Jays are favorites (along with Birmingham Seaholm) to win the Blue title, true postseason success in the final season of the program’s singular existence — next year, it merges with Lathrup — will hinge upon whether or not the Jays can pull off one last win over their cross-town rivals in districts. - MIPrepZone

Taking a look at the pre-season top ranked teams participating in the 21st Annual Motor City Roundball Classic.

Team Page (Team info, Schedule, Results, Stats)

4. FARMINGTON HILLS HARRISON (13-9) — The fact that the Hawks couldn’t defend their OAA Red title from two seasons ago was less a sign that 2013-14 was a fluke, but more testament to the vagaries of health in high school athletics. Midseason injuries to two college-bound players — Amber Stephens and Kyla Roland — all but eliminated the Hawks from a chance at a repeat, and sorely tested Harrison’s depth.

While Harrison is adjusting to a new coach in Allen Walker this season, they do have two of their Big Three back for one last go-round, pairing Stephens (Wayne State) in the backcourt with Kristen Nelson (Southern Illinois). If the Hawks get enough of a contribution from the supporting cast, those two could carry them a long way — as they have for the previous three seasons. - MIPrepZone

Taking a look at the pre-season top ranked teams participating in the 21st Annual Motor City Roundball Classic.

Team Page (Team info, Schedule, Results, Stats)

WATERFORD OUR LADY OF THE LAKES (12-13) — The Lakers certainly aren’t here on the strength of their regular season, when they finished fourth (4-6) in the Catholic League’s East Division, and got bounced in the first round of the league playoff bracket.

Nope, the Lakers are here for what they did after that, making an amazing run all the way to MSU’s Breslin Center, before bowing out in the semifinals.

Even better? All five starters — Alex Troy, Megan Ross, Allison Maiorana, Tiffany Senerius and Lucille Kline — return to this season’s squad, which will be boosted by the addition of sophomore transfers Maddy Oshinsky (Walled Lake Central) and Catherine Weddle (Lakeland) and freshman center Sophia Hadash.

The still-young Lakers (three seniors, one junior) will be tested by a very competitive East Division this winter, but don’t count them out from repeating last year’s postseason run, no matter what the regular-season record looks like. - MIPrepZone