Stick’s Picks: Classic matchups set for season’s final weekend
The final weekend in finally here.
The final weekend of the fall sports season concludes at Ford Field with the football state finals Friday and Saturday.
There are several powerhouse teams that have made the march down to Detroit once again, while some others are looking for their first shot at glory.
Lake Orion is the sole team from the www.northoaklandsports.com coverage area in the finals this weekend, the second time in three years the Dragons have reached this point. Lake Orion is trying to become the first team ifrom the NOS region to win the state title since Rochester Adams claimed the Division 2 title in 2003.
There are four games Friday and four games Saturday and NOS will be camped out at Ford Field all weekend, hopefully to view some classics state title games.
With a .781 season-long picks percentage, here
Farmington Harrison's Aaron Burbridge (top) and Lake Orion's Zach Zott have both helped their respective teams reach the state finals, with Harrison in Division 2 and Lake Orion in Division 1. Staff Photo | Larry McKee, www.lmckeephotography.com
goes the final picks of the year which includes all eight state finals games.
(Last week, 1-0, .1000 pct.; Season: 100-28, .781 pct.)
DIVISION 8: Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart (12-1) vs. Saugatuck (10-3), Friday, 10 a.m.: Sacred Heart has had a great season and they are playing a team with three losses. Saugatuck has put together a nice run, but won’t have the firepower to come out on top here.
Pick: Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart by 10.
DIVISION 2: Lowell (11-0) vs. Farmington Harrison (13-0), Friday, 1 p.m.: Prep football fans got what they wanted, with two premier teams playing for the state title. This could be a classic, with Lowell the defending state champs and Harrison making its 17th appearance in the state finals. Veteran Harrison coach John Herrington has claimed that this is one of the Hawks’ better teams. How many titles will this one be?
Pick: Harrison by 6.
DIVISION 6: Ithaca (13-0) vs. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central (12-1), Friday, 4:30 p.m.: There’s always something magical about a team heading into Ford Field unbeaten and playing for its first state title in the sport. For St. Mary, this will be runner-up trophy No. 3 in a six-year span.
Pick: Ithaca by 7.
DIVISION 4: Grand Rapids Catholic Central (11-2) vs. Williamston (12-1), Friday, 7:30 p.m.: There’s something about the community of Williamston that smells of success. What sport isn’t this school good in these days?
Pick: Williamston by 6.
DIVISION 7: Ishpeming (13-0) vs. Hudson (13-0), Saturday, 10 a.m.: This could be one of the premier matchups of the finals, and the only one that features two unbeaten teams. Hudson’s vaunted offense against the Upper Peninsula’s finest. Is there enough U. P. Power crossing the bridge this weekend?
Pick: Ishpeming by 1.
DIVISION 1: Plymouth (11-2) vs. Lake Orion (12-1), Saturday, 1 p.m.: The community of Lake Orion has waited decades for this moment. Athletics Director William Reiss will be ordering a new banner for the gymnasium wall come Monday morning. Will there be a parade soon at Flint and Broadway?
Pick: Lake Orion by 8.
DIVISION 5: Grand Rapids West Catholic (12-1) vs. Olivet (11-2), Saturday, 4:30 p.m.: The Grand Rapids area is well represented in the state finals this season with four of the 16 teams hailing from that region. And G.R.-town will be hoisting some championship hardware after this one.
Pick: West Catholic by 5.
DIVISION 3: East Grand Rapids (13-0) vs. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (11-2): Haven’t we seen this matchup before? Yes, in fact in both 2009 and 2007, the latter which was the five overtime thriller won by EGR. This should be another classic, although it’s hard to pick against a team going after its fifth straight state title and seventh in nine years.
Pick: East Grand Rapids by 3 in overtime.
(Stick’s Picks is a legend in his own mind. He can be reached through his boss at dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com)
Category: Auburn Hills Avondale, Auburn Hills Oakland Christian, Clarkston, Clarkston Everest Catholic, Editor's Column, Lake Orion, Oxford, Prep Wraps, Publishers Viewpoint, Rochester, Rochester Adams, Rochester Hills Lutheran NW, Rochester Stoney Creek, State Rankings, Troy, Troy Athens, Troy Christian Leadership Acadamy
ADDITIONAL LINKS:
FALL SPORTS
FOOTBALL: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Football&x=12&y=12
SOCCER: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=soccer&x=0&y=0
CROSS COUNTRY: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Cross+country&x=11&y=10
GOLF: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Golf&x=9&y=14
TENNIS: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Tennis&x=13&y=4
VOLLEYBALL: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Volleyball&x=0&y=9
SWIMMING: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Swimming&x=11&y=14
WINTER SPORTS
BASKETBALL: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Basketball&x=13&y=12
WRESTLING: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=wrestling&x=10&y=9
SKIING: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Skiing&x=5&y=14
GYMNASTICS: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Gymnastics&x=10&y=12
HOCKEY: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Hockey&x=11&y=14
SWIMMING: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Swimming&x=11&y=14
BOWLING: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Bowling&x=4&y=13
SPRING SPORTS
BASEBALL: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Baseball&x=16&y=13
SOFTBALL: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Softball&x=8&y=11
TRACK AND FIELD: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=track&x=14&y=11
LACROSSE: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=lacrosse&x=12&y=9
TENNIS: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Tennis&x=13&y=4
GOLF: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Golf&x=9&y=14
SOCCER: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=soccer&x=0&y=0
FALL SPORTS 2011 ALL-AREA TEAMS:
ALL-AREA BOYS CROSS COUNTRY: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/12/20/all-area-boys-cross-country-2011-lead-runners-step-up-to-lead-pack/
ALL-AREA GIRLS GOLF: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/12/20/all-area-girls-golf-2011-tournament-tested-golfers-headline-talented-squad/
ALL-AREA BOYS TENNIS: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/12/19/all-area-boys-tennis-2011-top-flight-players-rule-area-courts/
ALL-AREA GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/12/30/2011-all-north-oakland-area-girls-cross-country-elite-runners-help-set-the-pace/
ALL-AREA GIRLS SWIMMING: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/12/28/2011-all-area-girls-swimming-and-diving-state-champions-all-staters-ride-wave-to-become-region%E2%80%99s-best/
ALL-AREA BOYS SOCCER: http://northoaklandsports.com/2012/01/03/2011-all-north-oakland-area-boys-soccer-team-gifted-players-deliver-on-the-pitch/
ALL-AREA FOOTBALL: http://northoaklandsports.com/2012/01/03/2011-all-north-oakland-area-football-team-explosive-athletes-seasoned-veterans-anchor-grid-iron-squad/
ALL-AREA GIRLS VOLLEYBALL: Dec. 30
SPRING SPORTS 2011 ALL-AREA TEAMS
ALL-AREA BOYS TRACK AND FIELD TEAM: LINK: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/07/06/all-area-boys-track-field-power-speed-highlight-postseason-squad/
ALL-AREA GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD TEAM: LINK: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/07/08/2011-all-area-girls-track-field-team-all-state-athletes-burnt-up-the-grand-oval/
ALL-AREA GIRLS TENNIS TEAM: LINK: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/07/10/2011-all-area-girls-tennis-these-players-made-quite-the-racquet/
ALL-AREA BOYS GOLF TEAM: LINK: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/07/11/2011-all-area-boys-golf-state-champion-oakland-christian-headlines-top-linkers/
ALL-AREA BASEBALL TEAM: LINK: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/07/12/2011-all-area-baseball-diamond-squad-is-armed-and-lethally-dangerous/
ALL-AREA SOFTBALL TEAM: LINK: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/07/15/2011-all-area-softball-all-around-talents-heat-up-the-diamond/
ALL-AREA GIRLS SOCCER TEAM: LINK: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/07/20/2011-all-area-girls-soccer-highly-touted-players-showcased-on-postseason-squad/
ALL-AREA GIRLS LACROSSE TEAM: LINK: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/07/18/2011-all-area-girls-lacrosse-rising-stars-abundant-in-state%E2%80%99s-fastest-growing-sport/
ALL-AREA BOYS LACROSSE TEAM: LINK: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/07/22/2011-all-area-boys-lacrosse-this-group-snatches-the-opposition-in-its-web/
WINTER SPORTS ALL-AREA TEAMS 2010-2011
Below are the links for the 2011 All-Area teams for the winter sports for the 2010-11 season:
ALL-AREA BOYS BASKETBALL: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/04/18/2011-all-area-boys-basketball-coachable-players-help-yield-great-success/
ALL-AREA GIRLS BASKETBALL: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/04/15/2524/
ALL-AREA BOYS-GIRLS SKIING: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/04/18/2011-all-area-ski-team-clarkston-lake-orion-head-up-talented-cast-of-ski-racers/
ALL-AREA BOYS GIRLS BOWLING: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/04/17/2011-all-area-bowling-this-group-knocks-them-down-with-precision/
ALL-AREA WRESTLING: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/03/31/2011-all-area-wrestling-state-champions-head-up-deep-and-talented-group-of-matmen/
ALL-AREA BOYS HOCKEY: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/04/05/2011-all-area-boys-hockey-state-semifinalist-lake-orion-leads-talented-cast-on-the-ice/
ALL-AREA BOYS SWIMMING: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/04/16/2011-all-area-boys-swimming-diving-tankers-glide-to-plenty-of-success/
FALL 2010 ALL-AREA TEAMS:
ALL-AREA FOOTBALL: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/01/21/2010-all-area-football-weapons-on-both-sides-of-the-ball-spark-postseason-accolades/
ALL-AREA GIRLS VOLLEYBALL: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/01/17/2010-all-area-girls-volleyball-this-team-brings-it-all-to-the-floor/
ALL-AREA BOYS SOCCER: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/01/20/2010-all-area-boys-soccer-this-talented-group-has-all-the-accolades-to-prove-worth/
ALL-AREA GIRLS SWIMMING: http://northoaklandsports.com/2010/12/30/2010-all-area-girls-swimming-diving-youth-is-served-in-area-pools/
ALL-AREA GIRLS GOLF: http://northoaklandsports.com/2010/12/07/625/
ALL-AREA BOYS TENNIS: http://northoaklandsports.com/2010/12/15/2010-all-area-boys-tennis-team-this-unit-could-surely-swat-away-the-opposition/
ALL-AREA BOYS CROSS COUNTRY: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/01/19/2010-all-area-boys-cross-country-team-sophomores-pace-pack-of-talented-runners/
ALL-AREA GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/01/19/2010-all-area-girls-cross-country-runners-join-the-front-pack-to-bring-home-accolades/
SPRING 2010 ALL-AREA TEAMS:
ALL-AREA BASEBALL: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-baseball-big-bats-live-arms-headline-postseason-squad-1778.php
ALL-AREA SOFTBALL: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-softball-talented-cast-covers-all-the-bases-1773.php
ALL-AREA GIRLS SOCCER: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-girls-soccer-talented-cast-can-do-it-all-1779.php
ALL-AREA GIRLS TRACK: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-girls-track-field-this-fast-group-more-than-sizzled-up-the-grand-oval-1741.php
http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/2010-all-area-girls-track-and-field-chart-1752.php
ALL-AREA BOYS TRACK: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-boys-track-field-these-thinclads-were-fast-to-the-finish-1750.php
http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-boys-track-field-chart-1751.php
ALL-AREA BOYS GOLF: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-boys-golf-consistency-the-key-for-arearsquos-top-golfers-1765.php
ALL-AREA GIRLS TENNIS: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-girls-tennis-netters-serve-up-the-right-results-1769.php
ALL-AREA BOYS LACROSSE: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-boys-lacrosse-these-players-take-game-to-the-next-level-1774.php
ALL-AREA GIRLS LACROSSE: http://northoaklandsports.com/pages/posts/all-area-girls-lacrosse-talent-level-is-fast-rising-1777.php
WINTER 2009-2010 ALL-AREA TEAMS
ALL-AREA BOYS BASKETBALL: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-boys-basketball-the-kings-of-the-court-have-arrived-1213.php
ALL-AREA GIRLS BASKETBALL: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-girls-basketball-dominant-players-abound-on-hardcourt-1372.php
ALL-AREA WRESTLING: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-wrestling-state-placers-are-the-class-of-this-talented-lineup-1377.php
ALL-AREA BOYS HOCKEY: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-hockey-all-state-honorees-headline-postseason-unit-1297.php
ALL-AREA BOYS SWIMMING: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-boys-swimming-this-talent-pool-makes-a-big-splash-1419.php
ALL-AREA BOYS BOWLING: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-boys-bowling-this-team-knocks-down-the-opposition-1331.php
ALL-AREA GIRLS BOWLING: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-girls-bowling-this-group-found-the-right-alley-1330.php
ALL-AREA BOYS SKIING: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-boys-ski-team-underclassmen-headline-postseason-list-1095.php
ALL-AREA GIRLS SKIING: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-girls-ski-team-these-ski-racers-were-down-hill-in-a-flash-1101.php
FALL 2009 ALL-AREA TEAMS (inaugural launch):
ALL-AREA FOOTBALL: http://northoaklandsports.com/pages/posts/armed-and-dangerous-.-big-offensive-weapons-bone-crushing-hitters-highlight-all-area-football-team-430.php
ALL-AREA GIRLS VOLLEYBALL: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/01/17/flashback-2009-all-area-volleyball-players-hit-their-points-in-the-right-places/
http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/smack-down-all-area-volleyball-players-hit-their-points-in-the-right-places-1738.php
ALL-AREA BOYS SOCCER: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/dream-team-honorees-lead-all-area-boys-soccer-team-1739.php
ALL-AREA GIRLS SWIMMING: http://northoaklandsports.com/2010/12/30/flashback-2009-all-area-girls-swimming-team/
http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/adams-stoney-creek-lead-all-area-girls-swimming-team-286.php
ALL-AREA BOYS CROSS COUNTRY: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/leaders-of-the-pack.frontrunners-head-up-all-area-boys-cross-country-team-279.php
ALL-AREA GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY: http://northoaklandsports.com/2010/12/13/flashback-2009-all-area-girls-cross-country-team-all-american-goethals-leads-talented-all-area-pack-of-runners/
ALL-AREA GIRLS GOLF: http://northoaklandsports.com/2010/12/07/flashback-2009-all-area-girls-golf-team/
http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/super-team-players-highlight-all-area-girls-golf-squad-194.php
ALL-AREA BOYS TENNIS: http://northoaklandsports.com/2010/12/15/flashback-2009-all-area-boys-tennis-powerful-hitters-ace-positions-on-tennis-squad/
http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/powerful-hitters-ace-positions-on-all-area-boys-tennis-squad-337.php
2009-2010 ALL-AREA DIRECTORY: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/season-in-review-2009-10-all-area-teams-directory-1780.php