Naming the best

By Mike Moore
C & G Sports Writer

Photos by Patricia O’Blenes Farmington High junior Erikk Scott awaits a throw to second during a game in this year’s district playoffs. Scott was one of four Falcons named to the All-Association team in the Blue Division.

Oakland Activities Association names its top baseball players after successful
season

From the start of the year to the very last pitch, most agreed that the baseball competition in the Oakland Activities Association was as good as it gets, from top to bottom.

The realignment done prior to the start of the 2009 season more evenly paired teams within each division, creating an atmosphere that had just about everyone confident that a league title was within reach.

With the season now officially in the books, and those division races contested right down to the bitter end, the OAA has released its list of All-Association players.

Red Division

Some considered the Red Division one of the deepest in the state this season, and when things wrapped up, it was Lake Orion High sitting atop the throne with an 11-2 record. The Dragons placed five players — including Vinnie Booker, Eric Knoblock, Phil Serzo, Kyle Rosen and Matt Fish —  on the All-Association team.

Others representing the Red Division are Steve Bohne, Donovan Rigel, Brian Portelli and Adam Purcilly, Auburn Hills Avondale; Kyle Casadei, Nick Druzinski, Andrew Waszak and Ryan Strum, Rochester Adams; Sam Kilberg and Brandon Taylor, Rochester High; Chris Gerbera and Matt Farber, Troy High; Mike Hash and Tony Menzo, Rochester Hills Stoney Creek; Chris Mocerino, Clarkston High; and Ira Land, Troy Athens.

Blue Division

The largest of the three OAA Divisions, the Blue comprised 10 teams. None, however, found a way to beat Birmingham Seaholm. The Maples captured the crown with a perfect 13-0 record and placed Ryan Miller, Greg Schwartz, Keaton Aldridge, Tyler Haggerson and Jack Quigley on the All-Association team.

Others named to the squad are Jamey Sackett, Josh Smith, Brad Seid and Jake Balbas, Beverly Hills Groves; Steve Pelletier Justin Young, Kyle Sutton and Dallas Sutton, Farmington Hills Harrison; Joel Fisher, Erikk Scott, Dan Pochmara and Matt Pochmara, Farmington High; Fred Sharp, Danny Deutsch and James Long, North Farmington; Ted Newhouser, Eric Altman and Taka Fukui, West Bloomfield High; James Englehart and Eddie Murray, Royal Oak High; Ben Nusholtz, Berkley High; Max Gordon, Bloomfield Hills Andover; and Luke Dauch, Birmingham Lahser.

White Division

The White Division may have been the most closely contested in the OAA, as Southfield-Lathrup and Ferndale High each finished with 11-1 records and tied for the division title.

Those earning All-Association spots are Thomas Burrell, James Moore, Darius Woods, Davion Luttrell and Thurman Hall, Lathrup; Sederick Dunbar, Noah Reiter, Marc Murphy, Josh Allen and Joseph Arocho, Ferndale; Maurice Davenport, Antwon Robinson, Everett Cole and Evan Humes, Southfield High; John Hendrick, Ralph Hopkins and Ty Beaudrie, Hazel Park High; Thomas Maricio, Miguel Aguilar, Kylo Talley, Pontiac Northern; Kendrick Jackson, Oak Park High; and Jacques Pryor, Pontiac Central.

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Mike Moore at mmoore@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1038.