Rochester Senior and McDonald's All American Honored with Sendoff

James Young honored at ceremony at Rochester High School gymnasium.

Submitted by Patrick Sullivan The Rochester High School gymnasium was filled with cheers again Tuesday afternoon as the boys basketball team, cheerleaders, athletic staff and McDonald's representatives held a good luck sendoff for Rochester senior and Michigan's only 2013 McDonald's All American, James Young. After a bright high school career that culminated with Rochester's first region title since 1950, Young was selected as one of just 24 boys basketball players from across the nation to compete in the McDonald's All American Games, April 3 at the United Center in Chicago. The All American honor is well earned, according to those who know Young. "It's not everyday that you have a McDonald's All-American walk through your doors," …

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Congrats, Falcons: You're District Champs!

Rochester High School advances to regionals next week.

The Rochester High School Falcons are district basketball champions. Rochester beat host Sterling Heights Stevenson 56-34 Friday night. This is the Falcons' first district title since 1988, according to a report on NorthOaklandSports.com. Rochester, now 19-4, will play Romeo at 7 p.m. Monday at West Bloomfield to start the regional play. Romeo beat undefeated Adams High School on Friday night to win that district.

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Harlem Globetrotter to Present Award to Owen Groesser of Rochester Hills

Owen Groesser, student at Van Hoosen Middle School with Down syndrome, was highlighted by ESPN after scoring two three-pointers in the season's final home basketball game.

Harlem Globetrotter Buckets Blakes will present the Globetrotter Junior Phenom Award to Rochester Hills student and basketball sensation Owen Groesser 10 a.m. Friday at Van Hoosen Middle School. Groesser, in the last home game of the Van Hoosen Middle School basketball season, sank two three-point shots in his two minutes of playing time.  Groesser, an eighth grade student with Down syndrome, had not played in a single game for his school's basketball team all season. He earned national spotlight with a trending Twitter campaign (#GetOwenOnSportsCenter) and a highlight on ESPN SportsCenter's Top Plays for scoring those two three-point shots. For this, he receives the Harlem Globetrotter Junior Phenom Award. The award celebrates individuals…

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Patrick McKay

11:59 am on Friday, January 25, 2013

A special thank you and recognition to his team mates, coaches, and to his opponents who knew how to create a magical moment for a special student. You have taught all of us a great lesson about sportsmanship. Patrick McKay   more ›

Vote Now: Patch Athlete of the Week, Feb. 27-March 2

Vote for your favorite prep sports athlete in Oakland County or write in an athlete you think deserves recognition. You have until Friday at 9 a.m. to register your vote!

Vote here to help choose the Patch Athlete of the Week of Oakland County for the week ending March 2. Last week’s poll winner was Vtech Fuchs, a member of the Royal Oak swim team. Vote for one of the following or write in your own candidate in the comments: Nick Gajdzik, Stoney Creek High School (wrestling): At the individual MHSAA wrestling state finals, Gajdzik won the Division 1 title in the 215 pound weight class with a 2-1 win over Temperance Bedford senior Logan Rimmer. He won all four of his matches at The Palace of Auburn Hills to finish the season a perfect 46-0. Micaela Ellis, Ferndale High School (girls basketball): Ferndale’s point guard Micaela Ellis helped lead her squad through the Livonia Clarenceville district last week. …

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High School Sports Highlights

Friday Highlights: Andover Girls Stun Ferndale in Basketball

Shannon Wilson helps the Barons clinch sole possession of first place with game-winning layup in final seconds; Troy Athens boys fall to Farmington; Clawson boys finish regular season with win.

* home team in CAPS Andover over FERNDALE, 54-53 Shannon Wilson did it again. On the final day of the regular season, the sophomore hit a game-winning layup with six seconds on the clock to give Bloomfield Hills Andover (18-2; 15-1 Oakland Activities Association Blue) a 54-53 victory over Ferndale High School on Friday night. The Ferndale Eagles turned over the ball under the Andover Barons' basket with 10 seconds to go up 53-52. Lexi Sinclair tipped the ball and Wilson cut in front of the intended target. Wilson’s layup did more than just win her team the game – it also clinched sole possession of the OAA Blue division title. “It’s very exciting,” Barons coach Jeff Rubin said. “Shannon probably played her worst game of the season, but boy…

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High School Sports Highlights

Friday Basketball Highlights: Wild Night Turns Division Standings Upside Down

Troy beats Ferndale 62-59 to even score in Oakland Activities Association White division; buzzer beater sinks Lahser 47-46 in key Gold matchup against Royal Oak; Andover holds on to beat Groves 61-59.

* Home team in all CAPS Troy over FERNDALE 62-59 An unlikely hero has Troy back in the running for an Oakland Activities Association White division title. Senior Larry Sylvester buried a 3-pointer with 50.2 seconds left against Ferndale on Friday night to give his team a 58-56 lead. Troy (12-5; 6-1 OAA White) held on in the final minute to escape with a 62-59 win, evening the season series between the schools. Both teams are now tied atop the OAA White at 6-1 with three games left to play. Colts coach Gary Fralick sent Sylvester, who played limited minutes, into the game to provide leading scorer James Young an option on the wing in case Ferndale (12-5; 6-1 OAA White) prevented him from getting to the rim. Young attacked the basket, but …

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Rochester Finishes Strong in 49-42 Win Over Troy Athens

Paris Pereria’s strong fourth quarter helps the Falcons win a key Oakland Activities Association Blue game on the road Friday night.

TROY – Paris Pereria was Rochester’s closer on Friday night. The senior guard was dominant in the final minutes of the Rochester High School Falcons' 49-42 win at Athens High School. He scored eight straight points down the stretch to help his team hold off the Red Hawks in a key Oakland Activities Association Blue division game. “He’s a warrior,” Rochester coach John Pleasant said. “He battles. That’s why he should be playing at the next level next year; he’s undersized, but his heart is huge. He finishes with contact and he’s done a lot for us.” Pereria’s skills were on full display in the final three minutes. With the Falcons up 39-36, he used his quickness to push the ball up the court and score fast break layups on three consecutive …

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High School Sports Highlights

Friday Highlights: Berkley, Royal Oak Girls Basketball Win Again

Defense propels Bears to win on Friday; Sami Stormont goes for 19 points in Ravens' win over Southfield.

Updated 6 p.m. Sunday * home team in all caps ROYAL OAK over Southfield, 41-23 Royal Oak’s defense helped them win a battle against Southfield for a share of the Oakland Activities Association lead on Friday. The Ravens won 41-23 and are now 10-1 (7-1 OAA Blue).  Southfield is now 7-3 (7-1 OAA Blue).  “It took a total team effort on the defensive end to limit Southfield to 23 points,” Ravens coach Brian Sopata said. Junior guard Sami Stormont had 19 points and 11 rebounds. Senior center Mariah Gardziola added 13 points and 10 rebounds. Camri Cook had 10 points to lead Southfield. Berkley over OAK PARK 44-9  Berkley won its fourth straight game with a strong defensive effort on Friday night. It held Oak Park to under 10 points in a 44-9 win…

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