1. Southfield-Lathrup
The Chargers enter the 2012-2013 season as the best team in Oakland County thanks in large part to three high-profile transfers into Lathrup for the upcoming season, including Sydni Davis (West Bloomfield), Sabria Cotton (Troy), and Asia King (Pontiac). But don't forget about some of the players that are back with the Chargers from last season's squad, including Erica Longmire as well as one of the best inside players in the county Christina Green.
2. Birmingham Detroit Country Day
This season's Yellowjacket's squad is going to have a much different look to it than in year's past as Country Day won't have Aerial Powers or Amber Deane leading the way. But the Yellowjackets will have other "stars in the making" running things this season with Asia Doss, Brittany Washington and Tiana Glimpse hoping to lead the Yellowjackets to yet another regional title this fall.
3. Rochester Adams
The Highlanders will be a team that will be more than difficult to score against as Adams will have three players who are either at, or close to six feet tall, including sophomores Raiven Owusu, who poured in 20 points in the season opener and 17 more against Groves on Friday, and Amber Jamison who registered 19 points and 16 rebounds in the win over Groves. With seniors Brittany Boyle and Katie Milke and junior Jenny Rosonke Adams is built for both short team and long term success and could be a sleeper team come playoff time.
4. Farmington Hills Mercy
Much like Adams, Mercy is built for both short and long term success. The Marlins will have a group that is built from almost all juniors this season, which includes one of the area's top point guards in Candice Leatherwood and sharp-shooter Allie Gorcyca as well as one of the best defenders in Oakland County in Sam Bauer. Look for a number of other underclassmen to help lead the Marlins this year, with Sierra LeGrande and sophomore transfer Sierra Wangler (Royal Oak Shrine).
5. Clarkston
The Wolves will feature one of the best backcourts that Oakland County will have to offer this winter, with four year starter Delaney Kenny and Erin Davenport, who should be able to handle the majority of the scoring for Clarkston this fall. But don't sleep on the Clarkston frontcourt, which will have one of the area's top young post players in Erika Davenport along with a strong junior rotation helping with some defense and rebounding.
6. Stoney Creek
It will be a challenge for the Cougars to make-up for the loss of Gabby Yurik, but Stoney Creek has some sharpshooters on the roster once again. In the season opener against Utica, the Cougars buried 11 3-pointers on the night, four coming from Maria Zandi and Lauren Voss and two more coming from Natalie Voss. It will be a work in progress for Stoney Creek at times this winter, but with three sharpshooters on board, the Cougars are capable of beating just about anyone at anytime.
7. Royal Oak
With star guard Sami Stormont back for her senior year, the Ravens will be another team that is capable of beating just about any team on its schedule this season. Stormont was already in midseason form in the season opener as she scored 34 points to lead Royal Oak to a win over Walled Lake Northern. But there will be a strong supporting cast along with Stormont, including Ashley Krenzer, who poured in 12 points in the opener, and Bella Leone who scored nine in the second game of the year on Friday.
8. Rochester
It wasn't an ideal start to the season for the Falcons after falling to Oxford to start the season, but Rochester will be one of the area's top defensive squads, and has proven just that in the opening week. The Falcons limited Oxford to just 35 points on Tuesday and then held Lake Orion to 27 points on Friday. Rochester will have a few go-to scorers, including Aubrey Konal, who poured in 13 points to lead the Falcons to their first win, but the defense will win plenty of games for them this season.
9. Waterford Out Lady of the Lakes
It'd be hard not to include the defending Class D state champions, who will be in search of a fourth straight state title this winter. The Lakers will have a trio of players who will be shooting for a fourth state title ring in Lexie Robak, Ava Doetsch and Jessica Parry along with junior Anna Robb, which will account for four of one of the most experienced starting fives in the state. It's definitely not out of the question to think that Lakes could win its fourth straight state title for just the second time in state history.
10. Waterford Kettering
The Captains lost plenty of key senior contributors off of last year's squad, but should once again be the favorite to win the KLAA North division this winter. Senior forward Shelby Watts should help lead the way for Kettering, who should once again be one of the top defensive team's in Oakland County. Look for senior guard Taylor Steinhelper to help pace the offense along with a handful of other new starters this year for the Captains.
10 More to keep an eye out for (No Order)
Oxford
Auburn Hills Avondale
Birmingham Seaholm
Southfield
South Lyon East
Bloomfield Hills Andover
Pontiac
Waterford Mott
Walled Lake Western
Novi
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