West Bloomfield Adds Girls Field Hockey Team

New high school pay-to-play program could make the school district more competitive and keep more students in the district, athletic director says.

Girls varsity field hockey will take the field at West Bloomfield High School for the first time next fall. The move was made in response to interest from more than 20 students, said Pat Watson, athletic director and assistant principal. Watson also hopes field hockey will keep kids who may consider a transfer to nearby schools in the district instead. "Numerous young ladies over the past three months have expressed interest," Watson said Monday night during the West Bloomfield Board of Education meeting. "Overall, it will help with the marketing and branding we're trying to do with the athletic department. Keep in mind that our neighboring schools, such as Farmington, and every single private school offers field hockey." The team will be …

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Inaugural Lakers Lacrosse Season Ends in Playoffs

No. 4-ranked Marian routs inexperienced girls varsity Lakers team on Wednesday night in the first round of Division 1 regionals.

TROY – There wasn’t a single Mustang left behind on Wednesday in the opening round of the girls lacrosse regionals at Troy High School. With the exception of its goalie, every single one of Marian’s 18 active players scored at least once in a 31-1 win over West Bloomfield. “I’ve never had that happened before,” coach Jamie Francek said. “It was pretty cool, it was nice for everyone to get a chance,” It was a statement win for a team looking to avenge a close 12-11 lose to Brighton in the Division 1 semifinals last season. Francek wasn’t on the sidelines for that he game — he coached the Mustangs from 2000-2003 and is back with the team this year — but he’s seen first hand on a daily basis how last year’s the playoff exit drove his team. …

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Lakers' Kus Strikes Out 14 in Losing Effort

The West Bloomfield softball team fell 4-3 and 3-1 in a doubleheader on the road to Oakland Activities Association White division leader Troy Athens on Wednesday.

TROY – Athens shortstop Melissa Palmer earned some bragging rights over her future college teammate on Wednesday. Palmer did a little bit of everything to help the Red Hawks sweep West Bloomfield in a doubleheader 4-3 and 3-1 to secure first place in the Oakland Activities Association White division. The senior’s big day at the plate came at the expense of Lakers senior starting pitcher Allyson Kus, who she’ll be taking the field with next year at Western Michigan University. “When we get Melissa on base, we score, “Athens coach Dave Marr said. “She’s been thrown out on the bases only one time this entire year. She turns routine base running into big plays.” In game one, Palmer led off the seventh inning with a single. She proceeded to …

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DeYoung, Hartfelder Lead Lakers Baseball Team

Dangerous lineup makes the Lakers a contender for Oakland Activities Association White title this season.

When West Bloomfield High School varsity baseball coach Eric Pierce fills out his batting order before games he feels like a kid at a candy store. “One through nine we can hit with anybody,” he said.  The Lakers are bringing back some of their top hitters from the 2011 season, including All-OAA selection Timo DeYoung and Joey Hartfelder. DeYoung is the team’s starting catcher and a two-year captain. As a junior, he was one of the top hitters in the Oakland Activities Association, with a batting average well over .400. “He’s our best hitter,” Pierce said. “He’s a fantastic player and team leader. He has tremendous power to the gaps and extra-base power.” Hartfelder will bat at the No. 4 spot for West Bloomfield. Pierce said the senior also …

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Nominate Now: Athletes of the Winter Season

Get nominations in by 5 p.m. Friday for consideration for Patch's Athlete of the Season polls for the winter season!

Patch  will launch its Athlete of the Season polls for Oakland County next week, and it's time for family members, teammates and coaches to nominate their choices for West Bloomfield's top winter athlete. After the nominations are in, Patch editors will review them. Parents, teammates, fans or coaches may nominate athletes until 5 p.m. Friday in two ways: Please give as much detailed information as possible on why the nominee is a deserving candidate for the award. If you have any questions about the nomination process, feel free to email Patch sportswriter Mike Niziolek. Winners from our weekly polls are automatically considered for this Patch Athlete of the Season recognition. In West Bloomfield, there have been several athletes in the …

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Lakers Coach Keeps NFL Dream Despite Challenges

Wide receiver Greg Raspberry goes into an organized workout session with NFL scouts later this month after a lifetime of preparation.

Greg Raspberry's path to stardom in the National Football League may have taken a detour through West Bloomfield Schools, but he's a better player for it. Raspberry, 24, recently finished his first year as Orchard Lake Middle School's seventh grade boys basketball team head coach (record: 12-1) after working in the fall as an assistant coach on the West Bloomfield High School varsity football team as well as head coach of the Lakers' freshman football team (record: 8-1). He's done it with a smile on his face, although he'd be the first to say that he'd prefer to be on the field.  Raspberry hasn't played much since the 2011 NFL lockout cut short a chance to showcase his talents at an organized workout session in front of NFL scouts. However…

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Wrestling Finals Kick off for Lakers, Eaglets

The Palace of Auburn Hills will host MHSAA varsity individual bouts all day long.

Looking to keep up with your favorite in prep sports action today? Check out what's on the schedule for high school athletes from West Bloomfield for Thursday, March 1. Wrestling Volleyball Boys basketball Wrestling Wrestling

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St. Mary's Hockey Continues in Regional Tournament

The Eaglets host North Farmington while girls basketball also continues in its regional tournament.

Looking to keep up with your favorite in prep sports action today? Check out what's on the schedule for high school athletes from West Bloomfield for Wednesday, Feb. 29. Wrestling Wrestling Girls basketball Ice hockey

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On the Schedule

Senior Night for West Bloomfield Boys Hoops

The Lakers host Pontiac Tuesday night, while Frankel Jewish Academy hosts Ann Arbor Greenhills.

Looking to keep up with your favorite in prep sports action today? Check out what's on the schedule for high school athletes from West Bloomfield for Tuesday, Feb. 28. Wrestling Wrestling Boys basketball Boys basketball

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On the Schedule

Hockey and Hoops Tournaments Kick off in West Bloomfield

Orchard Lake St. Mary's ice hockey team hosts Birmingham Unified in a regional tournament while the Lakers girls basketball team takes on Mercy at home.

Looking to keep up with your favorite in prep sports action today? Check out what's on the schedule for high school athletes from West Bloomfield for Monday, Feb. 27. Volleyball Girls basketball Ice hockey Girls basketball

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