The Bloomfield Hills boys and girls varsity basketball teams recently began their 2024-2025 seasons. After weeks of tryouts and preparation, both teams are in full swing and ready to get to work. The teams have shown success and improvement over the years and hope to have an impactful season this winter.
Brian Canfield, hired in the summer of 2022, is in his third season as the head coach of the boys’ varsity team. After going 15-8 in his first season and 7-18 in his second season, Canfield and the team look forward to a successful season.
The boys opened the season strong, defeating Seaholm on November 26 with a score of 42-38. Most notably, Da’ron Mason scored 14 points, tallied 4 rebounds, and 2 assists, helping the Black Hawks take down the Maples.
The boys kept it rolling on December 3, after winning against Troy Athens in a 46-39 game. Sophomore Carter Canfield had a strong game, putting up 17 points and 1 assist. Da’ron Mason kept up his dominant performance scoring 17 points and 10 rebounds, a double-double for the junior.
The team has aspirations for this season. “The main team goal of the season is to focus on playing our identity, which is playing tough and controlled while winning games,” Mason said.
Mason believes that the team can go far with its many strengths. “We have a lot of IQ and togetherness,” he said.
Coach Brown and the girls’ varsity team are ready to unleash. They also opened their season recently and are looking to pick up where they left off last year.
The girls are coming off a very successful past season, during which they were back-to-back league champions and won the district championship. With only five new varsity players, the team is holding onto many of the same key strengths that helped contribute to its prosperity and predicts that it will once again win its league.
When asked about the dynamics of this team and how they’ve changed in the past, senior Kaynna Jordan said, “It’s a younger team than before, but we have stronger leadership than ever.”
The team’s most significant strengths lie in shooting and defense, and they are heavily focused on improving their offensive communication. At the varsity home opener on December 2, they faced St. Mary’s but fell short by 10 points and lost 42-52.
Bri Young ended the game with a double-double, scoring 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 steals against St. Marys. Two days later, on December 3, she committed to Schoolcraft College, where she’ll continue her basketball career.
Black Hawk basketball is off to an excellent start for the winter season. With their high ambition for success and dedication, these talented athletes can go far in this year’s MHSAA playoffs.
