He would be one of three captains of the 1978 season where the Falcons went 9-0 and earned their first playoff birth against Brother Rice. Nelson Shellenbarger They just have had a ton of success and they have a lot of great players coming back and I'm excited to be part of it.". /*! Birmingham Groves' John Simpson (33) lays in a basket in front of Troy's Zach Penoza (15) in an Oakland Activities Association White Division basketball game on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023. Hey, you yell at your kids too much." But I witnessed several of the girls basketball games the previous year under a different coaching staff and I acknowledge that his level of accountability elevated the entire team.. Photo gallery from South Lyon East at Milford in LVC boys basketball action Coach Simpkins brings to us a wealth of knowledge in the world of basketball from past experiences as a high school head coach to experiences at a high level in the AAU circuit, Groves athletic director Thomas Flynn said. And I said, no, no, no, we cant do this. Looking to challenge his squad, Simpkins scheduled tough non-conference opponents like Detroit Renaissance, Belleville, Cass Tech and Detroit Country Day, while also competing in the OAA Red, the top division in the Oakland Activities Association. Coach is a Chemistry teacher at Groves and lives in Troy with his wife Nicole and 3 sons, Michael, Joseph, and Lucas. What Im saying, even after when I left, and they knew things werent true, they fired me unjustly, and theyre still putting out rumors about me, that arent true thats stopping other schools from picking me up. MomentsMomentsMoments, current page. On 2/24, the Groves varsity basketball team won their home conference game against Troy (MI) by a score of 70-60. Athletic Director, Tom Flynn, tflynn@birmingham.k12.mi.us Athletic Secretary, Diedra Righter, drighter@birmingham.k12.mi.us Follow @GrovesAthletics on Twitter! Simpkins says from early in the season, he received pushback from a small percentage of parents due to playing some underclassmen in featured roles, as opposed to returning veterans. BIRMINGHAM Marc West has come back home to the Birmingham Groves boys basketball program. And it was just time to get the emotion going after that.". John!" Its just crazy.. The parents that actually defamed me, theyre going to have to go back on those statements, because this is stopping me from getting other coaching opportunities in the Metro Detroit area. On 1/31, the Groves varsity basketball team won their away conference game against Troy (MI) by a score of 66-57. We had a future there, and because parents didnt like the way that their child wasnt getting noticed, they sabotaged everything, Simpkins said. This was used as an excuse every time I came to (Flynn) with something, someone being intimidated of me. Where Simpkins makes more direct racial allegations is in regards to some of the verbiage that he says was directed at him by Flynn. The second quarter started with a deep three from the wing by Mason Parker that was assisted from senior Bryce Parker. I honestly think Groves will not have a girls basketball team next year if you keep him and I know most definitely will not allow my child to play, the email continued, accusing Simpkinsof physical, mental and borderline physical abuse. On 2/17, the Groves varsity basketball team lost their away conference game against Lake Orion (MI) by a score of 51-44. The Gorloks defeated the Tigers by a final score of 16-5 to improve to 1-0 on the season. Coming off his first season with Groves girls varsity basketball, head coach Ant-Juan Simpkins planned to build for the future. While West will be traveling to Dearborn to coach, he's happy to maintain his ties to Groves. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Smith called the allegations disturbing to read and encouraged the sender, whose identity was redacted in the FOIA request, to give her a call to discuss it further. I just saw a lot of things that I thought I could bring that would help the team.. 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High School Sports | I dont want you making any decisions to leave here before I leave.. Direct all other inquiries related to discrimination to: Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, 31301 Evergreen Road, Beverly Hills, MI 48025, 248.203.3000. Even more impressive, an almost all-black team had done it, coached by a black man, Will Robinson. You saw that with us tonight.. The only problem? BEVERLY HILLS >> With a 70-60 win over Troy on Friday, Birmingham Groves proved to be equal parts spoiler and contender in the latestage chase for the Oakland Activities Association White Division crown. The Falcons finished the 2021 season 9-9 and earned their first. Before he got to Groves, he made his name on the bench in the Detroit PSL coaching at Detroit King. fort bend marshall football rankings fort bend marshall football rankings I cant say that it was just everyone in the community. The athletic office can be reached by telephone at 248-203-3585 or by email.Any Questions? Henry Ford CC is one of the best JUCO teams in the Midwest. "Hey, you run a college-style practices.". 44 Following. They lost in the Class A district title game to Farmington. To be totally honest, I think I exceeded the expectations, Simpkins said. This is Coach West's 2nd year with the Groves Falcons. The Flying Dutch tallied an 8-1 win over Lawrence Tech on Saturday at DeWitt Tennis Center, improving to 2-2 overall. All rights reserved. Coach grew up in Coldwater, Michigan and is a graduate of Kalamazoo College, majoring in Chemistry. No. 44 Followers. Were some mad that he started some freshmen over some seniors? Coach Simpkins (@Tocoachisahonor) July 1, 2021. Canfield watched his two sons, Mason and Tyler, play under Kurajian during their high school career. That was a high-level basketball game. Birmingham Groves 48 Location: Birmingham Groves High School 20500 West 13 Mile Road Beverly Hills, Michigan Get directions Clarkston Coach: Tim Wasilk Birmingham Groves Coach: Marc West There are currently no comments. This is Coach John Davis' 12th season coaching basketball in the Birmingham Public Schools. When I came in, I knew it was time to go. Marc West returns to prep bench for second, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Marc West returns to prep bench for second stint as Birmingham Groves boys hoops coach, No. Tom told me that a couple of different times, and Im like, Man, I dont want to hear about muscled-up, bald-headed black guy.. I knew my attitude was a little off. West said while slapping the floor. Groves' Donaldson endures recruitment, picks and prepares for Navy, Plymouth's Sam Koehler named cheer Coach of the Year, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Troy may be in position to control its own destiny when it faces West Bloomfield head-to-head next Thursday. Would you like to proceed to legacy Twitter? The coach said it should come as no surprise. Scores. (DAN FENNER For MediaNews Group), Troy's Carter Cusmano (10) takes aim at the basket with Birmingham Groves' Paige Williams (2) closing in defensively in an Oakland Activities Association White Division basketball game on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023. His clubs won a 2016 Class A district championship and raised a 2017 OAA Blue banner. Search querySearch Twitter We played a lot of tough games, but we competed and got better. or visit GrovesFalcons.com I believe we can get that accomplished this year.. But, thats one of the things he tried to change, was our entitled thinking. I always gave my all to the kids only to be challenged every step of the way.. It was not a situation where I had an application out and I wasn't actively searching. ButI'm definitely not looking to travel around and chase a college job like some of these guys have to and moving from state to state.". Hes a special shooter and when he gets it going, its a lot of fun to watch, West said of Gibson. In some ways, he never fully left in the first place. More Friday boys basketball. One of Simpkins biggest issues with how Groves handled his concerns was he alleges they simply turned a blind eye to them. Contact Marty Budner at mbudner@hometownlife.com. Any Questions? 1989 high school basketball player rankings. But once he broke down to his players what he was trying to do, Simpkins saidthe team became very cohesive and adapted to a winning attitude. BEVERLY HILLS With a 70-60 win over Troy on Friday, Birmingham Groves proved to be equal parts spoiler and contender in the late-stage chase for the Oakland Activities Association White Division crown. Simpkins still remains the head coach of the Michigan Storm said he has "unequivocally" turned down offers to discuss returning to the high school level in Oakland County. Both Groves AD Tom Flynn, as well as principal Dr. Susan Smith were reached out to multiple times for a response to Simpkins allegations, but Groves declined comment in a statement from Executive Director of Communications and Family Engagement Anne Cron. "Keeping share the basketball!". We knew we would have to come out and defend (Chase) Kuiper and Mason Parker. The Falcons received a pair of standout performances from sophomores Josh Gibson (25 points) and John Simpson (20 points). Simpkins said Flynn remained on board with the changes, saying he was never reprimanded or counseled on any allegations made. "That's the big thing," West said. Yeah. Lets face it, youre a muscled-up, bald-headed black guy, Simpkins said. Coach Davis and his wife, Noelle, have 2 sons, Aidan and Nolan, who attend Birmingham Public Schools and who will one day be Groves Falcons. Groves went on to a 70-60 win. Lake Orion quickly called a timeout and, once again, coach Marc West delivered the same message he had been delivering to his boys all night. "It was kind of neat to see them play and talk about the game at the college level and see what that opportunity would entail. No result has been reported for the Groves varsity basketball away conference game @ Farmington (MI). "It happened kind of quickly and it was pretty unexpected," he added. As a Varsity Head Coach he is 108-75. (Upset parents) blame me for recruiting and said that they have video of me picking up a kid that doesnt live in our district that I recruited, he said. Simpkins was named head coach for the Groves girls basketball team,after Jessica Wieseler left as she realizedan increased role in her teaching position at Grosse Pointe. How is my presence intimidating? Simpkins said. Ant-Juan Simpkins alleges racial discrimination, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Ant-Juan Simpkins alleges racial discrimination in dismissal from Groves, No. "People would look at the final score tonight and won't see it, but that was a dogfight, and it came right down to it. Catalog; For You; Royal Oak Tribune. Joined April 2018. The D Zone Basketball: Birmingham Groves at Redford Thurston, Friday, 12/09/2022 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM, Redford Thurston High School, 26255 Schoolcraft Avenue, Redford Charter Township, Michigan Flynn or Groves coach Brendan Flaherty could not be reached for further comment Wednesday morning. Just was mistreated for all of it. I thought both teams played very, very well and we just happened to hit a couple more shots, Groves coach Marc West said after his team defeated Troy for the second time this season. I think we have a chance to win the OAA, Simpkins said. After four years as boys basketball head coach at Birmingham Groves, West resigned to accept an assistant coaching job at Henry Ford College in Dearborn. 20500 W. 13 Mile Rd. highest paid college coaches all sports Tatko na pesmaricu. Members of GSC are elected in school-wide elections. Directions Ten days before Simpkins dismissal, Smith emailedthe team's parentsseeking feedbackafter she and Flynn had spoken briefly with each player about her experience with the season, FOIAemails show. Simpkins took over a Groves team that went 10-11 in the 2019-20 season before losing in the opening round of the district tournament. Last year, the Hawks were ranked among the top 20 nationally in NJCAA Division II before finishing with a 23-8 record and earning an honorable mention ranking. Junior forward Jacob Groves shoots the ball during the game against Butler University on Dec. 7, 2021. Past . 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