The Falcons finished with a 10-11 record this past season, falling to Southfield Arts and Technology in the first round of district play. It was a plan that Simpkinsand Groves Athletic Director Thomas Flynn, seemed on board about, or so he thought. "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. That showed during the district tournament.. I said, This is nonsense. I had some great guys to get to know. It was not a situation where I had an application out and I wasn't actively searching. More:How Cameron Little is making a big impact for Birmingham Groves' girls basketball team. Coming into the Groves job, Simpkins had two goals: change the culture and develop the skills of his players, believing the combination of the two would lead to a winning program. "(Henry Ford) had a really, really good season last year," West said. Coach grew up in Coldwater, Michigan and is a graduate of Kalamazoo College, majoring in Chemistry. Student Drop-Off / Pick-Up and Visitor Parking, Specialized Instruction & Student Services, Blackboard Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated). Tweets. (DAN FENNER For MediaNews Group), Groves powers past Troy with help from Gibsons 25-point performance. /*! Simpkins coached Groves to their first. To be totally honest, I think I exceeded the expectations, Simpkins said. Simpkins, alsothe head coach of the Michigan Storm AAU 2024 girls basketball team,heard the early complaints. Taking over a River Rouge team that had lost to Dearborn Divine Child in the first round of the 2017 playoffs, Simpkins completely flipped the Panthers back into contention, ending the 2018 season with 18 wins, a conference title in the Michigan Metro Athletic Conferenceand a district title. We played a lot of tough games, but we competed and got better. 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And to really enjoy playing together.". Coming off his first season with Groves girls varsity basketball, head coach Ant-Juan Simpkins plannedto build for the future. "At the end of the season, I had a chance to talk with a couple of other guys on their coaching staff and see what their interest was and kind of what my interest was at the college level and what role I could play with their staff,"West said. Simpkins has been actively pursuing getting a new coaching job at the high school level, but is finding his experience at Groves to be a roadblock. Contact Marty Budner at mbudner@hometownlife.com. More:Groves' Donaldson endures recruitment, picks and prepares for Navy, More:Plymouth's Sam Koehler named cheer Coach of the Year. The parent responded, thanking her for the conversation while telling Smith, "if this coach finds out that I spoke with you before the season ends it will be some type of retaliation and my child already comes home in tears" every day. In the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, Simpkins said he plans to meet with parents and players over Zoom to go over expectations and to get the ball rolling for the 2020-21 season. Our Team Brian Cygan, Co-Founder, CEO Gerianne Cygan, Co-Founder, Administrative Director Brad Bundy, COO Kevin McKee, Franchise Support Manager T.J. Lux, Franchise Support Manager John Suazo, Franchise Support Manager Exercise Coach Studio Owners It was the first time in 37 years that a team from the Detroit Public School League had won a state championship, due to a self-imposed exile in 1930. JV Head Coach John Davis This is Coach John Davis' 12th season coaching basketball in the Birmingham Public Schools. Coach Simpkins (@Tocoachisahonor) July 1, 2021. Coach grew up in Coldwater, Michigan and is a graduate of Kalamazoo College, majoring in Chemistry. White's final squad featured five starters who were seniors. His clubs won a 2016 Class A district championship and raised a 2017 OAA Blue banner. Yelder picked up his third foul and was sent to the bench. Groves announced on Monday that it has hired Alison Hidey to take over the girls basketball program. New everything. More Friday boys basketball. Its just crazy.. Scores. Along with the practices, allowing players to gel together as a team, he said he will volunteer his time at other points for individual development. They sabotaged everything, and I dont like the way that the district did myself and other employees that were there. 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. I was told when I was hired that they were looking for more exposure for their kids and skill development. West was basically inheriting a brand new team without a ton of varsity experience. That's how the game works when you're playing it the right way.". "I knew what I had to do for my team," said Yelder, who scored a team-best 16 points. They are trying to assassinate my character.. One emailread that while this parents daughter had a positive experience as a student-athlete onGroves, it was difficult to watch Simpkins courtside. Please feel free to contact us. (DAN FENNER For MediaNews Group), 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. Simpkins said Flynn remained on board with the changes, saying he was never reprimanded or counseled on any allegations made. The time away from his family just got to be too much. Watch this highlight video of the Groves (Beverly Hills, MI) basketball team in its game Birmingham Groves vs West Bloomfield Game Highlights - Jan. 20, 2023 on Jan 20, 2023. Issued a letter on April 22 from Groves Athletic Director Tom Flynn that Simpkins would not have his coaching appointment renewed for a second year, Flynn stated that the dismissal stemmed from performance, as well as concerns brought forward from program student-athletes and parents. All rights reserved. How is my presence intimidating? Simpkins said. Media. Birmingham Groves boys basketball gets first OAA-White win in West's return to the bench The Falcons went on a 17-0 run in the fourth quarter to earn a comeback win over Lake Orion. 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. Hunter Dyke | The Ann. Sign In; Football; Boys Basketball; Girls Basketball; News. Simpkins job as a real estate broker forced him to leave River Rouge after one season, continuing on as a coach with the Michigan Storm, an AAU travel team. (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. He also has a Master's in Science Education from Wayne State University. Lets let everyone know exactly what happened.. 44 Following. Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. Yeah. And the handful of hustle plays on defense the junior made during Thursday's 41-29 victory over. Elijah Yelder shouted so loudly you probably could've heard him while standing in line at the concession stand. 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. The Falcons finished the 2021 season9-9 andearnedtheir first district title since 1988 after beating Southfield Arts and Technology and Berkley in the playoffs. I have proof to back up everything Im saying. The Webster Groves Board of Education approved Mathes' hiring as the Statesmen's next boys basketball coach Monday night. And those particular parents, Im not going to mention their names, they know who they are, Simpkins said. West takes back the reins of the Falcons'. Coach holds a Bachelors of Business Administration from Detroit College of Business and a Masters in Education from Central Michigan University. Groves hired its next head coach for the girls basketball program, announcing Allison Hidey a former Dearborn Divine Child assistant coach who played college basketball at University of Michigan Dearborn to the post. However, they would go on to defeat Southfield A&T and Berkley in the district tournament, winning the first district title in over 30 years. The D Zone Football: Birmingham Groves (Varsity) North Farmington at Birmingham Groves, 08/25 7:00 PM, Warren Mott at Birmingham Groves, 10/28 7:00 PM, Birmingham Groves at Rochester, 10/07 7:00 PM, Birmingham Groves at Seaholm, 11/04 7:00 PM, Berkley at Birmingham Groves, 10/14 7:00 PM, Bir. Members of GSC are elected in school-wide elections. Im here for the long haul. "We moved up to the White Division and competed real well, got to 10 wins again, and we had a tremendous win in districts when we were able to beat North Farmington in double overtime. MaxPreps is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Birmingham Groves vs Lake Orion Game Highlights - Jan. 26, 2023, Birmingham Groves vs University Game Highlights - Jan. 23, 2023, Birmingham Groves vs West Bloomfield Game Highlights - Jan. 20, 2023, Birmingham Groves vs Adams Game Highlights - Jan. 17, 2023. Coach is a Chemistry teacher at Groves and lives in Troy with his wife Nicole and 3 sons, Michael, Joseph, and Lucas. fort bend marshall football rankings fort bend marshall football rankings One of Simpkins biggest issues with how Groves handled his concerns was he alleges they simply turned a blind eye to them. 20500 W. 13 Mile Rd. After four years as boys basketball head coach at Birmingham Groves, West resigned to accept an assistant coaching job at Henry FordCollege in Dearborn. And that was unfair.. There will be no tolerance for discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information, disability or age. NCAA Men's Basketball; Maui Invitational; Coaches Vs. Cancer College Hoops ; Chaminade Silverswords; National Invitation Tournament; NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament: NCAA Midwest Regional; Las Vegas Invitational; Ncaa Regional Championship; Pepsi Blue And Gold Classic; Hula Bowl; Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl; Whitney Young Classic; Sugar . Im totally amazed that Groves would hired a thug to run the girls basketball team, a Feb. 28 email, acquired by Hometown Life via the Freedom of Information Act, read. Judging by Groves' comeback, he's got a lot of guys to choose from. PressReader. 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. 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 Why are you allowing me to take this abuse?. Tweets & replies. Jacob is producing on the second unit, thanks to his movement off the ball. Groves went on to a 70-60 win. (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. Men's basketball is the oldest sport in HFC's athletic program, which has captured numerous state and regional titles. 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.". Past . The 6-foot-9 junior averaged 7.7 points in 14.3 minutes per game during OU's last three contests while shooting 66.7% from the floor. Please feel free to contact us. New players. I cant make a statement like this unless I know Im right, he said. The Falcons finished the 2021 season 9-9 and earned their first. While sitting on the bench, I knew my team was struggling and needed my help. Simpkins alleges that his appearance was a frequent excuse as for why he was receiving harassment from parents. "Keeping share the basketball!". While playing at Groves, he would lead the Falcons to League Championships in 1977 & 78 and an 18-10 record in his three years on varsity. 3 North Farmington uses third-quarter explosion to end Ferndales OAA Red reign, Photo gallery from Ferndale at North Farmington in OAA Red boys basketball action, South Lyon East topples Milford to keep LVC title race complicated, Photo gallery from South Lyon East at Milford in LVC boys basketball action, 2023 MHSAA boys basketball district pairings for Oakland Countys teams, Rochester Hills mom who lost 2 sons to fentanyl poisoning to testify Tuesday before U.S. congressional subcommittee, Woman: Drug friend, lover killed long-time boyfriend, WWJ anchor, Oakland Schools Scripps Regional Spelling Bee 2023 contestants, 2023 MHSAA boys basketball district pairings for Oakland County's teams, Brother of slain WWJ radio anchor questions motive after testimony given in key hearing, Milford finishes fourth at D1 regional, punching ticket to state finals for first time in 29 years, Man sentenced for OD deaths of Kiessling brothers, teen girl, Royal Oak to recommend changes to controversial parking system, Lions target CB, LB in Mel Kiper's latest mock draft, Search of speeding motorists car turns up weapon, fake Social Security cards, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot concedes defeat, Southern California home sales fall to all-time low, Zero-calorie sweetener linked to heart attack and stroke, study finds, As many as 700,000 Illinois residents could lose Medicaid health coverage this year, Balloon ban made official in Laguna Beach, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. 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