Bloomfield Hills and North Farmington, two of the top boys basketball clubs in the area, both took blows to their respective lineups recently, losing players to injuries until after the holiday vacation.

Blackhawks all-league senior forward Khalil Gracey tweaked his ankle last week in practice and missed Bloomfield Hills' game Thursday, a 46-45 upset loss at the hands of Rochester.

North Farmington second-year starting forward Alex Darden, one of the best two-sport athletes in Oakland County, suffered a hairline fracture of his wrist Thursday night in the Raiders' 66-41 thumping of Pontiac on an ethically-questionable foul, where the Phoenix player whistled for it was subsequently benched for the remainder of the game.

Darden, only a sophomore and already a Division I baseball recruit (crafty 6-foot-4 lefty hurler), will be fine for his spring duties on the mound.

Last year as a fab frosh, Darden started on North Farmington's varsity cage and diamond squads, helping lead each to a Class A district championship.

The Raiders are currently 3-0.

Gracey, also an elite two-sport standout (star wide receiver on the football field as well), scored 17 points in Bloomfield Hills' 69-60 defeat of a very good Milan team on the road last weekend and then got hurt in practice the following day.

He's been the glue that binds the Blackhawks 'Big 3' and has a pair of district and league title-patches on his letter jacket.

Bloomfield Hills is 3-1 after Thursday's loss.

Burney wishes Mr. Smooth aka Khalil and "Deathstar Darden" aka Alex a quick recovery!!!

See ya soon, BOYZ!!.....and considering the Blackhawks and the Raiders are expected to be a pair of the frontrunners in the race for the OAA Red, they'll be seeing each other soon (on the court that is), too