Here's a look at a few local boys basketball clubs that are making a believer out of Burney with their performances on the hardwood this month:

Farmington (3-1) – Slaying PSL dragon and defending Class A district-champ Detroit Cass Tech Friday, the Falcons are flying high and firing on all cylinders. Austin Thompson is steady at the point, diaper dandy soph Jordan Graham is a fast-emerging star on the wing, Justin Banks is a beast on the blocks, good for a double-double every night and the "Cookie Monster" Ryan Coucke is an underrated sniper from downtown. Alex Manassa and Malik Williams are tought-to-handle, too.

AH Avondale (3-2) – As long as Tim Morton is pacing the sidelines the 'Jackets will always be one of the hardest-working, scrappiest squads in the OC…that's a given…..but this winter they have a bonafide superstar in senior gunner Chris Barton, who can go for a 25-spot in the blink of an eye and is maybe the best rebounding perimeter player in the area. Darius Woods is a pesky and athletic jitterbug of a point guard that just does a lot of positive things. Jalen Latham is making a name for himself in the post and Ty Bland headlines a talented tenth-grade contingent

Pontiac (3-1) – The Ben Kelso Effect didn't take long implementing with the Phoenix opening the season 3-0. Justin Lavallis and Reggie Somerville are a pair of sweet-stroking guards that can each put up 20 if you let them. When Fab Frosh Jalen Kelso gets into the lineup in January, he'll take over duties at the point and him, Lavallis and Somerville will combine for a heck of a 3-headed terror in the backcourt. Israel Williams is a high-riser at a forward spot and plays hungry