The Stoney Creek girls basketball program has been a whirlwind of emotions, especially from Friday to Monday, after major changes were made to the team’s leadership. Coach Columbus Williams and most of his coaching staff were dismissed on Monday, just ahead of the Cougars’ postseason run. The decision came after the team’s heated loss to Rochester on Friday, which was marked by a series of disciplinary issues, including a total of seven technical fouls and an ejection of a parent.
Athletic Director Todd Negoshian, a former North Farmington Boys Basketball Coach, has stepped in as the interim coach for the Cougars’ final two games of the regular season, and their upcoming district semifinals. Stoney Creek will face off against Romeo at Utica Eisenhower in the highly anticipated matchup next Wednesday.
While the decision to part ways with Williams and his staff was difficult, it was deemed necessary to restore discipline and sportsmanship to the program. According to a statement from the school, “At Stoney Creek, educational athletics are an integral extension of the classroom, and we have high expectations for conduct and sportsmanship.” The incident during Friday’s game was seen as an infraction of those standards, leading to the swift action.
Despite these setbacks, the Cougars’ season is still alive. With a record of 17-4, they are on track to finish strong. They clinched a share of the Red title with a narrow 37-35 win over West Bloomfield on Tuesday night. Stoney Creek is set to play Romeo in the district semifinals, with a chance to face Utica Eisenhower in the district finals if they advance.
In the three years under Williams’ leadership, the team had a strong run, including a 52-18 record and a State Quarterfinal appearance in 2024. However, this change marks a new chapter for the Cougars as they prepare for the postseason under Negoshian’s guidance.
Stay tuned as this story develops, and watch how the Cougars navigate the rest of their playoff journey with a refreshed focus on teamwork and discipline.
