Local Sports Journal

The Muskegon Big Reds continue to move up in the national boys basketball ratings published by USA Today.

The Big Reds moved up to the 30th spot from 33rd in the latest USA TODAY Sports Super 25 poll announced Tuesday.

Muskegon is now 19-0 for the season. The Big Reds have been included for eight of the nine polls announced so far.

Muskegon will end its regular season Thursday when it hosts River Rouge at 7 p.m. at Redmond-Potter Gymnasium.

River Rouge, for many years a state basketball power in Class B, is 9-9 for the season.

Nationally, the top five teams in the poll stayed the same. Mater Dei, of Santa Ana, Calif., remained No.1 with its 28-0 record.

Chicago Curie stayed in second place at 24-1, while Montverde, Fla., Academy is third at 24-1; Rainier Beach, of Seattle Wash., is fourth at 25-0; and White Station of Memphis, Tenn., is fifth with its 29-1 record.

Curie’s only loss came in an overtime game against Muskegon in early January while its best player sat out a one-game suspension

Muskegon remains one of two Michigan schools in the rankings.

The other team is Detroit Pershing which has an 18-2 record. Pershing is 46th in the list of ranked teams.

The state tournament grind starts March 3 for the Michigan boys basketball teams.

The opening round games at Muskegon High School for the Class A district has Mona Shores playing Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills at 6 p.m.f ollowed by the Muskegon-Grand Haven rematch at 7:30 p.m.

The Big Reds beat Grand Haven 55-45 earlier in the season.