By Devon Kitchen
Local Sports Journal

Was last week’s Class A title victory the greatest in Muskegon Big Reds boys basketball history?

I’m too young to remember the great teams of Muskegon’s past, the teams from the 1920s, 30s, and 40s. You are too, I’d imagine.

All I know is what I saw last March 22 at the Breslin Center, when Muskegon capped an undefeated season with a dominant win over Bloomfield Hills.

Going in, Muskegon head coach Keith Guy knew how big a state championship win would be, not only for his team but for Muskegon…the entire Muskegon community.

“This would not only be a huge win for us,” said Guy, “but for Muskegon Heights, North Muskegon, and Fruitport as well.”

He knew this thing had gotten a lot bigger than just his squad’s play on the court.

“(It) could possibly bring this whole city together.”

He was right.

Everyone knows about all the bad that goes on in our state, and in the City of Muskegon.

But what most people fail to realize is all the good that is happening here.
State titles, which we definitely have our share of, are just the tip of the iceberg.

But those titles are what lots of people from across the state think of when Muskegon is mentioned. Well, football titles, at least.

That’s another thing that made last week’s win so big: This was Muskegon’s first boys basketball title in 77 years.

But was it the biggest ever for the program? Maybe so, if people start talking about football and basketball when Muskegon is brought up.

“This could single-handedly go down as the biggest win in the city and in Big Red history because when you hear the name Muskegon, most people don’t know what a ‘Muskegon’ is, or (they) think about football,” said Guy, before winning the title. “This win would most definitely put us and the city on the map for years to come.”

At least in the basketball world, and the high school sports world.

Of course, Guy wants everyone to know that Muskegon is way more than just what you see on the news or read about on the Web.

“This is more than a win, this is more than a game, this is an accomplishment for us all,” said Guy,after winning. “Nobody ever thought that Muskegon could ever get another championship in basketball.”

And he didn’t forget who got them there.

“This goes down as more than a win for the whole city because without the fans, the media, and the support from everyone we wouldn’t be standing here today as the 2014 Class A State Champions.”

Greatest win ever?

Whatever it was, we loved every second it it.