By Ron Rop
LocalSportsJournal.com

NORTON SHORES – The Muskegon Big Reds have been tightening the screws on opposing teams with their stifling defense all season long.

On Friday night, the Big Reds did it again, only this time there was a Division 1 district trophy at stake.

Coach Keith Guy, who preaches defense, sat back and watched his team take care of the host Mona Shores Sailors 71-41 on the Sailors’ home court.

“This team is really playing great defense right now,” Guy said. “I told them they have a chance to be one of the best defensive teams I’ve ever coached because we’ve been holding some good teams under their averages. I’m extremely pleased with how our guys have bought in on the defensive side.”

And to think it was a one-point game after a first quarter that saw the Sailors come out confident and aggressive and trailed just 16-15 after eight minutes. Jordan Bledsoe and Johnathan Pittman, the Sailor leaders, had all 15 points for Shores.

“We knew they would come out with a lot of energy,” Guy said. “They had a big upset early in the week. They came in very confident and we talked about weathering the storm. I thought our guys did a pretty good job of settling in. This is a tough place to play.”

But then the tide changed. Muskegon turned up the heat, the Sailors started missing shots and the Muskegon surge began.

In the first 4 1/2 minutes of the second quarter, the Big Red lead went from one to 14. That run was fueled by Arquez Petty, who scored seven points during that pivotal point in the contest. By the half, Muskegon led 34-21.

The second half was much like the second quarter with Muskegon going on another run. This time, it was 10-0 and included a 3-pointer by James Martin and a big slam dunk by Terrance Davis. The Big Reds led 59-27 after three quarters and cruised to the finish.

Muskegon was led by Davis with 15 points. Elija Langston-Jones came off the bench and scored 14 points. Petty and Martin each had nine.

“We’ve got a deep team,” Guy said. “And there are some guys on the bench you probably haven’t even seen yet. These guys are unselfish and really play for each other. It’s a pleasure to coach these guys.”

While Shores coach Louis Murray was not happy with the outcome, he was pleased with his team’s progress and success in his first year at the helm.

“We were well prepared tonight,” Murray said. “We just didn’t have enough. A great summer is really going to help us out. We will continue to build and get our confidence. We will be back in this situation.”

Bledsoe led Shores with 12 points and Pittman had 11, of which 10 came in the opening quarter.

Muskegon advances to next week’s Division 1 regional at Ithaca. The Big Reds will take on Saginaw Heritage, another 20-win team, at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Check out photos from the night shot by Tim Reilly.