MUSKEGON, MI – February has seen a lot of basketball carnage, with each team on the way to a key win to earn a spot in conference title contention or earn a top seed in the upcoming district tournament. I've paved the way.
As we enter the final stretch of the regular season schedule, take a look at five Muskegon area boys basketball teams that are trending in the right direction and present the latest MLive Muskegon Power Rankings.
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Featured teams
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Whitehall (19-0)
The Vikings posted impressive wins in non-conference games against Mona Shores, Grand Rapids Covenant Christian and Big Rapids, overcoming a scare against Montague (64-62) and losing to Manistee (73-32) on Tuesday. ) was exceeded. They host Ludington on Friday in what should be another entertaining showdown between basketball rivals that could secure a share of the Western Michigan Conference Lakes Division title.
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North Muskegon (20-0)
The Norse would complete a perfect regular season with wins against Hart (10-9) on Friday and Holton (2-18) next Tuesday. Outside of the come-from-behind win over Montague, the second-place team in Division III has been in complete control this season, and the depth and versatility of its roster should make it a team to watch this postseason.
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Ludington (13-5)
Since their narrow loss to Cadillac, the Orioles have won five straight games with wins over Fremont, Oak Ridge, Petoskey, Montague and Orchard View. They will have a chance to make the West Michigan Conference Lakes Division title race interesting as they travel to undefeated Whitehall on Friday to close out the regular season against Benzie Central (17-2) .
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Muskegon (14-2)
The Big Reds got revenge on Reese-Puffer last week with an impressive 48-28 road victory over the Rockets. Now, they will have to fend off a Zeeland West team looking for revenge on Friday after battling the Big Reds for most of the first game on January 19th. Muskegon hosts Grand Blanc (9-7). Saturday, followed by a road trip to Kalamazoo Central on Monday.
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White Cloud (16-3)
The Indians had their 11-game winning streak snapped at the hands of No. 2 North Muskegon earlier this week, but bounced back with an impressive road win over Grant (77-70). Now, if they can defeat Reed City (16-3) on Friday night and cap off a great season for the White Cloud boys basketball program, they will have a chance to win a share of the CSAA title.
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MLIVE Muskegon Boys Basketball Power Rankings
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Honorable mention
Oak Ridge (13-6)
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10. Grant (12-5)
T8. Spring Lake (9-10)
T8. Grand Haven (9-10)
7. Mona Shores (12-7)
6. Ludington (13-5)
5. White Cloud (16-3)
4. North Muskegon (20-0)
3. Whitehall (19-0)
T1. Reese Puffer (16-2)
T1. Muskegon (14-2)
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