Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – CR’s Drew Gillette

By Ray Hamill — The Corsairs got an early Christmas present of sorts after breaking into the top 20 in the latest state coaches poll in basketball.

The College of the Redwoods men debut at No. 18 this week after opening the season in style with a 13-3 pre-Christmas record.

The Corsairs, who were idle this past week, are also ranked No. 20 in the latest RPI poll and No. 29 in the latest Massey Ratings, the later of which had the CR men ranked dead last in the state at the outset of the season.

It’s a sign of growing respect for the program, which has dramatically turned around its fortunes this season after recent struggles and a winless campaign last winter.

Led by Arcata’s Thomas Nelson a stellar class of freshmen, the exciting Corsairs have now won eight straight games, scoring 80 or more points in all eight.

Most recently they defeated then No. 4 Santa Rosa in the Santa Rosa tournament championship.

The Corsairs will be back in action when they host Butte on January 11.