Maranatha Christian Academy is headed to the state Class 1A tournament for the sixth straight year after a 66-35 drubbing of Legacy Christian Academy in the Section 4 championship Friday night at Macalester College.
And the Mustangs, who have four eighth graders, six freshman and three sophomores on the varsity roster, are in prime position to extend their state tournament streak for years to come.
"We're the youngest experienced team we've ever seen," Mustangs coach Chris Buerman said. "I don't have a kid in my program who has ended their season anywhere but the state tournament."
Buerman, in his second season as head coach, said all he's tried to do is keep up the pace. And to do that, he employs a hounding defense to fuel Maranatha’s offense - one that averages 86.6 points per game.
"We try to play two games in the time that other teams are playing one," Buerman said.
Leading the charge for the run-away Mustangs’ defense is Lexi Lee. The senior guard is averaging 24.3 points per game after scoring 24 points in Maranatha's third victory over Legacy this season.
Lee said it's nice to be returning to the state tournament, but she wants more.
"It's a privilege. It feels good," Lee said. "But I wanna, you know, win this time because the last few times we haven't made it all the way."
After winning the championship her freshman year, Lee and the Mustangs have been bounced out in the first round the past two seasons.
"The feeling of losing in the first round two years in a row, it hurts," Lee said. "And I don't want to feel that feeling again."
Buerman said along with the high-pressure defense, he feels his team’s depth will be key for Maranatha's success at the state tourney.
"I think it's going to be beneficial that we have so much experienced depth that can really help us push teams," Buerman said.
The Maranatha Mustangs girls' basketball team poses with the Class 1A, Section 4 championship trophy. Photo by Chris Juhn
First Report
Senior Lexi Lee scored a game-high 24 points as No. 1-seeded Maranatha Christian Academy secured a state tournament bid by defeating No. 3-seeded Legacy Christian Academy 66-35 in the Class 1A, Section 4 championship at Macalester College Friday night.
Junior Alaina Jarnot posted 14 points as the Mustangs (27-3), ranked No. 2 in Class 1A by Minnesota Basketball News, beat Minnesota Christian Athletic Association foe Legacy Christian (20-10) for the third time this season .
The Lions got 11 points from sophomore Kayla Ruf.
