Beating a conference rival for a third time in one season is a daunting task even for perennial power Maranatha Christian Academy, ranked No. 3 in Class 1A by Minnesota Basketball News.
Add in a large crowd from No. 6-1A Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity at a neutral gym in the Class 1A, Section 4 finals with a state tournament bid on the line, and that equals a hostile environment to try and complete a season sweep.
“This (game) felt way more intense,” Alaina Jarnot said. “It meant if we would keep playing or be done, so we just had to keep playing hard.”
The Bulldogs (26-4) came within a single point after two quick baskets in the final 10 seconds of play in an upset bid of their Minnesota Christian Athletic Association rival, but Jarnot had other plans.
The Mustangs' senior point guard scorched down the sideline, drew a foul and sank two final three throws to send Maranatha to its seventh consecutive state tournament following a 67-64 win over Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity Friday night at Anoka-Ramsey Community College.
“This has probably been our closest (section final) and our toughest opponent,” Mustangs coach Chris Buerman said. “They were the most prepared for us. They did an outstanding job.”
Top-seeded Maranatha (24-6) struggled in the opening half, shooting just 20 percent from the field, and trailed by four entering the intermission.
Jarnot said the crowd noise was deafening.
“When we went into the locker room at halftime my ears were ringing," she said. "I couldn’t even hear in there."
Alaina and her sister, Jaclyn, put a charge in the Mustangs shortly after halftime by combining for 10 points on a 14-0 run to put Maranatha ahead. The siblings combined for 39 points in the win, with Alaina notching 21 and Jaclyn posting 18.
“I love playing with her,” Alaina said of her sister. “She played amazing (tonight) and played her heart out.”
Alaina Jarnot has been a member of the Mustangs since she was in eighth grade, the last time Maranatha won the Class 1A state championship.
Despite a decorated individual career and a commitment to Monmouth (New Jersey), Alaina acknowledged how important it is to her team to win a championship in her final year after falling in the state championship to Ada-Borup last season.
“We’ve been going (to state) every year,” she said. “I just think this is our year.”
Hope Feltmann scored a game-high 26 points in Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity's loss to Maranatha Christian Academy. Photo by Cheryl Myers
First Report
Senior Alaina Jarnot tallied a team-high 21 points for top-seeded Maranatha Christian Academy in the Class 1A, Section 4 finals to oust No. 3-seeded Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity 67-64 Friday night at Anoka-Ramsey Community College.
Ranked No. 3 in Class 1A by Minnesota Basketball News, the Mustangs (24-6) advance to their seventh consecutive state tournament following the win over their Minnesota Christian Athletic Association rivals, the No. 6-1A Bulldogs.
Maranatha Chrstian trailed 33-29 at the half, but used a 14-0 run five minutes after the break to take the lead, fueled by Alaina and her sister, Jaclyn, combining for 10 points.
A 6-0 sophomore forward, Jaclyn Jarnot posted an 18-point, 15-rebound double-double to help pace the Mustangs offense.
Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity junior Hope Feltmann had a game-high 26 points, but Friday's loss marked the third time the Bulldogs (26-4) have been beaten by Maranatha Christian this season.
