Minnesota First Look: Maranatha

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Maranatha Christian Academy won 23 games last year, utilizing depth and awesome balance to dominate the competition. The Mustangs lose a number of key guys to graduation to departure, but do return enough talent to be considered one of the better teams in Class AA.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>KEY RETURNERS</strong>: Hakim Daniels, Maciah Harut, Tristan Lee</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Daniels was the leading scorer for MCA last year, averaging just under 12 points per game. He’s a terrific two-way player who does a little bit of everything. He’s a solid slasher and can make plays for his teammates. He’s an excellent rebounder from the wing and he can guard multiple guys at a high level. Expect him to take his game to another level as a senior.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Harut was one of the top point guards in the conference last year, averaging better than seven points and five assists. He’s a sound decision-maker who can get to the paint and either finish or create for his teammates. He’ll need to do more of both this year as one of the top returners.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Lee averaged nine points per game mostly coming off the bench last year and will step into a starting job this winter as an upperclassman. He’s another big, strong guard who can break down defenses, get to the rim and finish at a high level. He’s an athletic kid who defends and does a good job playing in transition as well.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>STEPPING INTO NEW ROLES:</strong> Benji Bruce, David Ross, Jeremiah LaVelle, Isaiah Bluford, Matthew Bluford</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Mustangs have a solid host of young talent in the program even if it hasn’t shown up at the varsity level yet. With six key contributors from last year gone to graduation, there are going to be a lot of minutes available for players who didn’t see much of the floor last year at the varsity level. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Benji Bruce and David Ross were fringe-rotation guys last year for the Mustangs, seeing sparing minutes off the bench. Jeremiah LaVelle saw spot minutes as a freshman and could take on a much more prominent role as a sophomore. Isaiah Bluford and Matthew Bluford are expected to step into rotation roles as well.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>QUESTION:</strong> Can the returners step up to offset the lack of depth?</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Depth was the biggest strength for the Mustangs last year. With three starters and three key bench guys gone to either graduation or transfer, that depth took a significant hit. Can the top returning players take their games to another level to offset that lack of depth? Or can the newcomers emerge into key roles and give the team a strength in numbers again?</span></p> <p><strong>SEASON OUTLOOK</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Maranatha Christian Academy was one of the 10 best teams in Class AA last year. The Mustangs enter this season with more questions regarding who steps in and fills out the rotation. But the returning trio of Daniels, Harut and Lee give them an excellent foundation. They’ll be a contender in the MCAA and among the top teams in Section 5AA. </span></p>