MARANATHA WENT UP AGAINST MINNEAPOLIS NORTH IN A BOYS’ SECTION 4 CLASS A BASKETBALL GAME

On March 6 Maranatha and Minneapolis North squared off in a boys’ basketball game. The game was played at Macalester College. There was a very large crowd on hand to watch the game.

This game was the Section 4 Class A section championship game. The score went back and forth early in the contest.

There were several ties and lead changes early in the game.

North called a timeout with 13:27 left in the first half, the score was Maranatha 10, North 9.

Maranatha’s Jeremiah Hanson came up with mid-range jump shots and layups in the first half. He was able to get past the North’s defense and get to the basket.

North’s ODell Wilson IV came up with layups and rebounds on the offensive end. On the defensive end Wilson IV came up with defensive stops.

With 6:33 left in the first half Maranatha called a timeout, the score was tied at 21.

Neither team went on a run in the first half. There were several ties and lead changes throughout.

North’s D.J. Hunter stepped up and was able to knock down deep 3-point shots. Teammate Isaac Johnson also came up with mid-range jump shots late in the first half.

At halftime the score was Maranatha 38, North 35.

As the second half got underway North looked to set the tempo on the offensive end.

Maranatha called a timeout with 16:25 left in regulation. The score was North 39, Maranatha 38.

North switched between man-to-man and zone defense. They looked to keep Maranatha guessing on what defense they were playing.

North’s Tyler Johnson came up with 3-point baskets. His teammates did a good job of getting him the ball in spots where he could shoot it.

Maranatha called a timeout with 11:18 left in the first half. The score was North 49, Maranatha 45.

Maranatha went to a zone defense. Rodgers and Johnson played catch for a period of time.

North called a timeout with 7:31 left in regulation. The score was North 49, Maranatha 48.

Both teams took a lot of time off the clock with under seven minutes left in regulation.

Maranatha looked to attack the basket late in the game. They looked to get the ball into the hands of Hanson who looked to make layups and mid-range jump shots.

The game came down to the wire. Neither team made a run in the second half. North took a lot of time off the clock midway through the second half.

The score went back and forth late in the game. Both teams attacked the basket.

The game was tied at 59 after regulation. There was a 4 minute overtime period.

North looked to push the ball down the floor in the overtime period. Rodgers and JaQuan Sanders-Smith came up with layups and mid-range jump shots.

The score went back and forth late in the overtime period. Saunders-Smith and Isaac Johnson came up with huge baskets.

Maranatha’s Jeremiah Hanson hit a jump shot with 2.7 seconds left in the overtime period to win the game.

Maranatha came away with the 69-67 victory over North.

The leading scorer for Maranatha was Hanson with 33 points.

The leading scorers for North were Sanders with 16 points and Isaac Johnson with 15 points.

With that win Maranatha advances to the 2015 MSHSL state tournament.