The Maranatha Christian Academy boys and girls basketball teams delivered remarkable seasons in 2025–26, each capturing Skyline Conference championships and advancing to the Section 5AA finals in impressive fashion.
The boys team, led by first-year head coach Al Harris, put together a dominant campaign, finishing a perfect 16-0 in Skyline Conference play and 25-4 overall. Entering the Section 5AA tournament as the #3 seed, the Mustangs opened postseason play with an 87-70 home victory over #11 Providence Academy. They followed that performance with a statement win on the road, defeating #2 Southwest Christian 92-71 to punch their ticket to the section final.
The Mustangs faced #9 Blake at Augsburg University with a trip to the state tournament on the line. In a tightly contested battle, Maranatha came up just short in a heartbreaking 59-54 loss, bringing an outstanding season to a close.
The team’s success was fueled by standout performances throughout the year. Junior Marcus Marshall Jr. led the team offensively with 479 points, followed by senior Teni Phillips with 372 and Ira Thomas with 260. Phillips controlled the boards, leading the team with 266 rebounds, while Marshall Jr. added 103. Noah Shirmers contributed 89 rebounds, with Erik Bakke close behind at 88.
Defensively, Marshall Jr. set the tone with 72 steals, followed by Thomas with 62. Shirmers anchored the interior with 22 blocks, while Bakke added 20.
Marcus Marshall Jr., Teni Phillips, and Ira Thomas earned Skyline All-Conference honors, with Marshall Jr. being named Skyline Conference Player of the Year. Jaidyn Rennie was also recognized for excellence in the classroom, earning Academic All-State honors.
The girls team matched that success with a stellar season of their own, finishing 15-1 in conference play and 25-4 overall. Entering the Section 5AA tournament as the #2 seed, the Mustangs showcased their strength with a 73-57 win over #7 Dassel-Cokato in the quarterfinals and a dominant 69-42 victory over #3 Minneapolis North in the semifinals.
Their postseason run led them to Augsburg University, where head coach Faith Johnson Patterson and her team faced the defending state champion and #1 seed Providence Academy Lions in the section final. Despite a strong season, the Mustangs fell 98-60, closing out an exceptional year.
Offensively, the Mustangs were led by senior Zaniah Hunter, who scored 460 points on the season. She was followed by senior Heather Sheehy with 371, junior Greta Eaves with 343, and senior Olivia Lanari with 341. Lanari made her presence felt across the stat sheet, leading the team with 314 rebounds and 191 steals. Freshman Mikayla Johnson added 193 rebounds, while Hunter contributed 129 boards.
Lanari’s outstanding season earned her a nomination for Minnesota Miss Basketball along with Honorable Mention All-State recognition. She, along with Eaves, Sheehy, and Hunter, received Skyline All-Conference honors. Johnson and Avery Lanari were named All-Conference Honorable Mention, while Sheehy earned Academic All-State recognition.
Together, both programs demonstrated excellence on the court, in the classroom, and in competition, solidifying Maranatha Christian Academy as a powerhouse in the Skyline Conference and Section 5AA.
