The Maranatha Mustangs continue to assert themselves as the team to beat in the Skyline Conference, improving to 13-1 in conference play with an impressive 72-31 victory over St. Croix Lutheran. The Crusaders were the only Skyline opponent to hand the Mustangs a loss this season, making the decisive win even more meaningful as Maranatha remains firmly atop the conference standings with an overall record of 20-3.

From the opening tip, the Mustangs set the tone defensively and never looked back, showcasing the balanced scoring and depth that has defined their season. Senior guard Zaniah Hunter continues to lead the offensive charge, pacing the team with 358 points on the year. Close behind is senior Heather Sheehy with 294 points, followed by junior Greta Eaves with 282. Senior Olivia Lanari has added 253 points this season, providing consistent production on both ends of the floor.

Eighth grader Mikayla Johnson has also made a significant impact in her debut varsity season, contributing 125 points and adding valuable depth to the Mustangs lineup.

Lanari recently reached a major career milestone, surpassing 1,000 rebounds. She currently leads the team this season with 233 rebounds, anchoring the Mustangs in the paint and controlling the glass night after night. Her leadership and physical presence have been instrumental in Maranatha’s success.

With three games remaining in the regular season, the Mustangs are beginning to turn their focus toward Section 5AA tournament play. They travel to St. Agnes on Tuesday, February 17, before returning home to face Nova on Friday, February 20. Maranatha will close out the regular season at home against Dassel-Cokato on Monday, February 23.

As the postseason approaches, the Mustangs are playing their best basketball of the year, combining senior leadership, emerging young talent, and a relentless defensive mindset. With momentum on their side, Maranatha looks poised to make a strong push in Section 5AA.