The Maranatha Christian Academy Mustangs boys basketball team continued its impressive season with a statement win on Thursday, January 29, defeating the Minneapolis North Polars 85–81 in a highly anticipated Section 5AA matchup.

Entering the night, the Mustangs held a 13–3 overall record, sat atop the Skyline Conference standings, and ranked fourth in Section 5AA. Minneapolis North came in at 11–8 overall, third in the Minneapolis City Conference, and fifth in the section. With both teams battling for a top-four section seed and the coveted first and second round byes, the stakes were high.

The atmosphere matched the moment. A packed gym buzzed with energy as NSPN was on site to broadcast the game, joined by multiple reporters and videographers eager to capture the action. Adding to the intrigue was Marcus Marshall Jr., last year’s leading scorer for the Polars, now wearing a Mustangs uniform and leading the charge for Maranatha against his former team.

Maranatha jumped out to an early 12–7 lead, but Minneapolis North quickly responded, keeping the game tight for much of the first half. The Mustangs carried a slim 42–37 advantage into halftime.

The second half delivered nonstop drama. Maranatha extended its lead to 50–42, only to see the Polars surge back and eventually take a 63–57 advantage. Despite the momentum shift, the Mustangs remained composed, focusing on one possession at a time. They reclaimed the lead at 72–71 before falling behind again, 80–76, late in the half.

That’s when Ira Thomas took control. A strong bucket cut the deficit to two, followed by a pair of clutch free throws from Marcus Marshall Jr. Moments later, Thomas buried a huge three-pointer with just over 30 seconds remaining to give Maranatha an 83–80 lead. The Mustangs closed out the final possessions and sealed the thrilling 85–81 victory.

With the win, Maranatha improved to 14–3 overall, while Minneapolis North dropped to 11–9. The Polars were led by J’Marion Sanders, who continued his standout season with 27 points. Jeremiah Jackson added 17 points, and Cordae Williams chipped in 16.

For the Mustangs, Marshall Jr. delivered a memorable performance against his former squad, pouring in an astonishing 32 points. Teni Phillips dominated the paint with 19 points, and Thomas capped off his clutch night with 18 points.

Coach Al Harris’s team has now won eight consecutive games and continues to build momentum as the postseason approaches. With plenty of season still ahead, the Mustangs remain firmly in the hunt for a top-four seed in Section 5AA.

Maranatha now turns its focus to key upcoming Skyline Conference matchups, traveling to Trinity and Legacy before returning home to “The Stable” for a homecoming showdown against St. Croix Prep, as the Mustangs look to secure the Skyline Conference championship.