Playing with all of their seniors for the first time this season, the Maranatha Christian Academy boys team rolled to a 70-36 win over the LIFE Lions Friday night. Maranatha dominated the game from the start and ran up an early 14-2 lead at the end of the first period. Maranatha continued to expand its lead and by halftime the score was 28-10. The Lions were more competitive in the second half of the game, adding 26 points to their total.
All Maranatha players who suited up for the game played and scored. The Mustangs were led in scoring by Austin Gregerson with 20 points, Matt Bruce with 16, and Taylor Adolphson with 12. Ian Nichols added 10, David Parkinson had 9, Zach Miller 3, and JD Abell 2. The leading rebounder for Maranatha was Zach Miller with 12. Ian Nichols had the most assists of the evening, and Austin Gregerson led in steals.
The Mustangs were directed by Coach Craig Parkinson who will be helping with the program for the balance of the year. Coach Parkinson was inducted into the Iowa High School Hall of Fame in 2007 for his successful career in coaching football over the past three decades. "We are excited about Coach Parkinson's desire to help with the Maranatha program," said administrator Bill Nichols. "He brings a new dimension to our game." The win Friday night was Parkinson's 100th as a basketball coach.
Maranatha Girls Falter in 41-28 loss
Maranatha's girls, playing without several key starters, had more trouble with the Lions. In the first half the game was very even with the lead changing hands back and forth. At halftime the Mustangs led 11-10. Adjustments made at halftime definitely favored the Lions who began to pull away in the third period. The Mustangs were hurt when two of their starters fouled out early in the fourth period.
Leading the scoring for Maranatha was RandiJo Gorman with 22 points. Irene Nickerson, Kayley Bruce, and Hannah Nichols each had two points for the Mustangs. The leading rebounder for the Mustangs was Hannah Nichols. RandiJo Gorman led in steals.
Taylor Adolphson hits for two against LIFE as teammate Zach Miller (55) moves in for a rebound.
Randijo Gorman (24) led all scorers in the girls loss to LIFE with 22 points.
Austin Gregerson (24) scores on a fastbreak against LIFE.