Maranatha Mustangs 2007-2008
Latest Results
Maranatha Mustangs Edge Omaha Lightning
46-44
Vision Girls Defeat Fort Dodge in
Overtime
Maranatha Overpowers Cono Christian
60-30
Unbeaten FFAI Defenders Edge Maranatha 48-42
Maranatha Players Honored at Awards
Banquet
In its first year as a school Maranatha Christian Academy,
under the direction of Coach Nick Nickerson, has fielded an
impressive group of players who have already proved to be
competitive on a varsity level. In its home opener
Maranatha defeated Sioux City Christian 55-44. The game was
tied early on at 9-9, but then Maranatha began to pull
away. Midway through the third period the Mustangs had
pulled away by 22 points and Coach Nickerson emptied the
bench. All players who suited up played in the game.
Leading scorers were Michael Carney with 20 points, John
Ellis with 15, and Matt Bruce with 8. The leading
rebounders were Ian Nichols with 7 rebounds and Sam Long
and Zach Sloter with 4 each.
On
November 19th Maranatha went up against a talented Ames
Vision varsity team which started all seniors against the
Mustangs. The game went back and forth early, but at the
half the Vision team was leading 27-19. Then the momentum
shifted to Maranatha and the Mustangs roared ahead and were
leading by 6 early in the fourth period. The game was tied
at 51-51 with a little over a minute left. Vision scored
the last 4 points and won the contest 55-51. Leading
scorers for the Mustangs were John Ellis with 16 points,
Michael Carney with 15, and Ian Nichols and Zach Sloter
with 8 each. Leading rebounders were Zach Sloter with 5 and
Michael Carney with 4. Carney also had 4 steals and 4
assists. Coach Nickerson said, "These boys played very well
and nearly defeated a strong and experienced team." With
only one senior on the roster, Maranatha's future looks
bright indeed.
In a preliminary game to the varsity contest, the Maranatha
Junior High team defeated Vision 41-40. Leading scorers for
Maranatha were Alex Sloter with 12 and Steven Wilson with 9
points.
Basketball
Team Defeats DM Warriors
The
Maranatha Mustangs basketball team scored another victory
on December 3rd, defeating the Des Moines Warriors junior
varsity 48-33. Maranatha dominated the game from the start,
rolling up a 27-9 lead at half time. Coach Nickerson
liberally substituted in the second half with all players
seeing action at some time during the game. As the second
half progressed the Warriors began to chip away at
Maranatha's lead. When Des Moines cut the Mustang's lead to
nine points, the starters returned to the court to ensure
the victory.
In a
game in which seven Maranatha players scored, Michael
Carney was the leading scorer with 15 points. He was
followed by Sam Long with nine points. Ian Nichols and John
Ellis added seven each. This was the first of two contests
scheduled with the Warriors this season.
In a game played the same evening Maranatha students Hannah
Nichols and Caroline Held helped the Vision junior high
team defeat Trinity Lutheran 27-12. The leading scorers for
Vision were Hannah Nichols with 9 points, Juliana Moeller
with 8, and Kaylee Bruce with 5. Nichols also grabbed 13
rebounds.
Coach Nickerson announced this week that Maranatha's boys
team has been invited to play in the Cono Invitational
Tournament the second week of December of 2008. The Cono
tournament regularly draws teams from Iowa, Illinois, and
Minnesota.
Maranatha
on the offense against the Des Moines Warriors.
Maranatha's leading scorer was Michael Carney (14).