Maranatha Christian Academy was among Class 1A's elite programs during the first half of this decade. The Mustangs went to the state tournament four of five years, finishing as runners-up in 2013 and 2015, and taking third in 2014.
The No. 4-2A Mustangs are working to reach that status in Class 2A now, and their matchup on Thursday with No. 1-2A Minnehaha Academy will provide a progress marker.
Thursday's game could preview a state tournament pairing. The Redhawks likely will be the top seed in Section 4; Maranatha (21-3, 13-0), meanwhile, will have to get through Section 5, which includes No. 2-1A Minneapolis North, No. 5-2A Breck and Providence Academy.
The Mustangs don't have a clear-cut leader on offense. Junior Hakim Daniels averages 11.1 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.1 steals. Seniors Clarence Daniels (10.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg) and Christian Davis (9.6 ppg) are other top contributors.
The two-time defending champion Redhawks (20-2, 4-0) have won three of the last five Class 2A state titles and few would be surprised if they add another in March.
Minnehaha Academy is led by multi-sport standout Jalen Suggs. The junior guard averages 24.4 points per game for the Redhawks, who are coming off a 79-71 victory over No. 1-3A DeLaSalle on Saturday. Suggs had 30 points and his team outscored the Islanders 41-29 in the second half.
Suggs, however, is one of several offensive threats for the Redhawks, who also get plenty of points from 7-foot sophomore Chet Holmgren (18.5 points) and freshman Prince Aligbe (11 points).