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Maranatha holds off Minneapolis North 67-65, returns to state

By CHARLIE ARMITZ, Star Tribune, 03/07/14, 8:30PM CST

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Last year's Class 1A runner-up edged the Polars in the Section 4 title game.

As the top seed in its section and last year’s Class 1A runner-up, Maranatha Christian Academy found some unexpected motivation Friday night to seal a trip back to the state tournament.

The Mustangs defeated No. 2-seeded Minneapolis North 67-65 in the Section 4 final at Macalester College.

“A lot of people [were saying], ‘North’s going to win. Maranatha’s not ready for North,’” sophomore Damario Armstrong said. “It pushed us forward to win this game. I think that’s what put us over the top.”

Armstrong made key plays down the stretch to help Maranatha (25-3) keep a lead it built midway through the second half.

But it nearly wasn’t enough. North’s Jamil Jackson barely missed a contested layup at the buzzer that would have sent the game into overtime.

Jackson had made a 3-pointer on the previous possession to cut Maranatha’s lead to one. He scored 14 for North (19-11), which was seeking its first state appearance since 2003.

Mustangs junior Jeremiah Hanson led all scorers with 17 points. Armstrong had only nine points, but his penetration in the second half opened up opportunities for his teammates. 
 

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