Game of the Week Preview #3: Maranatha at Holy Angels

The one game everyone is talking about this week is Tuesday's encounter between Lakeville North and Eastview, and why not. We have been debating this rivalry for some time now, with Eastview having gained the upper hand in the past week or so as Lakeville North suffered a 14-point loss at Centennial. If anything, that just adds to the intrigue. This is the obvious choice as our Game of the Week. But here's the thing: First, I have never been one to run with the crowd, and second, if I'm going to preview the game I also have to be there to cover it. Given that real life sometimes gets in the way of basketball – hard to fathom, I know – I'm not 100 percent certain I'm going to make it there tonight. So in the spirit of the season, I have decided to get a dose of religion and take in the Thursday encounter between Maranatha Christian Academy and the Academy of Holy Angels in Richfield. It seems as though 2-0 Maranatha, the #4 team in Class 2A, has been in hiding these past couple of weeks. Their last appearance was at the Breakdown Tip Off on December 2 where they dispatched Sleepy Eye by 32. I'm certain coach Chris Buerman has been behind closed doors up in Brooklyn Park, working his girls hard and oiling what has become a reliable 1A state-tournament machine. Now the Mustangs have moved up to 2A where their competition is theoretically tougher. It's not. Maranatha has always played up in its non-conference schedule, so a December meeting with 3A power Holy Angels isn't particularly daunting. That doesn't mean it will be easy. It won't. Who to watch I'm going to focus on a couple of key players in this one: Breianna Smestad and Alex Walker. Both are talented guards who have been lurking in the shadows these past couple of years. Now juniors, both have been elevated to the main stage where the pressure is on to remember their lines and say them on cue. Smestad of Maranatha is quick, has good handles, and can really push the pace. She started her high school career at 4A Centennial, where her stepdad Greg Amundson was the coach. When he left, she left. Both landed at Maranatha, where Greg was an assistant at the start of last season. Shortly thereafter, Amundson took the Rogers job leaving Smestad behind. Her role grew and her offensive skills improved – she's averaging 11.5 points per game thus far – as has her court presence. The #52 player in the Class of 2019 is now among the Mustangs' go-to girls, along with seniors Jaclyn Jarnot and Kylie Post. I'm told Smestad's objective is to land at Division 1 Liberty University, a Christian school that plays in the Big South Conference. That's a lofty objective to be sure. Walker is in a similar situation. She has been the understudy to the great Megan Thompson, who has graduated to D3 St. Ben's where she is a multi-sport athlete. Now it's Walker's turn, and she's off to a great start at 11.5 ppg. Walker is also quick, athletic and skilled. Unfortunately, she hasn't been given much of an opportunity until now. I watched the Stars play a state tournament game last spring in which Walker was firmly planted on the bench for most of the proceedings. I can't remember the opponent, or the exact situation, but what I remember is when Walker finally entered the game she promptly dropped a couple of her signature long bombs from the corner, baskets that jolted Holy Angels out of its funk and on to victory. She could not have been in the game more than two or three minutes and was promptly yanked, never to return. That was a head shaker, but it's in the past and this is the present so we'll take a closer look on Thursday. Other players we'll pay attention to Holy Angels' top 5 features junior Destinee Oberg, the #2 player in the class who recently committed to Arkansas. Power forward Kaylee VanDerWerf has the potential for greatness. A trio of multi-taskers – Megan Meyer, Rylie Thalhuber and Emma Mastre – are really important for Holy Angels. We'll also be watching 5'10" combo guard Frankie Vascellero, a freshman who may be ready to step up. Maranatha's top 5 includes the aforementioned Jarnot, Post and Smestad, plus defensive specialist Kayla Jo Davis (an angry pit bull defending one-on-one!). Freshman Macy Smith is the wild card here, a highly-touted talent who is coming off a so-so-summer. Transfer Kae Seana Barth-Lofton from Minnehaha Academy gives Maranatha strength down low. Other great games this week Tuesday <ul> <li>Lakeville North at Eastview – This is a grade-A big school showdown, two elite teams throwing down. I never tire of watching North sophomore Lauren Jensen. Ditto for Eastview senior Megan Walstad.</li> <li>Farmington at Apple Valley – Can Farmington's kids take another step forward?</li> <li>Park Cottage Grove at Cretin-Derham Hall – If anyone can figure out how to beat 4A #6 CDH, it is the always-crafty Park coach Stephanie Tolkinen.</li> </ul> Thursday <ul> <li>#1 Hopkins at #16 Edina – Can Edina's defense reign in the Royals? It'll be fun to see them try.</li> <li>DeLaSalle at Concordia Academy – Is 2A Concordia really that good? A meeting with the enigmatic Islanders will tell us more.</li> <li>Rochester Lourdes at Stewartville – 2020 #7 (and rising) Alyssa Ustby vs 2021 #10 Erin Lamb. Length vs length. Skill vs skill. Well worth the trip if you can make it.</li> </ul>