LANCASTER - They have been one of this season's best stories.
They are in the thick of their section race.
It looks like they're safe to make the District 3 playoffs.
They took some lumps last season, but learned valuable lessons, which are paying off this season.
They are the Lancaster Mennonite Blazers, and after Tuesday's 59-55 win over Lebanon Catholic, they find themselves at 8-4 in league play and 12-6 overall.
That's good for solo second place in Section 4, just a game behind Lancaster Catholic. And the Blazers, now in AAA, hit the week inside the bubble to make Districts.
There are plenty of storylines when it comes to Lancaster Mennonite.
Like the emergence of sophomore shooter Julian Collazo, who is averaging 15.8 points with 34 3-pointers in his first varsity season.
Like low-post threats Jon Snader (Sr., 7.2) and Zach Lehman (Jr., 11.9), who have been terrific in the paint.
And then there's junior point guard Matt Hess, who is the Blazers' glue.
He scored a team-high 16 points in the win over Lebanon Catholic, that after matching his season-best with 17 points - and three 3's - last Friday vs. Lampeter-Strasburg.
In the last four games, Hess is averaging 14.5 points. In 18 games, he's averaging 11.1 points with nine 3-pointers.
Hess makes Lancaster Mennonite tick. He sets up the O. He gets the Blazers' transition game going. And he guards the oppositions' top scoring guard.
He's a weapon at both ends of the court.
Chatted with Hess on Tuesday after the Blazers' win over Lebanon Catholic about the Blazers' success, about the win over the Beavers and about where Lancaster Mennonite goes from here.