Banning Lewis’ Great 8 game against Bishop Machebeuf on Thursday was years in the making, and the Stallions didn’t disappoint.

No. 10 Banning Lewis, playing its first 3A quarterfinal game in program history, routed the No. 2 Buffaloes 69-38. The Stallions have only played four official seasons and are headed to the Final Four for the first time.

“It’s just such a blessing,” senior Joseph Bjegovich said. “Seeing this program grow just shows the amount of work we’ve put in.”

The Stallions’ progress over the course of their first four seasons has been linear.

Banning Lewis won just five games in its first season before winning 13 games and reaching the district tournament the next year. The Stallions finally made their first state tourney appearance in 2023, but lost 75-24 to Prospect Ridge.

This year’s Cinderella run to the Final Four has made the growing pains and hard work worth it.

“The level and quality of the coaches and teams in our league really prepared us,” Banning Lewis coach Wes McKenzie said. “From the jump, even when we weren’t ready to compete at that level, we had to raise our level because of the league we play in.”

Bjegovich added, “It’s just our mindset. We’ve taken it day by day and have a growth mindset.”

The Stallions didn’t just beat the Buffaloes. They slaughtered them.

After holding a five-point lead at halftime, Banning Lewis (21-4) opened the third quarter on a 20-3 run to put the game away. The Stallions allowed only three field goals in the entire second half.

Bjegovich led all scorers with 23 points. Junior guard Trey Oden was just behind him with 22.

“We’ve been playing good basketball,” Bjegovich said. “We want it this year. It’s such a huge blessing.”

Thursday’s win came after the Stallions beat Montezuma-Cortez and Meeker in the first two rounds. They have won 20 of their last 22 games after starting the year 1-2.

Next for Banning Lewis is a familiar foe. The Stallions will battle Vanguard, a league rival, on Friday for a berth in the 3A state title game.

The Stallions and Coursers battled once this year, with Banning Lewis winning 56-50. But the Stallions aren’t taking Vanguard lightly.

“That’s a real team,” McKenzie said. “We’re going to have to play our best basketball tomorrow.”