Boys Basketball

After an emotional victory Monday night to prevent legendary Central-Woodstock Jerry Walters from getting his 500th victory, the Mustangs fell flat Tuesday night against Clarke County, losing 57-28. The loss prevented Mason from an undefeated week—last Thursday they defeated Madison County, 59-44.

On Monday night, the visiting stands of George Mason’s “Pit” were as crowded as ever, replete with visiting fans from Woodstock ready to celebrate a new milestone for Walters, who has coached at Central for 33 years. Ready to break out t-shirts with “500” on it, the Falcons were stymied by a tough second-half pressure defense from Mason.

The game was tight throughout—the Mustangs grabbed their first lead midway through the third quarter. In the end, it was Mason rookie head coach Bill Broderick pumping his fist and saying “Not in our house—not getting 500 here.” The Mustangs took the non-district win, 44-41.

Tuesday night, against Bull Run leader Clarke County (8-3, 4-0) the results, and the game, were not as thrilling. In the second half, the Mustangs managed only 11 points—four in the fourth quarter. Of those 11, only two were scored by any of the five starters, thanks to a layup from Jack Lawlor. Senior center and leading scorer Evan Hamme, averaging better than 20 points per game on the year, was held to a meager three.

The Eagles forced a whopping 27 Mustang turnovers and Mason answered in turn with only three steals of its own.

Mason is playing at Strasburg tonight at 7:30 p.m. and next travels to Dominion for its second matchup for a team they beat earlier in the year. The boys’ next home game is Friday, Jan. 30 in a rematch with Manassas Park.