Mason Boys Top Manassas Park, Rally Falls Short Vs. Madison

The George Mason High School boys basketball team achieved the highlight of their short season thus far, beating Manassas Park on the road 63-61 last Wednesday, Jan. 5.

Two players posted double-doubles for the Mustangs as junior Travis Green led the Mustangs with 18 points, 16 rebounds, five assists and five steals. Senior Josiah Larson stepped up as well with 14 points, 13 boards and five assists. Freshman Mike Schwengel added 10 points and six assists, while Mason Head Coach William Broderick commended him for coming up big in the fourth quarter.

“That’s a big win for us coming on the road and in the district,” Broderick said. “Particularly against a team that went to the regionals last season and finished second in the district.”

The Mustangs couldn’t capitalize on any momentum coming off the win however, narrowly dropping a closely contested game to first-place Madison County, the Bull Run District’s lone unbeaten team. Mason fell by a final score of 55-52 despite a relentless comeback attempt in the second half lead by senior Colin Molano. Trailing 30-18 in the third quarter, Molano went on a personal 12-0 run to haul the Mustangs back into contention. Sean Dawson added two three-pointers, one at the buzzer to give Mason the 41-39 lead at the end of the third quarter and another to put the Mustangs up 47-43 with just under five minutes remaining in the fourth.

However, Mason could not hold on, as missed free throws allowed Madison County to reclaim the lead and hold on at the final buzzer. Molano led the Mustangs with 17 points, while Larson added four points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and five steals. Greene added 11 points and 10 rebounds on his own.

Mason fell again Monday night in a mid-season no-district game against Calvary Temple 53-41. Senior Will Straub and junior Justin Morrison scored five points each, with Straub adding eight rebounds.

“I like non-district games in the middle of our conference schedule because it gives us the chance to play everyone,” Broderick said. “We want to win every time we step on the court, but guys that work hard in practice ought to see some playing time. January is a good time to do that.”

The Mustangs square off against Rappahannock on Friday at 7:45 p.m. after losing 93-67 to Clarke County Wednesday night. An expanded account was not available at press time.

Mike Hume may be emailed at mhume@fcnp.com