The George Mason High School boys basketball team lost to Clark County High School 37-63 on Thursday. With Mason’s loss, both teams now hold the same record in district plays, 7-1, and share the top position in the standing.

The George Mason High School boys basketball team lost to Clark County High School 37-63 on Thursday. With Mason’s loss, both teams now hold the same record in district plays, 7-1, and share the top position in the standing.

“We knew what was at stake going into the game, but we also knew that they had to win this game, whereas we didn’t,” head coach Chris Capannola said. “We started out playing even, but foul trouble forced both our point guards to the bench with three fouls each in the second quarter, and Clarke took full advantage.”

Without juniors point guards Noel Obusan and Eion Oosterbaan on the floor, the team was unable to pace the offense. Junior Nate Ogle led the team with nine points. Seniors Philippe Griffiths and Brandon Alexander tipped in eight points each.

“We didn’t shoot well either when we did get shots, and we were only 4-13 from the free throw line which is very uncharacteristic of us,” Capannola said. “Clarke got a lot of offensive rebounds and scored that way, as well as a lot of fast break points so that hurt us.”

The loss ended Mason’s eight-game winning streak.

“It was a game they were desperate to win, and to their credit they did that,” Capannola said. “We controlled our own destiny before the Clarke loss, and we control our destiny now, so that loss doesn’t hurt as much as you might think.”

The Mustangs have two games left in the regular season. They face Rappahannock County on Monday, Feb. 7, and Strasburg High School on Tuesday, Feb. 8. If Mason and Clark both win the next games, they will face each other again on a one game playoff on Thursday Feb. 10 at Strasburg High School, a neutral site.