The George Mason High School boys basketball team beat William Monroe High School by a hair last Wednesday in a 64-60 home victory. Good free throw shooting in the final minutes and great guard play throughout the game helped the Mustangs win a game in which neither team led by more than eight points.

The Mustangs (10-3, 5-1) gave William Monroe (9-5, 5-1), who joined the Bull Run District this year, their first loss in the district.

“Like I told the kids in the locker room,” coach Chris Capannola said, “that was just good high school basketball. Two good teams, no one giving an inch, you know. And I told the guys, we held serve at home.”

The Mustangs started the game out looking startled by a low-post that led the Dragons to a 14-6 lead early in the first quarter. The Mustangs shortened that lead to 16-15 by the end of the first quarter. Although heightened defensive pressure on senior forward Philippe Griffiths limited him to five points, a steal by him midway through the first quarter led to his only three pointer of the game and kicked off the Mustangs comeback.

Senior point guard Noel Obusan stepped up in his place by scoring 29 points and hitting 8 of 9 free throw shots. Nate Ogle, a senior forward, scored 11 points and went three for four from the free throw line. Senior guard Eion Oosterbaan added 10 points to the Mustangs’ strong guard play.

Tomorrow night, the Mustangs travel to Manassas Park High School to take on the Cougars. Then, on Jan. 18, they will host Madison County High School, a team that beat George Mason 57-53 early on in the season.