Lady Mustangs Win Regional Opener, Move on to Semifinal

By STEVEN BRIESE
February 22, 2012

The George Mason High School girls basketball team defeated Goochland High School 68-35 Wednesday night in the first round of the Region B Tournament, earning a spot in Friday’s Regional semifinal.

In the game played at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School, the Bulldogs of Goochland started fast, hitting their first two shots to take a 5-0 lead.  Mason Coach LaBryan Thomas encouraged his team to tighten the defense and saw the results right away.  Three consecutive fast break  baskets later, Mason was ahead 8-5, on the way to a 19-0 run.  Mason ended the first quarter leading 23-7.

The Mustangs continued the pressure in the second quarter.  Freshman Ava Roth finished the quarter with two steals that she took straight to the hoop to send Mason into the break leading 40-19.

The Lady Mustangs used their three point shooting in the third quarter to increase their lead to 30 points after back to back field goals by Sophomores Juliana Rollo and Jaya Chavern.  Coach Thomas then gave the starters some well deserved rest and tried several combinations on the floor.

Senior Lauren Kane led all scorers with 18 points in her last game on the hardwood at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School.  Stephanie Cheney tallied 13, Ashley Alexander scored 10, and Freshman Katie Goodwin added eight.  The balanced scoring for the Lady Mustangs was completed by Jaya Chavern with five points, Ava Roth with four points, Leah Roth and Juliana Rollo with three each, and Taylor Briese with two.

The Lady Mustangs continue their pursuit of a return trip to the State Tournament with a 7pm game at Strasburg High School Friday night.