William Monroe dominated the glass and defeated the Mustang Boys 54-46 Friday night to tie for first place in the Bull Run District.  A George Mason win would have given the Mustangs the title, but it was not meant to happen that night in Stanardsville.  Philippe Griffiths and Noel Obusan led GM with 10 points apiece, while Will Nunley had 8 and Nate Ogle 7.

Both Monroe big men got to the rim at will against Mason, putting back several of their own misses, which was the difference in the game.  WM (14-6, 11-2 BRD) entered the final period up 40-30 after taking a 26-22 lead into the halftime locker room.  The Mustangs (17-4, 11-2) made a valiant attempt at a comeback going on a late 8-2 run led by two Griffiths three-pointers to cut the lead to 49-46 with 50 seconds left. However, Monroe went 6-7 from the line in the last minute to ice the game.

Both squads have one game remaining in the regular season – GM is at home against Manassas Park at 7:45pm Tuesday night for (their Senior Night) while WM plays Rappahannock.  Since the Mason and Monroe Boys have now each won against the other at home, if both teams win (or lose), a one game playoff for the regular season title will be played at the neutral Strasburg High School court on Wednesday at 7 PM. The winner of that game will host the semifinals of the Bull Run District tournament. Manassas Park is 3-9 in the District and 7-14 overall.

George Mason’s Boys Varsity basketball team traveled to Clarke County Friday for a key Bull Run District game with the Eagles, who stood one game behind GM in the standings. The hostile environment usually produces close games, but not this time, as the Mustangs roared out of the gate with a 20-2 first quarter run and never looked back, defeating Clarke 51-38 for their seventh straight victory. The win puts Mason at 13-3 overall but more importantly 8-1 in the BRD, and earned the Stangs a sweep over Clarke in the season series.

Seven Mustangs scored in the opening quarter. Philippe Griffiths, Eion Oosterbaan and Noel Obusan all nailed three pointers to spark the backbreaking rally. Clarke (10-6, 6-3) missed numerous point blank attempts in the period, and Mason pounced on the mistakes. The lead stretched to 25-4 at one point in the second before the Eagles closed to 29-13 at half.

A brief run in the third period pulled the home squad to within 8 at 39-31, but Nate Ogle scored 9 of his team high 16 points in the stanza to keep the lead safe. Noel Obusan added 11 points and Oosterbaan had 8 for the guests. Only a dismal 6-13 effort from the free throw line from Mason kept Clarke within shouting distance, as the Stangs managed to miss all 3 front ends of their one-and-one opportunities in the fourth quarter. Stellar defense on Clarke sharpshooter Ethan Emmart held him to 5 points, and with most of the other Eagles in early foul trouble, GM was able to hold a comfortable lead from the first period on.

Mason will travel to Central-Woodstock Wednesday night before hosting Strasburg Friday at MEH. Game time is 7:45 for both contests.

The George Mason High School boys varsity basketball team handed William Monroe its first loss in district play tonight as the Mustangs prevailed 64-60 at the Mary Ellen Henderson Gymnasium.

The Monroe Dragons came out firing in the first quarter, going up 16-7 lead with 3 minutes remaining in the period.  The Mustangs remained unrattled, however, chipping away until they took the lead mid-way through the second quarter.

The game remained close into the fourth period, with Mason able to gain no more than a six point advantage.  Monroe briefly regained the lead by one point with seven minutes left to play, but Mason stormed back with key baskets and free throws to thwart the Dragons’ effort. 

GMHS in a 2-3 zone defense to counter a taller Monroe front line.

On defense, George Mason went man-to-man most of the game, but switched to a 2-3 zone late in the game to counter a taller Monroe front line.  The move worked for the Mustangs, as the zone allowed them to bottle up the inside, force shots from the perimeter, and box out for rebounds.

Point guard Noel Obusan led the Mustang offense with 30 points, repeatedly penetrating the Monroe defense for shots in the paint and adding 8 of 9 from the free-throw line.  Nate Ogle had 13 points and 9 rebounds for the Mustangs, including key plays in the fourth quarter as Mason fought off Monroe’s comeback attempts. 

With the victory, Mason moves into a tie for first place in the Bull Run District, sharing the top spot with Monroe and Madison County.   The Mustangs are 5-1 in district play and10-3 overall.

Mason plays at Manassas Park Thursday at 7:45pm to complete the first round of Bull Run District play.

George Mason’s varsity boys basketball team drubbed winless Rappahannock County 71-29 last night for the Mustang’s  third straight win.  Noel Obusan scored 12 and Philippe Griffiths 11 for GM in limited action, and junior Angel Casteneda added a career-high 9 for Mason, which improves to 9-3 overall and 4-1 in the Bull Run District.  Nick Bourbeau scored 8 points and Will Nunley 7, including a 5-6 effort from the free throw line.

Mason has now held its last three district opponents under 40 points, outscoring them by an average of 70-31.  Things get markedly tougher for the Stangs Tuesday as league-leading William Monroe visits for a 7:45 contest at the Mary Ellen Henderson gymnasium.  Monroe is undefeated in Bull Run play at 5-0, including come from behind OT wins vs. Madison and Clarke County.  Mason and Madison County are both a game behind at 4-1.

The George Mason boys varsity basketball team defeated Freedom-South Riding High School 50-37  Thursday night to take 3rd place in the  Joe Cascio Tournament at Falls Church High. 

The Mustangs played a strong defensive game, executing a man-to-man defense with efficiency, while riding the offensive performance of senior Co-Captains Nate Ogle and Phillippe Griffiths.  Ogle, named to the All-Tournament Team at evening’s end, finished with 20 points and 13 rebounds, while Griffiths had 16 points and nine rebounds. 

George Mason's Noel Obusan charges the basket (Photographer: Brendan Reals)

Special to the FALLS CHURCH TIMES
December 12, 2011

Nate Ogle scored 17 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead Mason to a 60-41 win over The Avalon School Friday at Mary Ellen Henderson’s gym.  Noel Obusan added 12 points and dished out a team-high 8 assists as GM (3-1) overcame a half-time deficit to shake off a pesky Black Knight squad for the victory.

Mason's Will Nunley goes high for a shot (Photographer: Brendan Reals)

GM was on fire out of the gate Friday as Philippe Griffiths (9 points) nailed three first quarter triples, with Ogle adding one of his own, staking the hosts to a 16-7 lead after one quarter.  Avalon took advantage of some sloppy play by Mason in the second however, and coupled with Griffiths third personal foul of the half, took a 23-22 lead into the locker room at the break.  The third quarter and first four minutes of the fourth were all Mason though, with the Stangs going on a 26-6 run bridging the two periods to put the game away.  Junior Will Nunley had a breakout game for GM, scoring 9 points, and classmate Nick Bourbeau was a sparkplug off the bench, dishing out 4 assists to go along with 3 steals.

Mason travels to Madison County Tuesday night (12/13) to take on the Mountaineers in the Bull Run District opener for both teams before hosting Clarke County Thursday (12/15) at Mary Ellen Henderson.  Game time is 7:45 for both contests.

Photo credit: Brendan Reals

Avalon can't get the shot off against Mason's Nate Ogle (Photographer: Brendan Reals)

Mustang Boys and Girls Celebrate Region B Championships

After victories in the Region B tournament on Saturday, George Mason’s Girls and Boys basketball teams are headed to the state tournament.

In games at Spotswood High School last Saturday (2/26) the boys upset Dan River 74 to 65 while the girls continued their quest for a third State Championship by handling East Rockingham 57 to 34.

The victories set up the two teams for a double header in the State Tournament Quarterfinal round at Robinson High School on Saturday March 5th. The Girls will play Lancaster at 11 a.m. followed by the Boys against Middlesex at 12:45 p.m.

Robinson Junior/Senior High School (the largest school in the Commonwealth of Virginia according to Wikipedia) is is about a 25 minute drive west and south of Falls Church. It will be a lovely trip for Mustang fans who want to cheer on our kids!


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Mustangs Celebrate Region B Semi-final victory

Falls Church Times Staff

February 26, 2011

The Mustangs Girls and Boys basketball teams both continued their run to state with victories over Clarke County this week.  The girls soundly defeated Clarke County 65 to 19 on Thursday. This was the fourth time this season the Mason Girls overcame Clarke. (More details about Thursday’s game from The Northern Virginia Daily.)

Meanwhile, the Boys defeated the Eagles 43 to 30 in Strasburg last night to earn their third victory over rival Clarke this season. (The story from The Northern Virginia Daily.)

Both teams will travel to Spotswood High School for the Region B finals tonight.  The #1 seeded Mustang Girls will play #2 seed East Rockingham at 6 p.m. and the #3 seeded Boys will play #1 seed Dan River at 8 p.m. Regardless of tonight’s results, both teams are headed to the State Tournament.

Echoing the Washington Post article about the distance these kids go to represent Falls Church City, tonight’s game is over 100 miles away, near Harrisonburg!

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February 22, 2010

Since today’s game was postponed by snow, the George Mason Mustangs Girls Basketball team will join the Boys tomorrow night (2/23) in a Region B Tournament doubleheader. Mustang Gym at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School will host the Boys vs. Appomattox at 6 p.m. followed by the Girls vs. Strasburg at 8 p.m.

The Boys are seeded third in Region B and, with a win, will travel to Strasburg on 2/25 to face the winner of Clarke County vs. Central Woodstock.

The Girls are the top seed in their bracket. A victory tomorrow will send them to Strasburg on Thursday (2/24) to face either Randolph Henry or Clarke County.

Boys celebrate Bull Run District Title (Photo by Kevin Ogle)

SPECIAL TO THE FALLS CHURCH TIMES

February 19, 2011

George Mason’s boys basketball team defeated rival Clarke at Clarke Friday night 53 to 44 to become the Bull Run District champions.  This follows the two-time defending state champion girls’ victory, also over Clarke, 55 to 32 on Thursday clinching their district title.

Juniors Nate Ogle and Jeremy Stewart were selected 1st Team Bull Run All-District while Juniors Phillipe Griffiths and Noel Obusan were named to 2nd Team All-District. George Mason coach Chris Capannola was named  the Bull Run  District Coach of the Year.

The boys will begin Regional play with at home on Wednesday (2/23) followed by a game in Strasburg next Friday (2/25).

GM Girls host Bull Run District trophy (FCCPS Photos/John Brett)

On the girls’ side, sophomore Stephanie Cheney was named the Bull Run District’s Most Outstanding Player and coach LaBryan Thomas was named District Coach of the Year. The All-District 1st team includes Cheney, junior Leah Roth and freshman Ashley Alexander. Freshman Rebecca Moot was named to the All-District 2nd team.

The girls begin regional play at home against Strasburg on Tuesday 2/22 at 7 p.m.