Lady Mustangs Move One Game Closer to Winning Bull Run District

Lauren Kane is one of the players on the George Mason High girl’s basketball team that won state championships the last two seasons.

Kane, a junior, said raising another championship trophy and banner is something she thinks about every time she steps on the court. Thursday night, the Mustangs moved one game closer to winning the Bull Run District by beating visiting Rappahannock County 78-21.

The Mustangs can win the district title with a win over Clarke County High Friday night.

“Last year’s team was more athletic,” Kane said. “This year we definitely have a good team.”

Kane scored 19-points in the game and was active on defense for the Mustangs (14-5 overall, 7-0 in the Bull Run District) causing turnovers, grabbing rebounds and stealing the ball.

Mason Head Coach LaBryant Thomas said he stresses to his team the importance of playing defense all the time. With a commanding lead Thursday night, Thomas made several substitutes keeping fresh players in the game while still stressing the point of playing hard.

“We have to strive,” Thomas said. “We set goals at the beginning of the year with one being to get back to VCU (for the championship game), play as a team and work on our defense.”

Leah Roth, another of Thomas’ juniors who won two state championships, said keeping the team on the same page can be difficult at times. Roth, who scored 10-points Thursday, said this year’s team is young, with five freshmen and two sophomores. In slow games, Roth said she is glad to see the younger players getting more experience.

“Playing the younger players in these kind of games keeps everyone on the same page,” Roth said. “Sometimes it’s hard to get them where we want them because they’re younger, but we work on what we need to work on and not just what we’re good at.”

The shorthanded Rappahannock team fell to 4-10 on the season and just 1-6 in the Bull Run District with the loss. Head Coach Robbie Thornhill said he only has seven players and one of those was not with the team Thursday as she was dealing with a family matter. Thornhill said he refers to his team as the “Magnificent Seven” because they work hard and just enjoy the game.

“They’re giving me great effort every day,” Thornhill said. “I have seven girls who just want to play basketball.”

Mason sophomore Stephanie Cheney led all score with 21-points. Joslyn Smith (8-points) and Paula Accioly (5-points) led Rappahannock in scoring.

In Other News

The Mustangs boy’s basketball team traveled to Clarke County High Thursday with a chance to clinch the Bull Run championship. The Mustangs lost the game 61-37.