Lady Mustangs Ready for VHSL Semifinal Opponent

George Mason High spent Wednesday’s practice shooting around and finalizing their game plan for Glenvar High in the Virginia High School League semifinals Thursday. The Lady Mustangs tip off at 8:45 p.m. at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Siegel Center.

Head Coach LaBryan Thomas said Glenvar is a guard-oriented team and the key to the game is to not let them get open shots. The Lady Mustangs went through physical, high-paced practices Monday and Tuesday to keep them honest heading into the semifinals, Thomas said.

“We’ve been playing great ball,” he said. “I don’t want to lose that.”

This will be the Highlander’s fifth trip to the semifinals in school history. Glenvar finished the regular season with an 18-4 record behind team captain Jessi Strom. The 5 feet 5 inch tall guard scored her 1,000th career point this season and Thomas said Strom is one of the best shooters on her team.

Thomas said it’s senior Krista Kelly’s responsibility to guard Strom Thursday.

“She has the job of stopping their best player,” Thomas said. “That’s been her job all season.”

Kelly said she is ready for that responsibility.

“I always feel a little pressure in defending their best player,” Kelly said. “I just have faith in my skills and go out and do the job.”

FREE THROWS

This is Mason’s ninth trip to the VHSL semifinals and they have won three state championships. The Lady Mustangs also finished the regular season with an 18-4 record, along the way Thomas earned Bull Run District Coach of the Year for the fourth consecutive season and Stephanie Cheney won district Player of the Year for her second consecutive season.