Schools

Mason Fends Off Late Comeback, Advance to Semifinals

Mustangs return to VHSL final four for second consecutive year.

George Mason High pounded Essex High for three quarters Saturday before winning a 56-52 nail biter in the Virginia High School League quarterfinal.

The Mustangs were up 43-28 going into the fourth quarter before Keith Bundy and Reggie Johnson led an Essex comeback. The game came down to two Mason possessions when Noel Obusan was fouled and sent to the free throw line. The senior guard sunk both pair of shots sealing the Mustangs’ victory.

“Every since we lost here last year, we’ve been practicing to get back,” Obusan said.

Find out what's happening in Falls Churchwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

For the second consecutive season, the Mustangs will be playing in the VHSL semifinal. The Mustangs will move onto play Fort Chiswell Friday at 12:15 p.m. at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Siegel Center. Fort Chiswell defeated Union to punch their ticket to the semifinal.

Chris Capannola, Mason’s head coach, said it was a great win for his team. He said it was senior leadership that got them over the hump in the game. Mason clamped down on Johnson, one Essex’s hot hands, holding him to 9-points on 4 of 13 shooting. Capannola said he didn’t know much about Essex’s style of play prior to the game but knew Johnson was a good shooter.

Find out what's happening in Falls Churchwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“They took it to us in the end and they wanted to win,” Capannola said. “We’re moving on because we beat a good team.”

FREE THROWS

Besides the four late free throws to ice the game, Obusan scored 10-points. Senior Nate Ogle scored a team high 15-points followed by 14-points from Philippe Griffiths. Dimitri Venets scored 12-points on 6 of 7 shooting. Mason shot almost 44 percent from three-point land connecting on 7 of 16 shots. Mason started on a 9-0 run to start the game before Essex scored their first points with 4:32 left in the first quarter.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here