Kings of the Bull Run District

With seconds left in the game a “district champions” chant rang from the George Mason High student section during Thursday night’s 67-54 win over William Monroe.

It was the first time in years that the Mason boys had won the regular season and Bull Run District Tournament championships in the same season. The Mustangs won the tournament last season as well.

“It’s amazing,” said 2011-2012 Bull Run District Player of the Year Noel Obusan. “I never knew it could happen.”

Obusan scored 20-points for the Mustangs including two big late plays in the first and second quarters. With time expiring in the first quarter, Obusan rattled in a three-pointer and with 8.6 seconds left in the second quarter he drove to the basket making the layup and foul shot.

With every play Obusan was involved in, one of his biggest fans cheered, high fived with others and when William Monroe players played the speedy guard too physical, Noel Obusan Sr. let the referees know about it.

“I’m proud of him,” Noel Sr. said. “He played well. I had him rest before the game so he would be ready.”

The two teams played a close game until the third quarter when the Mustangs began to pull away on the heels of a Dimitri Venets three-pointer and a Will Nunley three-point play. Mason played strong defense in the fourth quarter, hustling for loose balls on the floor and crashing the boards for rebounds. Head Coach Chris Capannola, who was named district Coach of the Year for the second consecutive year, said he was proud of how is veterans stepped up in the game.

“It was the senior leadership that brought us back,” Capannola said. “I think the home court helped a little to.”

The Mustangs will now begin play in the Virginia High School League state tournament Tuesday night at home.

FREE THROWS

The Mustangs cleaned up with awards and honors during a postgame ceremony honoring the best players in the Bull Run District. Aside from being named Player of the Year, Obusan was also named first-team All District along with Nate Ogle (13-points). Senior Philippe Griffiths was named second teal all district. Capannola won his second consecutive Coach of the Year award (third award overall) and gave the credit to his team.

“You don’t win Coach of the Year without good players,” he said. “Good players make good coaches.”

Eion Oosterbaan scored 14-points in the game and Nunley and Jeremy Stewart scored seven and six points respectively.