Boys’ Varsity Basketball
In Nail Biter, Mustangs Hold Off
Strasburg Rams
54-51
By Will Stewart (January 20, 2006)
The boys’ basketball team
led for all four quarters but had to withstand a fourth-quarter run by
Strasburg, before defeating the Rams 54-51 for a district win Wednesday
night at home. The evening was filled with several exciting moments that
accentuated a hard-fought and solid competition. The Mustangs were led
by a 15-point performance from junior Jack “Bird” Settje,
who was backed up by even scoring from the rest of the starters, including
11 points by Travis Greene, and nine by both Valdis Kravalis and
Paul Mene. Mason Madness was out in full force
at the home game, inspiring the Mustangs and distracting opponents with
squawking and chants of “air ball.”
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Kravalis dominated the interior for the Mustangs, picking up
several blocks, while Greene and Mene shredded
the Rams’ defense in their frequent drives to the basket. Junior
Ben Zorn managed a field goal before his premature departure due
to an injury. Sophomore Mike Schwengel led the offense with style, committing few turnovers
and adding three free throws. Junior Alex Goetting produced
four points and was impressive in his relentless hustle for rebounds
and loose balls, ending up on the floor several times.
From
the get-go, GM’s
full-court press surprised Strasburg into early turnovers. The Mustangs
converted these to points, doing a good job of driving the ball to
the basket. After the second quarter began, Strasburg picked up the
first of the night’s three technical fouls. Goetting and
Zorn also entered the game in the second period to rousing cheers
from the crowd. Unfortunately, Zorn injured his ankle, forcing him
to leave the game near halftime. At the break, the score stood at
Mustangs 34, Rams 26.
The excitement
did now slow down during halftime. A few members of the “Red Zone,” as
the student cheering section has been nicknamed, went out to entertain
the crowd
and demonstrate their basketball prowess. Both sophomore Mike Straub
and junior Eddie Huber made shots from half-court, which drew grand
applause.
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| Senior
shooting guard Paul Mene goes up for two of his nine points against
Strasburg Wed. night as his Mustangs won 54-51 in a nail biter.
The win solidifies Mason’s hold on second place in the Bull
Run District and puts their overall record at 11-4 and 4-1 in the
district. (Photo by Margaret Lipman) |
After the uniformed players
returned to the court, the scoring slowed down a bit, with both teams playing
solid defense. This was interrupted
by one of the most impressive plays of the night. Greene got the ball on a
fast break and passed to Kravalis, who was open under
the basket. Kravalis attempted a dunk, which was
altered and missed, but the referees called a technical foul for hanging on
the rim. The interrupted play continued, and eventually several displeasing
calls by the official provoked George Mason coach Bill Broderick to call a
timeout.
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The
exhilarating fourth quarter began with the Mustangs up 41 to 35.
Play remained even until Mason picked up another technical following
a questionable charge call on Goetting. Aided by free throw attempts from Mason fouls,
the Rams pulled to within three points at 44–41. The deficit remained
until 1:49 was left to play, when Strasburg made it 50–48. Another
free throw 27 seconds later pulled the Rams to within a point
of the Mustangs.
The Rams got the ball again, but a steal by Kravalis gave
it back to the Mustangs. A pause in the exciting play occurred
when Bird went down with an injury with 40 seconds left to play.
The Rams had put Schwengel on the line, and he converted two free throws to
give the ‘Stangs a three-point edge.
Coach Broderick called a timeout with 25 seconds left to compose
his players. They responded, as Greene came up with a steal and
took it down for a lay-up, on which he was fouled flagrantly.
Greene made the basket but missed both free throws with seven
seconds remaining on the clock. A futile lay-in during the final
seconds made the final score Mustangs 54, Rams 51. |
| Senior
guard Travis Greene and junior Alex Goetting play tight defense
as they stop a lay-up by the Strasburg forward. (Photo by Margaret
Lipman). |
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