The Mustangs, led by junior post player Bailey Walton who has put up an impressive 16 points a game, have surged to a 3-3 record on the season, including two straight wins over J.E.B. Stuart and Briar Woods. While their youth and inexperience has definitely shown early in the year, the squad has turned out impressive and gritty performances throughout the season, demonstrating that the best is truly yet to come. Mason kicked off the season by playing in the annual Liberty/Fauquier tournament, versus some of the top AAA teams in the area. Their first game, against host Fauquier, featured the Mustangs dominating the boards to score a “W” in their first win of the year. Walton put in 11 points to add to eight rebounds. Sophomore Kim Kenny nearly netted a double-double, falling one point short with 10 boards and 9 points. Junior Annie Zweighaft chipped into the effort with 10 point s, as well as going 8 for 11 from the free-throw line.

Senior captain Ashley Thompson and junior point guard Rachel Kazman look on as junior Annie Zweighaft’s free throw goes up against Potomac Falls High School last night. (Photo by Rebecca Gomez)

While the offense took a little while to get going (the score was 15-11 at the half), the Mustangs had no problem finding the bottom of the net in the second half, as they exploded for 15 and 18 points in the final two quarters, respectively, to net the win.

The Mustangs dropped their final two games in the tournament, falling to perennial powerhouse Charlottesville High 63-34, and Liberty High in the third place game, 47-38.

Against Charlottesville, the Mustangs were led by Walton, who had 12 points. Notable performances were also turned in by freshman back-up point guard, Nicole Mitchell, who grabbed six rebounds.

While taking on Liberty, Walton continued her hot shooting, putting up 16 points. Senior captain Ashley Thompson controlled the paint throughout the night, as she grabbed an impressive 14 rebounds to go along with 6 points. Unfortunately, the Mustangs shot a mere 33 percent from the field, ultimately falling to the Eagles 47-38.

Mason’s record fell to 1-3 on the year as they lost to AAA school Loudoun County 44-35. Walton and Zweighaft led the squad with 12 points each. Zweighaft continued her hot shooting from the charity stripe, going 8 for 8 on the night, while Thompson grabbed six rebounds.

While the Mustangs’ youth and inexperience may have been exposed earlier in the season, it was definitely not a factor as Mason romped over AA Briar Woods 45-30. For the fourth game in a row, Walton led the Mustangs in scoring, netting 20 points, while Thompson pulled in 10 rebounds. Mason led the whole way, getting up 17-7 at halftime, and never looked back.

Hot shooting from the free throw line and pesky defense, combined with the determination and will to never give up propelled the Mustangs to their second win in a row, against Route-7 rival J.E.B. Stuart last Friday, 58-48.

Bailey Walton turned in her most impressive performance as a member of the varsity squad to date, scoring a season-high 25 points, including four three-pointers and four steals. Zweighaft and Mitchell combined to go 9 for 10 from the foul line, as well as netting a combined nine steals. Kenney and Mitchell dominated the Raider post players, hauling in 10 and nine rebounds, respectively.

While the Mustangs were down late in the game, they battled back and eventually overwhelmed the raiders. Clutch free-throw shooting down the stretch sealed the victory and improved Mason’s record to 3-3 on the year.

Right now, however, it looks as though Coach Bill Broderick has gotten his team on the right track, and with a varsity winter tournament at Chantilly fast approaching, as well as a January 4 date with state-runner up and district rival Clarke County, the Mustangs hope they can get where they need to be in order to make a run at the district title.

The next home game for Mason will take place on Monday, Dec. 18 against Briar Woods, with a Freshman, Sub-Varsity, and Varsity tripleheader at 4:30, 6, and 7:30.