Coming off their first loss of the season to Briar Woods High, the George Mason High School varsity girls’ basketball team entered the Pohanka Holiday Classic hoping to make some noise in the field predominately comprised of AAA schools.
However, despite three solid efforts on the part of the Mustangs, the competition of the bigger schools overwhelmed Mason, as the team dropped three straight to fall to 7-4 on the season.
Playing in the sixth place game on Saturday morning, Mason fell victim to a cold fourth quarter, losing to Stone Bridge 52-26. Down 18 points at halftime, the Mustangs rallied back to cut the Bulldogs’ lead to six at the end of the third period.
Stone Bridge (3-6) quelled whatever shot Mason had at victory in the final quarter though, as they were held scoreless en route to their lowest offensive output of the season.
Sophomore Nicole Mitchell and senior Olivia Scott paced the squad, each finishing with six points. Senior Annie Zweighaft chipped in five, while the Bulldogs held Mason’s leading scorer, senior Bailey Walton, to a mere four points.
Just one day prior, numerous injuries led to a Mustang loss against Mills Godwin High in the second game of the tournament, 53-40. Senior captain Meredith Hamme re-injured her knee — she tore her ACL last season — and junior Abby Stroup sat out the entire tournament with a sprained ankle, leaving Mason with a lack of experience both on the perimeter and in the post.
Last Thursday, Mason dropped their opener against eventual champion Chantilly, 56-38. The host Chargers came out of the gates firing, as they built up a 20 point lead by halftime.
Hamme led the Mustangs with eight points, while junior Mayssa Chehata and Walton added seven apiece. Junior Kim Kenny finished with six to round out the top scorers for Mason.
The Pohanka Tournament was the final tune-up for Mason, who will host their Bull Run District opener this Friday, Jan. 4 against Manassas Park High at 7:30 p.m.
