Down and out: Eagles fall to Mustangs in regionals

View larger image Clarke County's Rondell Anderson attempts a layup while guarded by George Mason's Jeremy Stewart during their game Friday in Strasburg. Dennis Grundman/Daily Recommend This Print This Get E-mail News Alerts Buy Photos/Page Reprints * Breaking News If local news is breaking and you know about it: * Call Us: 800-296-5137 * E-mail Us * Upload Your Photos View larger image Clarke County coach Brent Emmert grimaces in the third quarter. The Eagles only scored two points in the frame. Dennis Grundman/Daily View larger image Clarke County’s Matt Moyer (11) takes a shot over George Mason's Brandon Alexander during their game Friday in Strasburg. The Mustangs won, 43-30. Dennis Grundman/Daily View larger image Stephan Bodkin (12) and Ethan Emmart (20) try to trap Ryan Moost of George Mason and make a steal. Dennis Grundman/Daily

By Jerry Holsworth - sports@nvdaily.com

STRASBURG -- It was the rubber match for two Bull Run District rivals and the semifinals of the Region B boys basketball tournament, and it had the added bonus of a free ticket to the Group A State tournament. But for Clarke County, it was also one of the most disappointing moments of the season.

The Eagles, despite several opportunities, just weren't able to overcome the defense of George Mason in a tense, methodical game the Mustangs won 43-30 at Strasburg High School on Friday.

The district duo had split their four previous meetings this year, with Clarke County taking the regular season district crown and the Mustangs winning the district tournament. But none of that mattered after the final whistle as George Mason's season continues tonight at Spotswood, where they meet Dan River in the Region B championship game. Clarke County's is over.

In a game that featured tenacious defense by both sides, it came down to the third quarter, and the first four minutes of that quarter in particular.

Despite holding a 27-18 lead to begin the second half, the Mustangs pushed the door wide open for a dramatic Eagles' comeback. Missing their first five field goal attempts George Mason gave Clarke County the opportunity it needed to get back into the game.
Unfortunately for the Eagles, their offensive performance was even more inept. Clarke County committed three critical turnovers over the first three minutes of the third quarter and failed to even get a shot off over the same time period.

"I've been coaching for 23 years, and I've not seen guys who play defense as consistently as these guys do," Mustangs coach Chris Capannola said. "They just don't let the other team get an open shot, and they work hard to get the rebound."

When the Eagles did shoot, they couldn't seem to connect against the furious Mustangs defense. Clarke County went 1-for-5 during the eight minute period, and scored their only bucket on a jumper by Rondell Anderson with 11 seconds left in the quarter.

"We turned the ball over three times in the first moments of the third quarter," Eagles coach Brent Emmart said. "The third quarter was our demise. We didn't hit a field goal until the final seconds of the period."

George Mason didn't do much better on offense, attempting only nine shots and connecting on just three.

When the Mustangs did connect, however, it was devastating. Of the three baskets Mason did make in the third quarter, two were 3-pointers. That put Clarke County behind 35-21 at the end of the period, and in a hole that was nearly impossible to overcome.

The Mustangs did commit another six turnovers in the final period, but the Eagles weren't much better on the offensive end in the fourth quarter than they were in the third. Clarke County managed to hit just four of its 14 field goal attempts in the final eight minutes of play.

The low score was the result of both team's defensive effort. With neither side giving the other many chances on the offensive end, both teams slowed down their play and worked patiently for scoring opportunities.

The Mustangs were able to take an early lead thanks to the 3-point shooting of Jeremy Stewart and Nate Ogle. With Clarke County holding a narrow 11-9 lead with 3:31 left in the first quarter, Ogle hit a pair of 3's to put the Mustangs up 15-11 with 1:31 left.

Stewart followed that with an old fashioned 3-point play, drawing a foul on a layup, then hitting his free throw to put George Mason up 18-11 heading into the second quarter.
After taking a comfortable lead at the end of the first period, the Mustangs worked the ball around the perimeter and controlled the tempo and held the lead for the remainder of the game.

Ogle and Stewart led George Mason with 14 points each. Mustangs center Brandon Alexander also scored in double figures with 10 points.

Clarke County's top scorer was Stephan Bodkin with eight points.