MASON COMETS KNOCK OFF PRINCETON 54-47
Abby Waechter | Managing Editor
The Mason Comets traveled to Princeton on Wednesday, January 12 and took the top spot in the GMC defeating the Vikings 54-47.
The Vikings have been dominating opponents this season, but the Comets immediately asserted themselves by taking a 15-10 lead after a quarter of play.
The Vikings, behind leading scorer Sole Williams, fought back in the second quarter to close the gap and head to half trailing by one, 24-23.
In the third quarter, the Comets increased the defensive pressure led by the dominating inside presence of senior center Kyla Oldacre and junior forward Gabby Razzano. The Comets outscored the Vikings 15-10 in the quarter, and headed to the final quarter leading 39-33.
Princeton nailed a couple three point shots in the fourth quarter, but the Comets were able to hold off the Vikings to prevail. Despite being a freshman, guard Madie Parish turned in a solid game as the floor general. Parish led the Comets in scoring with 17 points, two assists, five rebounds, and two steals, while playing the entire 32 minutes of the game. Oldacre added 16 points and nine rebounds, and junior Amanda Barnes continued her steady play with 11 points and four rebounds.
Parish, who had to deal with the Vikings’ defensive pressure the entire game, was excited about how the team came together and said that the team did not falter under the pressure of playing the league leading Vikings on their home court.
“Collectively, as a team, we have worked so hard this whole season,” Parrish said. “Matula always says ‘we’re unfinished’ and we built on that tonight with this performance being our next goal.”
The collective effort of the entire team was on display in the game’s final quarter. With the Vikings trying to mount a furious comeback, several Comets stepped up to contribute in a variety of ways. Junior guard Joy Resig’s all around solid play was instrumental in securing the Comets’ victory. Resig said that she felt that the team’s win was due in large part to all the preparation the Comets put in before they took the court.
“I’m so proud of how we played tonight, we spent a lot of time preparing, going over film, and practicing,” Resig said. “Seeing it all come together tonight against Princeton, especially, shows that we can do whatever we want.”
Head coach Rob Matula knew that his team had their work cut out for them. Not only did they have to try to contain Princeton’s star junior guard, but the Vikings also had plenty of weapons to contend with on the offensive end of the court, and said that the Comets were able to overcome their competition.
“As a coach, before a big game, I have to take on a ‘pick your poison’ approach as to how to do things, and hope it works out,” Matula said. “Tonight, it worked out, and we did a good job playing the perimeter, which forced them to take some deep shots, and it worked out for us.”
The Comets are back in action this weekend when they travel to The Classic in the Country. Mason will once again participate in the basketball classic showcasing some of the top high school girls basketball teams in the nation. Parish said that she believes the win over Princeton will serve as a catalyst to boost the Comets headed into the challenge that the team will face at the classic.
“We’re ready for whoever comes at us,” Parrish said. “We’re just going to keep on dominating as much as we possibly can.”