Jack Mendelsohn | The Chronicle
On paper, the Mason High School (MHS) boys’ basketball roster looks almost identical to last season. The results, however, could not be more different.
After a disheartening 4-19 finish to the 2024-2025 season, the Comets have flipped the script under new head coach CJ Fleming. Following previous head coach Adam Toohey’s announcement to step away from the program in March 2025, the Mason Board of Education appointed former Badin varsity coach CJ Fleming to the role. Under his leadership, the Comets are rolling into February with a current record of 10-3 and there is a new sentiment surrounding the Mason boys’ basketball program.
Head coach CJ Fleming motivates his team and draws out plays in a timeout during their 65-51 victory against Colerain on January 9th.
That change did not occur overnight. Rather than dwelling on last season’s record, the coaching staff and players jumped into the 2025-2026 season committed to redefining how they approached the game. Fleming emphasized belief, setting a standard that went beyond wins and losses. With the same players now producing different outcomes, Mason’s growth has been rooted in accountability and trust.
“Coming off a very tough season, we had to avoid looking back and move forward,” Fleming said. “I am incredibly proud of the way that the team has taken the identity that we, the staff, really wanted.”
The shift has also been evident in Mason’s style of play. While the roster remains mostly unchanged, the way the players work together has evolved. The Comets have focused on setting the tone early in the games, emphasizing strong, disciplined defense with slow-developing offensive possessions to control the tempo of games.
“I know that we are not always going to be able to score a ton of points,” Fleming said. “When we have guys that are playing incredibly hard and unselfish, that is where we get our results.”
Within that system, individual roles have become more clearly defined. Senior Tobi Oladapo has embodied his role on the team as a lockdown defender. Rather than being depended on for a more glamorous role like carrying the scoring load, Tobi is tasked as a primary defender. It is a responsibility that requires discipline and a willingness to put the team first.
“Tobi is someone who stands out for being committed to this team and doing whatever is needed to win,” Fleming said. “Tobi has absolutely accepted his role, and we are just so incredibly proud of not just Tobi, but all of our guys for accepting what the team needs from them.”
Tobi’s seamless embrace of his role has helped set a standard across the roster, reinforcing the idea that success comes from a team’s commitment to each other rather than individual victories. That mindset is what has put the Comets in a position to be able to finish strong rather than fall short in close games.
This commitment goes further than just a talking point in a huddle. Instilled by Fleming and his coaching staff, the team has the mentality that success will come with doing the small things right, whether it’s a box out or an extra pass. With the same roster now executing with greater precision, individual contributions have added up to huge success.
Sophomore guard Tosin Oladapo looks for a passing opportunity during the Comets’ thrilling 34-33 win against St. Xavier on December 2nd.
“For myself and the rest of the team, it is very important that we are fully bought into and committed to the system,” Tobi said. “Whether that is staying locked in defensively, talking on switches, or just trusting my teammates and the game plan.”
That mindset isn’t just limited to the upperclassmen; the underclassmen are quickly adapting to take on new varsity-level roles. By trusting the leadership of the veteran players, the younger players have been able to play a key role in the team’s success, one of the players being sophomore Tosin Oladapo.
“One thing that I have really noticed is how much my confidence has grown,” Tosin said. “I have been getting more comfortable playing at the varsity level, [and] with the speed of varsity games, I think that is very important.”
The team’s growth was put on display on December 5th during a game against the Princeton Vikings, when Mason pulled off a 50-42 win. After two losses to Princeton by 20 or more points last season, this victory marked a turning point for the Comets.
“When we beat Princeton on their home court, that really put [our growth] into perspective and made me realize how much better we had gotten,” Tosin said. “After that, as a team, we knew for a fact that we could hang with anybody.”
The victory against Princeton not only reinforced the team’s belief in its program, but it also signaled that Mason is no longer the group teams should want to play for an easy matchup. As the season continues, Fleming and his team are eager to continue their hot start, aiming to carry their momentum into the rest of the schedule and to set the stage for the program for years to come.
“There is a lot of talent that walks through these halls,” Fleming said. “I want players to want to wear green and I want them playing in that amazing arena. We are trying to build a culture and a program where kids feel that.”
