Cheney Scores 19, Breaks Mustang Girl’s Basketball Scoring Record

It was Friday the 13^th and ’s Stephanie Cheney only needed 13-points to break the school’s scoring record set 12-years ago by Kate Jackson who scored 1,185 career points. Jackson graduated in 2000.

If you believe in superstitions, the numbers were not in favor of the visiting girl’s basketball team from Manassas Park. Cheney scored a game high 19-points, surpassing Jackson’s record on a layup in the first quarter with just over seven seconds left.

“I didn’t know I had actually gotten it until I heard everyone cheering,” Cheney said after the game.

The fans on hand for the game gave Cheney a roaring ovation and the game was stopped in order to give her the game ball and a bouquet of roses. Teammate and long time friend Leah Roth was one of the first to great Cheney after she became the new scoring champion at Mason. Teary eyed and overcome with emotion, Roth and Cheney embraced when the two were rejoined on the sideline during the timeout.

“In the first quarter I looked to her more than usual,” Roth said. “Whoever comes after her it will be hard because she has another year left.”

Surrounded in the stands by his daughter’s classmates and the parents of other athletes, Craig Cheney sat quietly in the bleachers smiling with pride. He said the feat was nice for her teammates.

“I’m lucky,” he said while receiving congratulations from parents leaving after the game. “I got a chance to watch her play a lot.”

And play Cheney did.

Rather it was grabbing rebounds, blocking shots or cheering her team on, Cheney led the Mustangs to a Bull Run District victory. The Mustangs held Manassas Park to six total points from the first quarter to midways through the third quarter.

With five minutes left in the third quarter, Head Coach LaBryan Thomas took his starters out of the game and put his bench in.

“I think we actually played well,” Cheney said. “I think each player, one through 15, played well.”

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Cheney led all scores and freshman Katie Goodwin scored 6-points off the bench. Ava Roth and Krista Kelly each scored 5-points for the Mustangs.