Decade-Long Hiatus Not Worrying Mason Boys, Coach

It was 10-years ago the last time the George Mason High boys played in the state basketball tournament. They made it to the final four in the tournament before they were eliminated.

Head Coach Chris Capannola, who coached that team in 2001, said this year’s team doesn’t have one standout player like that team a decade ago, but they play together and trust each other.

“There’s a lot of similarities between that team and this one,” Capannola said. “These guys bought into the theory that defense wins games.”

The Mustangs posted a 21-win season (five losses) and tipoff against Middlesex High in the state quarterfinal at 12:45 p.m. Saturday at Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax. En route to the state quarterfinal game, the Mustangs won the Bull Run District Tournament.

All season, the Mustangs have lived by the three-point shot. Capannola said he has guys who can shoot it and do it well.

One of those three-point threats, Philippe Griffiths, isn’t letting the excitement of playing in the state tournament get to him.

“Our school hasn’t been to the tournament often,” Griffiths said Thursday during a practice. “It’s a unique experience.”

Over the last four-years, senior Brandon Alexander has watched Mason’s girl’s team play in the state tournament and come home with the state championship the last two seasons. This year, he’s excited to be playing in the tournament, as is his sister, Ashley, who stars for the girl’s team.

“It’s a big deal for me because I’ve been here for four-years,” Alexander said. “It’s kind of surreal. I’ve watched the girls go and I cheered for them but this is exciting to be here now.”

Capannola said he is confident his team will do well in the tournament, starting with Middlesex. He said his team’s defense has been solid and should do well against Middlesex.

“I like our chances Saturday,” Capannola said. “They have a dominant kid but we have five kids that can hit threes.”