On Friday night, senior Josiah Freeman scored 39 points to lead Manassas Park to a road victory over George Mason in the first round of the 3B Regional Tournament.
At halftime the Cougars led 21-19 with Freeman accounting for 10 of the visitors’ points. The game opened up in the second half, as Manassas Park was able to get in transition more. Once the game opened up, so did Freeman. The University at Buffalo commit started to clear defensive rebounds, begin the break himself, and attack the rim.
Freeman, a Paul VI transfer who was declared eligible to play for Manassas Park after transferring earlier this month, was 13-15 from the line. That proved crucial down the stretch, as the rest of the team went a horrific 4-23 from the charity stripe.
Seven other Panthers scored on the evening, with sophomore guard Payton Simmons (nine assists) playing important roles getting Manassas Park (11-12) in transition and distributing the ball. Manassas Park advances to the tourney quarterfinals to face Goochland.
George Mason’s season ended with the loss, but the Mustangs (12-11) didn’t go down easy. After falling behind 20 points in the fourth quarter, they clawed their way back to make a single-digit game late. Junior guard Bobby Asel led the way with 19 points, getting to the line even more times than Freeman. Fellow junior Deven Martino added 16.
–Chris Jollay
all stats are unofficial
| GEORGE MASON | FG | FT | TP | REB | AST | |
| FLETCHALL | 3-4 | 1-2 | 10 | 2 | 1 | |
| BROXSON | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Daniel MILLER | 4-6 | 0-0 | 9 | 9 | 2 | |
| MARTINO | 5-17 | 4-6 | 16 | 6 | 2 | |
| ASEL | 4-17 | 10-16 | 19 | 8 | 3 | |
| Duncan Miller | 0-4 | 2-2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Duross | 2-3 | 0-0 | 6 | 2 | 1 | |
| Yimaj | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Calabrese | 0-1 | 0-0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Ferrera | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Smith | 0-1 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Kryazhev | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| TOTALS | 18-53 | 17-26 | 62 | 30 | 10 | |
| Threes: Fletchall 3-3, Duross 2-2, Martino 2-7, Asel 1-8, Daniel Miller 1-2, Smith 0-1, Calabrese 0-1, Duncan Miller 0-2 | ||||||
| MANASSAS PARK | FG | FT | TP | REB | AST | |
| FREEMAN | 12-18 | 13-15 | 39 | 9 | 1 | |
| BAAH | 2-4 | 0-2 | 5 | 2 | 0 | |
| DIXON | 3-6 | 0-2 | 7 | 8 | 0 | |
| GARZA | 2-8 | 0-0 | 5 | 2 | 1 | |
| SIMMONS | 1-5 | 3-10 | 5 | 5 | 9 | |
| Griffith | 0-1 | 0-0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
| Mallisham | 4-6 | 0-3 | 8 | 4 | 0 | |
| Kidd | 0-2 | 0-4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | |
| Malik-Duarte | 0-1 | 1-2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Penton | 1-1 | 0-0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | |
| TOTALS | 25-52 | 17-38 | 72 | 36 | 14 | |
| Threes: Freeman 2-6, Dixon 1-1, Baah 1-3, Garza 1-5, Griffith 0-1, Kidd 0-1 | ||||||
VHSL and Manassas Park did scholastic sports a huge disservice in allowing this kid to play in this game. Plays a full season, 22 games, at PVI and then transfers to 3A Mannassas Park for playoff time? How is this right on any level? That coach should be ashamed at M Park. Those kids have been busting their butts all season and now just play puppets to this kid dominating the game by himself. Total shame!
You dont know the back story and you dont know how his teammates feel about it. They might be happy to feel like they have a chance at competing at a higher level! Leave the children alone. This issue isnt effecting you! You should be ashamed to comment.
Cchhg