After reaching the States tournament for the first time in two years, the girls Varsity basketball team’s run ended at their game this Friday against Booker T. Washington, falling 45-48 in overtime.

The team went down fighting – at the end of regulation, the score was tied 41-41 after coming back from a three-point deficit a minute earlier. It was back-and-forth the whole game, but the visiting team eventually edged the Mustangs out.

Freshman forward Elizabeth Creed shined bright in her first States game, scoring Mason’s highest point total with 11. Sophomores Zoraida Icabalceta and Bella Paradiso both trailed close behind with eight points. 

Despite the tough loss, the team is happy with their run this season. 

“We exceeded our own expectations [and] everyone else’s expectations by that point. So it was sad, but we didn’t even think we would even make it to any round of Regionals,” said co-captain and senior forward/center Emma Rollins. 

“We worked our butts off, and I think that showed… We came up a little bit short [in] that game,” said co-captain and senior guard Julia Rosenberger. 

After winning the Regional final the week prior, the team was awarded the home court for this game, playing at George C. Marshall High School. Being just down the road from Mason, students, parents, and community members showed out in masses. With every shot, the crowd roared and stayed hype until the end. 

“It was really emotional but I think we had a really good run and I think the lessons I learned, especially this year with that team particularly, were life-changing,” said Rosenberger.