WEST CHESTER TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Samari Mowbray was not going to let her team lose Sunday afternoon.
The Mason senior scored 12 of her game-high 21 points in the fourth quarter as the Comets defeated Forest Trail Academy (N.C.) 55-44 in the first Journey to the Tourney girls’ basketball event at Lakota West.
Mowbray, a 6-foot-1 senior, made a 3-pointer at the top of the key and clenched her fist in quick celebration to give the Comets (2-0) the lead for good at 50-41 with 2:48 left. That provided enough offense down the stretch for the Comets, who led 31-21 at halftime but struggled in the third quarter and scored just four points.
Forest Trail (3-2), an elite program out of North Carolina, defeated Huber Heights Wayne on Saturday. Wayne was ranked No. 1 in the MaxPreps JJHuddle Ohio Girls’ Basketball Report Division I rankings.
“I just felt like I didn’t want to lose that game and somebody had to step up,” said Mowbray, who verbally committed to Miami University last week and will sign in April.
“I know as a senior my teammates feed off my energy so I knew I needed to pick it up.”
Mason coach Rob Matula has noticed a significant difference in Mowbray this season. As Mowbray walked off the floor Sunday, the veteran coach told her he’d like to see that type of significant effort each night.
“That’s what you expect out of a senior,” Matula said.
In previous years, Mowbray looked to pass first. That wasn’t necessarily a bad thing considering the personnel. But, with the likes of Lauren Van Kleunen (Marquette) and Jailyn Mason (Arkansas) graduated from last season’s Division I state runner-up squad, the Comets (2-0) will rely a lot on Mowbray.
She played with her back to the basket when she was younger because of her height. Later, she was a spot-up shooter.
But, Matula said Mowbray will be a stretch four with the RedHawks. Mowbray is adept at taking defenders off the dribble and she’s improved defensively – key ingredients for a Mason team considered a top five team in the state on opening weekend.
“Her game has improved,” Matula said. “She is a well-rounded basketball player.”
Mason was also led by sophomore guard Sammie Puisis, who had 19 points, six rebounds and three steals. She was 4 of 6 from 3-pointers.
Freshman point guard Megan Wagner had seven points and five assists. Senior forward Anna Brinkmann had five points and a team-high seven rebounds.
Mason plays at Colerain Tuesday night. The Comets return to Lakota West Dec. 3 in a rematch of last year’s regional final. Lakota West defeated Columbus North (Ind.) 58-43 Saturday night.
Junior guard Sarah Jones had 17 points, five rebounds and four steals. Junior guard/forward Abby Prohaska had 12 points and 12 rebounds.
This was the first Journey to the Tourney event at Lakota West. Approximately 50 college coaches were in attendance from around the country on this opening weekend of Ohio high school girls’ basketball.
Mason – Wagner 2 1 7, Mowbray 6 5 21, Puisis 5 5 19, Brinkmann 2 1 5, Fulton 1 1 3. Totals: 16 13 55. 3-pointers: 10 (Mowbray 4, Puisis 4, Wagner 2).
Forest Trail Academy – Gill-Miles 5 3 13, Deans 1 2 5, Spann 1 0 2, Izundu 1 0 2, Matiias 1 0 2, Church 4 0 12, Simpson 2 0 5, Quick 1 0 3. Totals: 16 5 44. 3-pointers: 7 (Church 4, Quick, Simpson, Deans).
Mount Notre Dame 57, Toledo Notre Dame 39 – Sophomore Julia Hoefling had 15 points and 11 rebounds as Mount Notre Dame (2-0) shot nearly 49 percent from the field Sunday afternoon. Junior guard Abby Voss and sophomore Gabbie Marshall each added nine points for the Cougars who next play at Beavercreek Saturday afternoon. MND is ranked No. 8 in the state while Toledo Notre Dame is No. 9.
Toledo Notre Dame – Copeland 2 5 10, Kizer 2 0 4, Barron 0 1 1, Fankhauser 3 0 8, Hampton-Bey 4 1 10, Johnson 1 3 6. Totals: 12 10 39. 3-pointers: 5 (Fankhauser 2, Copeland, Johnson, Hampton-Bey).
MND – Cook 3 2 8, Marcum 3 1 7, Voss 4 0 9, Marshall 3 2 9, Kempe 2 0 4, Pisciotta 1 3 5, Hoefling 5 5 15. Totals: 21 5 57. 3-pointers: 3 (Marcum, Voss, Marshall).
Hathaway Brown 44, Glen Este 31 – Sophomore Jasmine Hale had a team-high eight points to go along with five rebounds for Glen Este (0-1) in the first game Sunday morning at Lakota West. Senior Rachel Nelson added six rebounds for Glen Este, which plays host to St. Ursula Monday night. Hathaway Brown is ranked No. 2 in Division II in the MaxPreps JJHuddle OGBR state rankings.
Glen Este – Simon 2 2 7, Click 1 0 3, Burdick 2 2 7, Reeves 2 0 6, Hale 3 1 8. Totals: 10 5 31. 3-pointers: 6 (Reeves, Simon, Click, Hales).
Hathaway Brown – Harlor 4 0 10, Berk 1 4 6, D. Lawson 4 6 14, K. Lawson 2 1 5, Carman 4 1 9. Totals: 15 12 44. 3-pointers: h 2 (Harlor 2).
