Playing for their fourth coach in four years has been an educational experience for Mullen’s seniors, but their biggest adjustment in the learning curve came in the past two seasons.
The Mustangs have spanned the spectrum, from playing the slowdown Princeton offense in 2004-05 to the up-tempo brand of basketball installed by new coach Frank Cawley.
And although Mullen went 19-8 and reached the Class 4A quarterfinals before losing to eventual state champion Sterling under former coach Sue Darling, they’re loving every minute under Cawley’s system.
After an overtime loss Tuesday against Rocky Mountain, a semifinalist in last season’s Class 5A state tournament, Mullen (2-1) – ranked No. 4 in the 4A preseason poll – bounced back Wednesday night with a convincing 66-57 home victory against Heritage, ranked No. 8 in 5A.
“We’ve done a complete 180 from last year,” said Kathleen Majewski, one of six Mullen seniors. “We were in the Princeton offense last year, and it was hard because we’re so athletic. We’re really enjoying (the new style of offense). We’re 12 deep, and every single one of us is athletic. We have faith we can run up and down the court.”
It didn’t take Cawley, an assistant coach on the Mullen boys team the past five seasons, long to realize a change in style was in order.
“I only went to a couple of games last year,” he said. “My motive coming in was not necessarily to change anything, but I thought we had to play to their athleticism. We weren’t going to (use the Princeton offense); we’re better as a transition team.”
Majewski, who averaged 4.4 points last season, is reaping the benefits. She scored a career- high 21 points Wednesday, including two key 3-point baskets after Heritage (3-2) – playing for the first time this season in Colorado after four games in Texas – took its only lead of the game, 38-37, about five minutes into the second half.
Majewski and junior Jenna Erdle scored 17 of Mullen’s final 29 points, Erdle getting the lead back for good with one of her three 3-pointers en route to a 15-point game. Majewski, who also had three 3-pointers, flew in for a rebound-follow basket after Heritage had pulled within 55-52 on a three-point play by Caitlin Jackson with 3:26 remaining. She answered two Jackson free throws by sinking 3-of-4 from the line for a 60-54 lead with 1:40 left.
Hoping to capitalize on Heritage’s aggressive defense, Cawley ordered the Mustangs into a “five-out motion offense” for the final six minutes. The result was three inside baskets and 16 trips to the free-throw line, with 10 conversions.
Heritage had success going inside late in the first half. The Eagles made just one field goal in the second quarter, but cut a 12-point deficit in half by making 6-of-11 free throws.
“This was a very good test for us to prove how athletic we are, because they are a very athletic team,” Majewski said.
Heritage 13 12 16 16 – 57
Mullen 18 13 17 18 – 66
Heritage – Jackson 3 7-7 15, Brennan 3 0-0 9, Dylla 2 3-4 7, Swanson 1 3-3 5, Gourdin 4 2-5 10, Haugen 0 2-4 2, Semin 2 1-1 5, Pfannenstein 1 2-2 4. Totals 16 20-20 57.
Mullen – Wilhelm 1 0-0 2, Erdle 6 0-2 15, Hurley 4 7-7 15, Wagner 1 3-6 5, Majewski 6 6-8 21, Webb 3 0-0 6, Kormondy 1 0-1 2, Halliburton 0 0-2 0, Palmere 0 0-0 0. Totals 22 16-26 66.
3-pt. goals – Brennan 3, Jackson 2; Erdle 3, Majewski 3. Total fouls – Heritage 22, Mullen 24. Fouled out – Gourdin, Wilhelm. Technicals – None.
