Even high-school schedules can have quirks. Consider the Mullen Mustangs. By defeating visiting Fairview 76-59 on Friday night, they played their fourth of seven consecutive Centennial League games at home.
“It’s weird,” Mustangs coach Porter Cutrell said.
Competing in one of the few big-school leagues that still incorporate home-and-away play, Mullen kept its No. 1 ranking in The Denver Post/9News Class 5A poll. The Mustangs are 14-1 after winning their 12th consecutive game. They have not lost in Colorado and are undefeated in five league games.
Senior forward Jon Ward was key for Mullen. He scored 11 points, defended, rebounded and got up and down the floor, doing just about everything.
“That’s my role,” Ward said. “To help in any way I can.”
Eight Mustangs had at least five points, led by senior center Ray Hall’s 19. Hall made all seven field-goal attempts, was 5-for-5 at the line, clogged the line and blocked a couple of shots before going down hard on the baseline on a foul. He twisted an ankle and Cutrell didn’t know his status, although he was hopeful Hall would be ready after seeing him put weight on it.
The Mustangs, who don’t play again until Wednesday against Smoky Hill, also had Devin Aguilar (12 points) dart all over the floor.
Fairview, which led only briefly early, repeatedly contested the Mustangs through defense, ball movement and perimeter shooting. The Knights, who dipped to 10-4, 2-3 in the league, sent Mullen to the free-throw line 37 times and, despite climbing within eight points multiple times, never quite got over the hump.
“They’re big,” Fairview coach Frank Lee said of the Mustangs. “And then when we had our chances, something bad would happen.”
The Knights also experienced rashes of turnovers, and Nick Anastas, one of 5A’s better guards and shooters, had only one basket in the second half.
Even with Cutrell substituting liberally, as has been the case for the Mustangs in recent years, Mullen had numerous chances to pull away for good.
Hall, who had three three-point plays after halftime, twice gave Mullen double-figure leads – the largest, 45-31 in the third quarter when the game was in the balance – before late free throws and hurried shots by the Knights sealed it.
Fairview 11 14 19 15 – 59
Mullen 18 16 18 24 – 76
Fairview – Melillo 1 2-2 4, Fenton 0 0-2 0, Stone 5 2-2 12, Anastas 5 8-10 19, Towler 2 2-4 6, Citarella 3 0-0 8, Quillin 1 3-4 5, Taydus 2 0-0 4, Moore 0 1-2 1, Flynt 0 0-0,0. Totals 19 18-26 59.
Mullen – Hall 7 5-5 19, Aguilar 3 6-8 12, Ward 5 1-2 11, Hanzlik 1 5-6 8, Shaw 2 2-2 7, Theret 1 2-3 5, Allen 1 5-6 8, Stathopulos 1 4-5 6, Elges 0 0-0 0, Brugman 0 0-0 0, Russell 0 0-0 0, Safiedienne 0 0-0 0, Gruber 0 0-0 0. Totals 21 30-37 76.
3-pt.goals – Citarella 2, Anastas; Allen, Hanzlik, Shaw, Theret. Total fouls – Fairview 26, Mullen 20. Fouled out – Towler; Shaw. Technicals – None.
