A year ago, he was relegated to the junior varsity as Mullen suited 10 seniors among its varsity players.
Now, he has the chance to become a significant contributor.
Senior Hassan Safieddine was among three Mustangs in double figures Thursday night as the defending Class 5A state champions opened Centennial League play with a 72-51 decision of visiting Overland.
Mullen climbed to 4-3 overall; young, inexperienced Overland is winless in five tries in 2006-07.
Terrance Dent paced Mullen with a game-high 21 points and Safieddine tied Devin Aguilar with 16 points. Safieddine also contributed six blocks as Mullen built a bulge in the second quarter that lasted until the final whistle.
Admittedly bothered by not seeing any varsity action last season, Safieddine didn’t let it affect his attitude – he used lower-level play as a means of improvement.
“We had so many guys last year that I had to get all my experience on the JV level,” said Safieddine, a lean but strong 6-foot-7. “You always want to play on the varsity, but I got better and it’s showing.”
Despite the holiday break, there was little rust evident early – the teams combined for 45 points in the first quarter.
Mullen made its move in the second quarter. Aguilar, All-Colorado last season by The Denver Post, made consecutive 3-pointers, then Safieddine’s blocks and the Mustangs’ overall quickness and superior savvy took advantage of Overland’s defensive lapses to quickly run to a double-figure lead before coasting.
“We had some breakdowns in the second quarter and we gave up seven layups,” first-year Trailblazers coach Mike Gibbs said. “We didn’t recover.”
Overland, which had its deficit crest at 24 points down the stretch, remained game, but also had free-throw woes – the Trailblazers converted only 9-of-23 – and turnover problems.
“If we fix those issues, we’re OK,” Gibbs said of his team, which has only one senior.
Overland 21 9 9 12 – 51
Mullen 24 20 10 18 – 72
Overland – Connors 1 1-2 5, Akolade 0 0-0 0, Morganfield 2 3-3 7, Manago 1 0-0 2, Hollis 2 0-0 4, Clayton 3 1-4 7, Reynolds 3 1-2 7, Hollowell 1 0-1 2, Reed 4 0-0 8, Kennard 2 2-4 6, Arora 1 0-1 2, Marshall 0 1-2 1. Totals 21 9-23 51.
Mullen – Aguilar 6 1-2 16, Theret 2 0-4 4, Dent 8 3-4 21, McCullough 1 2-2 4, Safieddine 6 4-5 16, Arias 0 2-2 2, Smith 1 0-0 2, Belloni 2 0-1 4, Berry 0 0-0 0, Graziano 0 0-0 0, Stackhouse 1 0-0 2, McKenna 0 1-2 1. Totals 27 13-22 72.
3-point goals – Aguilar 3, Dent 2. Total fouls – Overland 18, Mullen 19. Fouled out – None. Technicals – None.
