Bishop Brossart’s boys basketball season was certainly a turnaround year.
True, Mason County ended the Mustangs’ run, 67-59, in Monday’s 10th Region quarterfinals at Montgomery County, and yes, Brossart finished at 15-16.
Take another look, and you’ll see at least two reasons to smile. Brossart rebounded from last year’s 3-26 nightmare, and the Mustangs won the 10th Region All “A” tournament for the second time in three years.
Parker Mulberry, one of three seniors (Dom Hadden and Alex Combs are the other two) who completed their high school careers, led the Mustangs with 17 points.
“I think we had an astounding year, and I’m proud of it,” Mulberry said.
Brossart coach Ben Franzen, meanwhile, didn’t limit himself to one word.
“A season’s a roller coaster, no matter what team it is, and I felt like these guys showed some resiliency at times,” Franzen said. “The turnaround that we did, three wins to 15 wins, making the All “A”, making the regional tournament, those were two goals that we had at this time last year.”
What almost went unnoticed Monday was Brossart’s bench scoring – Carson Hesse finished with 13 points and a team-high six rebounds, and Drew Steffen added another four points. Steffen’s four free throws put the Mustangs up, 20-19, midway through the second quarter.
“I think our teamwork kept us close,” Hesse said. “We stayed together, worked hard, fought for every rebound and loose ball.”
RELATED: Bishop Brossart’s girls fall in 10th Region final to GRC
What Brossart did not do was contain the Royals’ Braeden Myrick and Garryon McClain – they scored 24 and 21 points respectively, and Myrick was 6-of-7 from 3.
Nor did the Mustangs contain Mason County’s Cole Horch in the second half – he scored just four points in the first 16 minutes but finished with 16 on 7-for-7 shooting.
Monday’s first half had seven lead changes and four ties. Brossart’s run was first – a 5-0 streak over a little more than a minute on Beckett Kuntz’s bucket and Mulberry’s 3.
Hesse’s eight points – a three, an and-1 (a play in which the Royals’ Nazir Metts went for a shot fake) and a layup on Steffen’s bobble tied the score at 14-14 late in the first quarter.
The next streak was Mason County’s – Myrick’s three, Horch’s free throw, Myrick’s four-point play and McClain’s three led the Royals to a 30-25 halftime lead.
Horch was angry about his first-half contribution – he only took one shot and was 2-for-4 in free throws.
“I knew I had to attack the rim better and get offensive rebounds, and make my free throws, too,” Hrch said. “I’ve been struggling this year on free throws, but I’ve been practicing here recently.”
After a Mulberry three pulled the Mustangs to within 45-42 two minutes into the fourth quarter, the Royals pulled away for good after a 15-7 run.
“We just knew we had to stay consistent, get a few stops,” McClain said. “(Brossart) started to sag off on defense, (letting) people shoot.”
Mason County (17-13) meets Montgomery County, an 87-25 running clock winner over Harrison County, in the semifinals at 6 p.m. March 17.
In Tuesday’s first-round games, Nicholas County takes on Augusta at 6 p.m., followed by Campbell County vs. George Rogers Clark at approximately 7:30 p.m.
ROYALS 67, MUSTANGS 59
BISHOP BROSSART — 16-9-11-23 – 59
MASON COUNTY — 17-13-11-26 – 67
Bishop Brossart (59) — Kuntz 11, Mulberry 17, Boruske 8, D. Hadden 4, D. Steffen 4, Hesse 13, Combs 2. 3-Pt. FG: 9 (Mulberry 5, Hesse 2, Kuntz, Boruske). FT: 10-14. Rebounds: 21 (Hesse 6, D. Hadden 4). Fouls: 16. Fouled out: None. Turnovers: 10.
Mason Co. (67) — Routt 4, McClain 21, Metts 2, Myrick 24, Horch 16. 3-Pt. FG: 9 (Myrick 6, McClain 3). FT: 14-20. Rebounds: 21 (Horch 7, Routt 4). Fouls: 15. Fouled out: None. Turnovers: 10.
Records: Bishop Brossart 15-16, Mason County 17-13.