MEN’S BASKETBALL

Freshman forward Michael Morrison finally made his collegiate debut late in the first half and scored his first field goal on a powerful slam dunk at the buzzer. Morrison and the reserve players helped spark an entertaining second half as the George Mason University Patriots pounded the Brown University Bears 89-52 in their first ever game against an Ivy League opponent, scoring 50 points in the last 20 minutes.

After a 10-19 showing in the 1999-00 season, the George Mason University women’s basketball team completed a major turnaround in the next season as they matched a career-high 21 wins and qualified for the Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT). Head Coach Debbie Taneyhill was named Colonial Athletic Association Coach of the Year. The Patriots were able to sustain three more winning seasons, including another WNIT appearance in 2004 after going 18-11. From there, it has been a gradual decline with two consecutive 21-loss seasons in progress.

The New “Porter”
Brian T. Chan
Assistant Sports Editor

Webster’s Dictionary defines porter as a person who carries burdens. The first-year “porter” in Fairfax will have loads to carry for a team that has only five conference wins in the last two seasons.

In its 35 years of history in women’s basketball, George Mason University is undergoing only their third coaching change since the 1984 season. Mason hired Jeri Porter, the seventh overall head coach in school history, this past April after the predecessor Debbie Taneyhill announced her resignation.

For 40 minutes, basketball players put all of their effort in helping the team score points and preventing opponents from putting the ball into the basket. What goes unnoticed is the amount of work George Mason University spirit teams go through to keep the crowd entertained.

Regardless of the situation of the games, the mood stays the same for the Masonettes, a group of 16 dancers, when they perform in front of approximately 9,000 fans during halftime, which has been a rallying point for the fans and the home team.

There was minimal improvement from 2007-2008 with an increase of one win. Entering the 2008-09 season, the George Mason University Patriots have seven returning players. Among them, three freshmen from last year’s team will be expected to step up and fill the holes in the starting lineup. Experience from last season is a key benefit for this season as these three players were given ample playing time. Year two is just around the corner for Eugenia Broadus, Brittany Eley, and Brittany Poindexter.

Broadus Broadens Her Horizon

The Cameron Crazies and Izzone make up two of the top inhospitable environments in college basketball. From creative signs to yelling expletives at opposing players, the student section continues to play a significant role in college basketball games. Unlike the major conference schools such as Duke or Maryland, George Mason University fans tend to be more balanced in being rowdy and family friendly when it comes to game day. Yet, the Patriot Platoon make it rather difficult on opponents, especially when poor shooting and turnover-after-turnover do not help the cause.

Full House Est. 1985