4-F sweet music for Mustangs

By Neil H. Devlin, Mullen Sports Information Director
Girls ready to hit the Coliseum.
They won only eight games a year ago against a substantial schedule and didn’t make the Class 4A postseason.
They have started three sophomores and a freshman throughout 2018-19 and managed to more-than double their victory output.
And they entered this season’s bracket seeded just 14th despite only five in-state losses, all to 5A final four teams, and finished third in a 5A league. They also won at the No. 3 and 6 seeds
So Mullen’s Mustangs may be a surprise semifinalist in Thursday’s rounds at the Denver Coliseum (they will meet old Parochial League rival Holy Family at 4 p.m.), but not necessarily to everyone.
“I could see us doing this,” Mustangs head coach Frank Cawley said. “I didn’t expect it, but I’m not shocked.”
Cawley isn’t bragging. He’s simply stating fact. A year ago, he went younger with a bunch of freshmen. He incorporated more of them this season and it has worked. Again.
“We’re playing as good as we have all season, no question,” Cawley said. “We’re not playing as good as we can, which is exciting, but we’re playing well.”
Consider the Mustangs, now 18-8, a combination of players who have talent, improved height, skill and patience, along with a commitment to defense and acceptance of roles.
Of the sophomores, point guard Megan Pohs was good enough to make all-Centennial as a freshman and leads this season’s team in scoring (11.5 points), free-throw shooting (47-of-55, 85 percent) and 3-point baskets (48). Off guard Elaina Martinez has been contributing across the board and forward Haley Martinez, after being injured with back problems a year ago, has been a regular defender and rebounder.
As for the freshmen, Imani Perez has changed so much for Mullen, In addition to her 11.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks, the 6-foot-2 post has allowed the Mustangs to avoid zone defenses and play man-to-man. And Gracie Gallegos, a developing forward, has regulary guarded the opposition’s best player. She’s also coming on offensively, mixing outside shooting and getting to the basket, as well as rebounding.
Off the bench, senior Iliana Perez has proven vital, frequently dictating or changing the pace of the game at both ends. Sophomore Alexa Dominguez can play any of the positions. Another sophomore, Abby Webster, hit the big 3-pointer to decide the Pueblo West victory. And seemingly every other Mustang who takes the floor contributes in some manner.
“We’ve got bits and pieces we can plug in if we need to,” Cawley said.
As they have grown offensively, the Mustangs mostly have been about defense.
“Especially defensively,” Cawley said. “They’ve been really good doing it as a group.”
For Holy Family (21-5), the Tigers have won 14 consecutive games. Sophomore Genevieve Gudino tops them in scoring (15.0).
The Tigers have beaten the Mustangs in two of the past three meetings, most recently a 59-47 victory at home in Broomfield in December 2017.
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