Season ends in familiar fashion

By Neil H. Devlin, Mullen Sports Information Director
Mullen falls to Grandview, ends 4-19 overall, 1-13 league.
 
AURORA – It’s over.

A difficult season for Mullen ended on Friday night with a 62-43 road loss at Grandview in the Centennial League.

The Mustangs’ season book will contain a 4-19 overall record, 1-13 in league. A roster that was missing its top seven players from 2018-19 (a Sweet 16 team), including two high-end junior transfers out of state, couldn’t compete in the state’s top league as well as against some of Class 5A’s better nonleague foes.

There will be no playoffs for the first time in three seasons as Mullen finished 51st in the Class 5A chase (48 teams will be in the bracket to be released on Sunday).

Head coach Bob Caton attempted to stay positive until the very end.

“I hope we learned,” he said. “I hope we got a little better. We have 23 games of varsity experience, so we can’t say we don’t have experience.

”For next year, we’ll try to build on it and get better.”

The Mustangs also experienced a couple of oddities in their finale – their 43 points came on 18 baskets, including seven 3-pointers. They had no free-throw attempts. Plus, Grandview only shot four free throws and made all of them.

The game also fit the pattern of the season as Mullen was in it for a while before suffering a poor stretch that led to a blowout.

Grandview (17-6, 11-3) also shot it very well, canning a dozen 3-pointers, and is expected to make a deep playoff run.

“We couldn’t get a shot to fall and (the Wolves) nailed shot after shot … but we have to get better on defense,” Caton said.

Diallo Thompson led Mullen with 15 points and junior Brayden Carter had 14 points and 11 rebounds. Just four Mustangs scored.

For 2020-21, Mullen will lose only two seniors.

“We have to build and get better, get in the gym and get better,” Caton said.
 
GRANDVIEW 62, MULLEN 43

Mullen 12 10 14 7 -- 43

Grandview 19 15 16 12 -- 62

Mullen – Thompson 6 0-0 15, Lopez 2 0-0 6, Heffern 0 0-0 0, Dominguez 3 0-0 8, Carter 7 0-0 14, Berg 0 0-0 0, McNally 0 0-0 0, Smith 0 0-0 0, DePizzol 0 0-0 0. Totals 18 0-0 43.

Grandview – Hollins 0 0-0 0, Holtman 7 2-2 20, Thomas 1 0-0 2, Ramiro 5 0-0 15, McGill 6 0-0 13, Haug 0 0-0 0, Burr 0 0-0 0, Coles 2 0-0 4, Handy 1 0-0 3, Rullo 1 0-0 3, Wa-Kalonji 0 2-2 2. Totals 23 4-4 62.

3-pt. goals – Thompson 3, Dominguez 2, Lopez 2; Ramiro 5, Holtman 4, Handy, McGill, Rullo.
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