Broad Run Captures Dulles District Crown

Ron Bailey, Publisher

February 20, 2007 – For the second year in a row, Broad Run (Ashburn, VA) has played their way into Virginia’s Region II postseason tournament, this time holding on for a 53-48 win over Park View (South Hill, VA). As such, the Spartans, coached by Larry Boomer, will play Millbrook (Winchester, VA) today.

Broad Run led from start to finish, building an 11 point lead first half lead, in part due to the play of senior Joseph Tabatabaian (12 points), who consistently made plays, including scoring, rebounding, and passing.

Boomer lauded Tabatabaian afterward. “He’s a role player (generally)” he said. “He stepped up and was a contributor”.

Tabatabaian indicated “It felt good” supplying his season high in such a big game, and also praised the team’s chemistry, enhanced by “playing together since seventh grade”.

Finding his squad down 10 in the second quarter, Park View junior Thomas Mulabah (21 points) went to work. The burly forward, in a two minute sequence hit a foul line jumper, two foul shots, a tip in, and snagged a nice rebound in traffic.

Nevertheless, the Patriots were still down 29-21 at the half, but did get to within one after another Mulabah layup, facilitated after senior guard Amechi Anyaugo’s (9 points) pass at the fourth quarter’s 4:50 mark.

Park View's Chris Haven (#30, 4 points), prepares to jump the ball against Broad Run's Adrian Mines (#40, 10 points). Mulabah (#54), McGlone (#35), Tabatabaian (#50) and Stuart Jackson (#24, 3 points) also prepare for battle.

Again, enter Tabatabaian. As he had all night, the emotional young man made a huge play, this time a three ball, causing a Park View time out.

After the break, it became senior Mark McGlone’s (13 points) time, as the Broad Run forward would repeatedly post defenders down low, resulting in a basket or trip to the foul line.

“Yes sir, my teammates always look for me in the end” said McGlone, when asked if the Spartan’s game plan was in fact to pound the ball into him”. “I always accept the challenge”.

His coach, Bonner, agreed, stating “He’s one of our horses. If you feed the monster, he’ll stay hungry”.

Park View’s Mulabah, a monster in his own right, one McGlone labeled a young guy with “a big wide body”, wasn’t through himself as his two and-one opportunities within the last three minutes and forty eight seconds indicate. Unfortantely for the Patriots, it wouldn’t be enough.

Tabatabaian would note after his team’s post game celebration, “They were sleeping on me, so I stepped up”. Bonner shared that every game, somebody on his team does just that.

Opponents, don’t sleep on the Spartans, who are 17-7.

Park View’s season is finished, creating a final record of 19-6.