Headed to Prep School, Mast Looking to Gather More Options
Ron Bailey, Publisher
August 29, 2006 – After having helped lead Suitland High School (20-5) to a Maryland 4A South Regional Final, and personally earning a spot in the 33rd Annual Capital Classic’s preliminary game, 6’7”, 205lb forward Chris Mast is headed to prep school. The move is born of ambition and necessity.
“I’m going to Edison Prep Academy in New Jersey this Thursday” said Mast during a recent phone interview. “It’s going to give me more exposure for Division I (schools) next year”.
Chris Mast is shown here, during the 33rd Annual Capital Classic's prelim game. He played well in the event, scoring a double-double (points-rebounds).
It’s not that he didn’t get attention from NCAA Division I colleges his senior year, as Morgan State, Wagner, and IUP all offered scholarships, while additional interest was received by “Marymount and a whole lot of D-IIs and D-IIIs”. Though he can play immediately at the Division II and Division III levels, his SAT score precludes Division I participation. As such, he will focus on improving that at Edison.
Chris shared “I averaged 17.8 (points or something like that), and about 10 rebounds and around 5 assists a game” for the Suitland Rams last year, his third straight at the school. The young guy started at power forward, and occasionally played center last season. No matter the position played, he provided rebounding and stout defense along with scoring around the tin.
Lamar Butler, Sr., an assistant coach last year at Suitland with 30 years of overall coaching experience had no compunction stating Mast’s importance to the team last season. “He was the heart and soul of the team” said Butler. “When he played well, we won. When he didn’t, we lost. I don’t think he got the scholarships or publicity he deserved”.
Butler later added, “He’s one of the hardest working kids I’ve ever coached”. Apparently, when the coaching staff “called for a workout at 7:00 am, he was there at 6:00 am”. What’s more impressive is that “Chris walked lived like three miles from the school” and would walk to those sessions.
Chris plans on bringing that tenacity and work ethic to prep school and eventually college, where computer networking our real estate may be future academic focuses.
Chris Mast and his father, Warren Bagby, are pictured here at Suiltand's Senior Day. Both farther and son were staples in the program, as Mast did major work in the post, while Bagby worked concessions at home games.
In Chris’ opinion, Suitland has prepared him for those future challenges. “It was good, hard work and all that” said Mast of his high school experience being a Ram. “I got to play in the toughest conference or whatever. It was a good experience”.
We at i95Ballerz.com would like to wish Chris Mast good luck in his future endeavors. He could have made excuses for not pressing on, but didn’t. The young man even graduated with a 3.2 GPA. There’s not doubt his mentality and tenacity will ensure success in whatever he chooses to do.
Mast, similar to here at the Capital Classic, earned many
trips to the charity stripe via his spirited inside play.
*A special thanks to David Orr, assistant boy's basketball coach at Suitland, and the fine job he does not only on the bench, but webmastering www.suitlandrams.org.
He has graciously supplied information and guidance, in the past.
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