Mayo the perfect ingredient to get Mustangs off and running

By Jason Guarente — MikeDragoSports.com senior correspondent

The most revealing moment from Shakyla Mayo’s night didn’t involve any of her points or rebounds. It was a missed free throw.

Gov. Mifflin’s 5-7 junior angrily walked in a circle in front of the foul line with her hands on her hips. Then she clapped them together in frustration. A missed free throw, in her mind, was unacceptable.

“I feel like when you go to the line they’re easy points,” Mayo said. “You should be able to make it. You should knock it down.”

It was one of the few blemishes on Mayo’s all-around solid performance. She delivered 11 points and 12 rebounds and helped Mifflin defeat Wilson 54-46 in Berks I girls basketball at West Lawn Thursday.

To say Mayo is competitive doesn’t cover it. She’s a notch above competitive.

No one knows that better than big sister Shyanna, another member of Mifflin’s starting five. The girls have taken part in their share of head-to-head battles through the years. They’ve even played tackle football against each other.

“I’ve always seen it,” Shyanna said. “Ever since we were younger. It’s anything. Games on our phone. We’ll download the same game and we’ll see who can beat each other’s high score. We’re always competitive.”

Every once in a while in practice coach Mike Clark tries to get Shakyla to tone it down. The coach wants his standout player to lessen the burden she puts on her shoulders.

“If you get mad at yourself you take yourself out of the game,” Clark says.

“Coach,” Mayo answers, “that’s just the way I am.”

It works for Mayo, who spent her freshman season at Muhlenberg before transferring to Mifflin and instantly becoming a starter.

There isn’t a player in the league who’s asked to contribute in a wider variety of ways. Mayo is a point guard, shooting guard and an inside player rolled into one. The junior had six rebounds and drilled a 3-pointer in the first quarter alone. She’s averaging 15.3 points through four games.

Miffln (1-0, 2-1) opened with a 20-5 run and never allowed the lead to slip under six points. The Mayo sisters played a big role in fending off Wilson.

When Wilson cut it to 31-24 in the third quarter, Shyanna drilled her fourth 3-pointer to re-establish control. The senior matched her career high for 3’s in a game and scored a team-high 12 points.

Wilson scored eight points in 32 seconds to pull within 48-42 with 1:18 left. Elisa Fiore and Shakyla Mayo teamed up to break the press. Mayo dribbled into the lane and dished to Taylor Koenig for what amounted to a clinching layup.

How many players provide 12 rebounds and a crucial fastbreak assist in the same 32 minutes? Mayo is a perfect fit at Mifflin, which likes to play five guards and fire away from beyond the arc. Versatility is a must.

“I can be a guard one minute, then I can be a big,” Mayo said. “I can basically do whatever I want. Every girl falls with it. We communicate on the court and we look fantastic out there.”

Wilson (0-1, 1-2) wanted to show it was ready to crack the Berks League’s big two: Mifflin and Berks Catholic. The Bulldogs, who start four experienced seniors, aren’t there yet. They never overcame their sluggish first quarter.

Amiyah Nguyen made three 3-pointers and led Wilson with 16 points. It was the second-highest total of her career.

Mifflin awaits a showdown with Berks Catholic at Shillington Tuesday. The Mustangs swept the series last year but the Saints won the county championship.

Mayo will be ready. That’s a given.

“She wants it, man,” Clark said. “You can see it when we get off the bus.”