It was as much his celebration as anyone else’s.
George Mason sophomore guard John Vaughan basked in the glory with his teammates and a sellout crowd as the Patriots’ 2006 Final Four banner was raised at Patriot Center on Saturday even though he missed all of last season with a serious knee injury.
That absence has served as his inspiration in the Patriots’ first two games, but Vaughan doesn’t want it to set him apart as George Mason (1-1) tries for an encore in 2007.
“I think I do want it a little bit more, but I’m not here to say that I’ve got more of a motive because we’re not satisfied with just the Final Four,” said Vaughan, who’s currently tied with junior forward Will Thomas for the team’s scoring lead at 19.5 points per game. “We want to win a national championship.”
Vaughan demonstrated his urgency with a career-high 21 points in the 72-66 loss to Wichita State at Patriot Center on Saturday. With Thomas and junior guard/forward Folarin Campbell (15 ppg) as returning starters, Vaughan’s the only other Patriot to score in double-figures in both of Mason’s first two games.
“We have five guys with the experience you need to be successful,” said Patriots coach Jim Larranaga, who listed Vaughan along with Thomas, Campbell, junior guard Jordan Carter and senior Gabe Norwood. “But everybody else is still in the learning stage of their careers.”
The Patriots also are still searching for the identity and consistency that propelled them on their postseason run.
“Everyone I had on the floor at the end of the game played for us last year, and there were guys on the floor for [George Mason] who didn’t play last year,” said Shockers coach Mark Turgeon, who twice praised Vaughan. “It’s a big deal in November.”
Larranaga said Vaughan, who scored 17 of his points on 7-of-11 shooting in the second half against the Shockers, had a typical, high-energy game. He made shots from beyond the 3-point line and was strong on the break, showing flashes of the explosive offensive style he was known for at Laurel High. But for now the offense’s focus remains on Thomas and Campbell (15 ppg).
“I have no problem with my role,” said Vaughan. “Our go-to players are Folarin and Will, and I’m kind of like the outlet, and I have no problem with that. I’m all about the W’s.”
