Joy of Dameon - Mason Transfers to West Aurora

With a raw, but talented game, Dameon hopes to
contribute to West Aurora's deep tradition.

By Frank Rusnak
Some would say it was destiny that made it happen, but in actuality, it was all made possible by the 'Joy of Cola.'

Dameon Mason is originally from Kansas City, Missouri, but when his dad, who works for Pepsi Cola, was transferred to a higher position at Pepsi's Chicago Area office, the Mason family packed their things and headed North.

"Before I leave high school I'm going to win a state championship."

Dameon Mason
West Aurora

Knowing that the family was moving to Aurora, Dameon immediately went onto the Internet to check out the basketball prowess of all the Aurora schools.

"I always get on the Internet and I would look at the top 25 teams in the country," said Mason. "I would always see West Aurora ranked whenever I looked."

With his parents making a trip to West Aurora to scope it out prior to sending their kid to the school, they walked away very displeased.

With several happenings, tipped off by a pour tour and conversation with one of the West Aurora counselors, the Mason's were turned off by the school.

Opting to send would-be sophomore Dameon to neighboring Waubonsie Valley, everyone was happy with the decision at the time.

After a sub-par year with the Warriors, that saw Dameon suffer through a year of lumps with the Warriors, Dameon felt his play was stagnated by the Waubonsie Valley style of play.

With the family by no means set in stone with their housing situation, as they were staying in an apartment for their first year in Aurora, they saw bigger and better things for Dameon athletically, as well as academically, back at their initial school of West Aurora.

In talking with West Aurora's starting point guard and newfound friend, Jay Thomas, Dameon began to feel that he passed up the school that would be the best suitor for him.

With the Mason family shaking off their prior visit to West Aurora, they decided to give the school another shot.

"I think that [West Aurora] will fit me better academically and athletically," said Mason, who is receiving interest from Michigan State, Marquette, Iowa State, Missouri, Eastern Illinois, Northern Illinois and Texas. "I think that we are going to be very successful for my next two years there. We are going to be a fast-paced team and that is pretty much my style. I'm just going to go in there and play my game."

What Dameon is referring to, is a game that consists of a 40-inch vertical leap, great basketball awareness and a highlight-reel waiting to happen on the fast-break.

At Waubonsie, Dameon was a starter, but often times was not able to show his complete game in what was frequently a half-court offense. Able to run the court like a gazelle, a run-and-gun system is where Dameon will flourish.

"He has a lot of talent and is very athletic," said Dameon's AAU coach on Illinois Select, Sonny Parker. "He's a free spirit, always smiling, great sense of humor and seems to get along with everyone. You hear a lot of people that like the game, but he loves it and really enjoys it so much. The best is yet to come."

Indeed, a future is bright for the recently turned 16 year old, who apparently had dreams of moving on from Waubonsie Valley before the year had even ended. In watching West Aurora last year and mentally putting himself in their lineup, he saw the perfect mirror image of what he could be for the Blackhawks in 6'4" All-stater, Jamaal Thompson.

"Jamaal was the tallest player on the team last year and he played the 3, 4 and 5," said the 6'5" Mason. "I'm going to be the tallest person on the team this year. [Me playing for West Aurora] was something that I had in the back of my mind even before the season ended.

Now, with his sights set high and a positive outlook on the future, maybe Dameon can find the 'Joy of West Aurora.'