January 18, 2025
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Princeton team, community rally around teammate Jackson Mason and family

Tiger junior hits a 3-pointer in honor of his dad

By Kevin Hieronymus
PHS junior Jackson Mason and his mom, Heather, share a special moment before Friday's game at Prouty Gym. His dad, Pat, passed away unexpectedly on Monday. Each team member presented Heather with a carnation and PHS took a moment of silence in Pat's honor.

PHS junior Jackson Mason and his mom, Heather, share a special moment before Friday's game at Prouty Gym. His dad, Pat, passed away unexpectedly on Monday. Each team member presented Heather with a carnation and PHS took a moment of silence in Pat's honor. (Mike Vaughn)

It’s been a season of sorrow for the Princeton Tigers basketball family.

The Tigers lost Dave Camp, brother to head coach Jason Smith, and Beau Harp, father of senior cheerleader Ella Harp in the first half of the season.

On Monday, the Tigers family lost another member with the death of Pat Mason, father of PHS junior player Jackson Mason, who passed away suddenly. He was 52.

The Masons, as the Camp/Smith and Harp families before them, found they won’t go through their sadness alone.

The Tigers rallied around their teammate’s family, each player walking up in the stands to present Jackson’s mother, Heather, a carnation during warmups.

PA announcer Eric Tinley gave a tribute to Pat Mason, who was a big Tiger fan, and a moment of silence was held to honor him.

It was only fitting that Jackson hit a 3-pointer in the fourth quarter for a special tribute to his dad.

“It meant a lot. I wanted to score, this being the first game without my dad being able to watch. And the whole team wanted me to score, too. I’m glad I made it,” he said.

Jackson said he didn’t know his teammates were going to give his mom carnations but “it was great to see. The whole high school and the community has been great, too.”

Friends of Pat Mason, who passed away suddenly on Monday, came out to support the Mason family at Friday's Princeton Tigers basketball game. Pictured are Emma (Mason) Steward, Heather Mason, Trent Goodale, Jason Allen, Ian Cardosi, Jackson Mason and Austen Steward.

Friends of Pat Mason, who passed away suddenly on Monday, came out to support the Mason family at Friday's Princeton Tigers basketball game. Pictured are Emma (Mason) Steward, Heather Mason, Trent Goodale, Jason Allen, Ian Cardosi, Jackson Mason and Austen Steward. (Photo provided)

Heather Mason said she was touched by the team’s nice gesture to her and supporting Jackson.

PHS senior Noah LaPorte and coach Smith said the Tigers wanted to be there for the Mason family.

“It felt very good to be able to support him. For him to get out there and play after something like that is something else,“ LaPorte said. ”For a kid to keep moving forward like Jackson you have to have all the respect for him. He’s one of the toughest kids I know and someone that all of us can look up to. And he hit that 3 knowing his dad is watching.”

“The kid’s been through a lot the last week. I can’t imagine it,” Smith said. “I can give him advice here and there but he’s a tough kid and got a good supporting family around him and they’re there for him. You couldn’t ask for a nicer kid than Jackson.”

Kevin Hieronymus has been the BCR Sports editor since 1986. Contact him at khieronymus@bcrnews.com

Trent Goodale (P), Jason Allen (A) and Ian Cardosi (T) came out to support PHS junior Jackson Mason, whose dad, Pat, passed away suddenly on Monday, at Friday's Tiger basketball game.

Trent Goodale (P), Jason Allen (A) and Ian Cardosi (T) came out to support PHS junior Jackson Mason, whose dad, Pat, passed away suddenly on Monday, at Friday's Tiger basketball game. (Photo provided)

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