William "Teence" Ryan was Royals' first coach

William "Teence" Ryan was the first head coach of the Mason County Royals. Ryan came to Mason County after serving as the coach at New Richmond, Ohio for one season. He had also coached at St. Patrick, Salt Lick, Tollesboro, Minerva and Mt. Orab, Ohio. In three seasons at Mason County, Ryan had a 68-12 record. His .85 winning percentage is still the school record. All three of Ryan's Mason County teams won at least 20 games. The 1960-61 and 1961-62 teams were district champions. Ryan was named the principal of May's Lick School in 1966. (Photo from a Mason County yearbook)

On this date in Mason County Royals basketball history

1960: The Royals pick up their first road win- a 79-58 victory over Tollesboro;
1993: Mason County beats Ashland 103-72, five Royals score in double figures.

Royals basketball tipped off on Nov. 8, 1960

The Mason County Royals played their first basketball game on Nov. 8, 1960. The Royals edged Owingsville 44-43 in the Washington Gymnasium. Larry Jones was Mason County's leading scorer with 14 points. Arlie Mitchell was also in double figures with 12 points. That was also the night of the presidential election between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon.

1966-67 roster

34 Fred Hester 6-2 170 Sr.

30 Fred Overly 5-8 130 Jr.

44 Jack West 6-2 168 Sr.

22 Tom Corde 5-11 1/2 165 So.

40 Earl Black 6-1 165 So.

12 Steve Poynter 5-10 150 Jr.

10 Gary Rosser 6-1 155 Jr.

14 Donnie Jackson 5-8 1/2 168

54 Wayne Burns 5-8 150 Fr.

42 Jory Germann 5-7 148 Jr.

43 Ronnie Lyons 5-6 120 Fr.

24 Larry Poe 5-8 1/2 150 So.

32 Mike Gardner 6-1 176 So.

Head Coach: Jim Mitchell
Assistant Coach: Gary Jefferson