2010 10th Region championship game highlights video by Terry Setty

On this date in Mason County Royals basketball history

1982: Brian Littleton hits a half-court shot to end the second quarter, but the Royals lose to Virgie 68-63 in the quarterfinal round of the state tournament and end the season with a 31-1 record.

On this date in Mason County Royals basketball history

1982: The Royals run their record to 31-0 with a 71-63 victory over Middlesboro in the first round of the state tournament;
1987: Deron Feldhaus scores 22 points and the Royals beat Doss 68-49 in the first round of the state tournament.

2010 state semifinalists

Record: 25-7
Ashland Invitational Tournament champions
39th District champions
10th Region champions
state semifinalists

(Photo from the 2010 state tournament program)

2009-10 roster

3 Ryne King 5-10 145 Sr.
5 Zaire Henry 5-8 140 So.
10 Jordan Gilbert 5-10 165 Jr.
20 Josh Harris 6-1 185 So.
23 Neal Pawsat 6-3 205 Jr.
24 Connor Osborne 5-9 160 So.
30 Cody Hamm 5-9 160 So.
31 Tyler Black 6-2 200 So.
32 Justin Lang 5-10 155 Sr.
34 Bradley Lang 6-2 175 Sr.
35 Treg Setty 6-8 175 Jr.
41 Josh Menefee 6-2 170 Jr.
42 Rheuben Bluford 6-5 185 Sr.

Head Coach: Chris O'Hearn
Assistant Coaches: Kelly Carwile, Seth Faulkner, Roscoe Fite

Coaching records

William Ryan 1961-1963 68-12 .850
Herb Childers 1964-1966 51-30 .630
Jim Mitchell 1967-1973 160-74 .684
Gary Jefferson 1974-1975 36-33 .522
Allen Feldhaus 1976-1991 325-136 .705
Fred Hester 1992-1996 127-32 .799
Steve Appelman 1997 18-10 .643
Kelly Wells 1998-2004 172-56 .754
Chris O'Hearn 2005-2015 260-85 .754
Buddy Biggs 2016-2018 57-41 .582
Brian Kirk 2018-2023 105-44 .705

(Updated May 1, 2023)

On this date in Mason County Royals basketball history

2003: The Royals post a 75-63 win over Hopkinsville in the semifinals of the state tournament;
2003: Chris Lofton hits nine three-pointers and scores 39 points to lead Mason County to an 86-65 win over Ballard in the state championship game;
2008: The Royals defeat Shelby County 60-50 in the semifinals of the state tournament;
2008: Darius Miller scores 24 points to lead Mason County to a 57-48 win over Holmes in the state championship game.

Season by season records

1960-61 24-4
1961-62 24-4
1962-63 20-4
1963-64 20-8
1964-65 16-10
1965-66 15-12
1966-67 23-8
1967-68 27-6
1968-69 26-9
1969-70 20-16
1970-71 26-10
1971-72 30-4
1972-73 8-21
1973-74 18-16
1974-75 18-17
1975-76 15-19
1976-77 7-11
1977-78 18-8
1978-79 23-7
1979-80 24-6
1980-81 28-5
1981-82 31-1
1982-83 22-7
1983-84 21-8
1984-85 26-4
1985-86 31-3
1986-87 31-3
1987-88 10-13
1988-89 15-14
1989-90 10-17
1990-91 13-10
1991-92 27-5
1992-93 31-3
1993-94 30-4
1994-95 21-9
1995-96 18-11
1996-97 18-10
1997-98 16-13
1998-99 18-11
1999-00 17-14
2000-01 25-7
2001-02 28-6
2002-03 35-2
2003-04 33-3
2004-05 22-9
2005-06 25-9
2006-07 28-3
2007-08 34-4
2008-09 24-7
2009-10 25-7
2010-11 19-13
2011-12 18-14
2012-13 17-10
2013-14 21-6
2014-15 27-3
2015-16 23-11
2016-17 17-16
2017-18 17-14
2018-19 15-16
2019-20 18-12

2020-21 19-4

2021-22 24-6

2022-23 29-6
Total 1379-553 71.4%

(Updated May 1, 2023)

On this date in Mason County Royals basketball history

1981: Mason County hits 31-of-33 free throws and routs Mayfield 79-54 in the semifinals of the state tournament;
1981: Mason County loses to Simon Kenton 70-63 in the state championship game.
2003: The Royals beat Oldham County 63-50 in the quarterfinal round of the state tournament; 2008: The Royals hit six three-pointers in the first quarter, lead by as many as 39 points in the third quarter in a 73-46 victory over Paducah Tilghman in the quarterfinal round of the state tournament.

State championship rings

On this date in Mason County Royals basketball history

1981: Mason County upsets Bryan Station 69-64 in the quarterfinals of the state tournament;
1985: Chris O’Hearn scores 26 points and Deron Feldhaus adds 20 points to lead the Royals to a 68-66 win over Lexington Catholic in the first round of the state tournament;
2004: The Royals pull out an 84-78 win over Scott County in the semifinals of the state tournament:
2004: Mason County's drive for back-to-back state titles ends with a 66-56 loss to Warren Central in the state championship game;
2008: The Royals rally from a seven-point fourth quarter deficit to beat Elliott County 66-62 in the first round of the state tournament;

Royals win second state title in 2008

Darius Miller scored 24 points to lead the Mason County Royals to a 57-48 win over the Covington Holmes Bulldogs in the championship game of the 2008 National City/KHSAA Boys' Sweet 16. It was Mason County's second state championship in six seasons.
After trailing 14-13 in the second quarter, Mason County took control with a 16-2 run. The Royals led by 15 points in the third quarter, but Holmes pulled to within six points in the fourth quarter. Mason County made 5-of-6 free throws in the final 51 seconds. Mason County outrebounded Holmes 37-23. Miller and Trevor Setty each had eight rebounds. Russ Middleton scored 13 points, including seven in the first quarter. Keith Downing scored a career-high 10 points.

MC (34-4) Middleton 13, Downing 10, Miller 24, Setty 6, King 2, Hamm 2
H (34-3) Avery 3, Pittman 12, Henderson 18, Johnson 15

MC FG 48.7% 3 PT FG 16.7% FT 64.3% REB 37 TO 13
H FG 36.7% 3 PT FG 25% FT 53.3% REB 23 TO 6

MC 13 08 20 16-57
H 09 07 11 21-48

(Photo credit: Jason Butler)

On this date in Mason County Royals basketball history

2003: The Royals edge St. Henry 59-57 in the first round of the state tournament;
2004: The Royals outlast Trinity 66-59 in triple overtime in the quarterfinal round of the state tournament;

Royals who have been named Kentucky All-Stars in annual series vs. Indiana All-Stars

1970 Ronnie Lyons
1981 Allen Feldhaus Jr.
1982 Kelly Middleton
1987 Deron Feldhaus
1994 Tim Myrick
2003 Jerrod Litzinger, Chris Lofton
2008 Darius Miller
2009 Russ Middleton
2011 Jordan Gilbert
2011 Treg Setty

On this date in Mason County Royals basketball history

1981: Mason County edges Shelby County 53-52 in its first appearance in the state tournament.

Lofton's 39 points lead Royals to their first state title

Chris Lofton tied a state tournament record with nine three-pointers and scored 39 points to lead the Mason County Royals to an 86-65 win over the Louisville Ballard Bruins in the 2003 state championship game. Mason County led 42-28 at the half. Lofton made six three-pointers in the first half. The Royals led by as many as 20 points in the third quarter and were up 62-48 after three quarters. The Briuns cut the Royals' lead to 10 at 68-58 with 4:47 to play in the game. Mason County answered with an 11-2 run to go up 79-60. Lofton was 11-of-17 from the field including 9-of-12 on three-point shots. He was 8-of-8 from the free throw line. Dustin Grutza scored 11 points. Mason County became the first 10th Region team to win the state championship since Maysville won it in 1947.

MC (35-2) Lofton 39, Vice 8, Tibbs 9, Gilbert 4, Jones 7, Myrick 8, Grutza 11
B (27-8) Booker 7, Gulley 7, Lee 6, Baines 9, Whitaker 8, Hedges 15, Reeves 1, Grimes 12

MC FG 55.8% 3 PT FG 60.9% FT 77.8% REB 29 TO 15
B FG 44.8% 3 PT FG 26.3% FT 61.5% REB 29 TO 14

MC 21 21 20 24-86
B 16 12 20 17-65

On this date in Mason County Royals basketball history

2004: Chris Lofton fires in 34 points to lead the Royals to a 71-57 victory over Wayne County in the opening round of the state tournament.

Season by season at The Fieldhouse

1964-65 7-3
1965-66 12-5
1966-67 15-3
1967-68 20-3
1968-69 17-4
1969-70 13-10
1970-71 17-7
1971-72 16-2
1972-73 5-14
1973-74 14-5
1974-75 15-9
1975-76 10-10
1976-77 6-1
1977-78 11-6
1978-79 17-3
1979-80 17-2
1980-81 17-1
1981-82 19-0
1982-83 16-3
1983-84 14-3
1984-85 18-2
1985-86 18-2
1986-87 19-0
1987-88 7-7
1988-89 10-7
1989-90 7-9
1990-91 10-7
1991-92 17-2
1992-93 22-0
1993-94 17-0
1994-95 13-2
1995-96 12-7
1996-97 10-5
1997-98 9-7
1998-99 11-5
1999-00 11-7
2000-01 15-2
2001-02 17-1
2002-03 15-1
2003-04 16-0
2004-05 15-3
2005-06 13-4
2006-07 15-1
2007-08 9-2
2008-09 10-2
2009-10 9-2
2010-11 8-6
2011-12 6-5
2012-13 8-5
2013-14 13-0
2014-15 13-2
2015-16 11-3
2016-17 10-8
2017-18 12-6
2018-19 8-6
2019-20 6-5

2020-21 12-2

2021-22 13-2

2022-23 13-2
Totals 756-233 76.4%

(Updated May 1, 2023)

On this date in Mason County Royals basketball history

2008: The Royals beat Warren Central 62-59 in the first round of the state tournament.

Mr. Basketball winners

Two Mason County players- Chris Lofton (in 2004) and Darius Miller (in 2008) have been named Kentucky Mr. Basketball. Lofton received his award in the State Capitol Rotunda in Frankfort. Miller received his award, including the No. 1 jersey in a ceremony in The Fieldhouse.



(Lofton photo credit: Glenda Weddle)

On this date in Mason County Royals basketball history

1993: The Royals beat Montgomery County 84-61 for the second consecutive regional title;
1994: Mason County earns its third straight trip to the state tournament with a 75-67 victory over Clark County. Kyle Sherman scores a career-high 26 points;
2003: Chris Lofton scores 30 points to lead the Royals to a 78-51 win over Clark County in the championship game of the regional tournament.

Mason County's home court records

Washington Elementary School Gym 37-0 100%
Maysville High School Gym 8-7 53%
Mason County Fieldhouse 756-233 77.3%

Washington Elementary School Gym- first game 11/8/60, last game 11/28/64
Maysville High School Gym- first game 2/17/62, last game 12/18/64
Mason County Fieldhouse- first game 1/15/65



(Updated May 1, 2023)

On this date in Mason County Royals basketball history

1981: Mason County beats Clark County 61-52 for its first 10th Region title. David Orme scores a game-high 18 points.
1986: Deron Feldhaus scores 25 points and Tony Jackson adds 20 points in an 82-59 win over MMI in the semifinals of the regional tournament;
1987: Deron Feldhaus scores 33 points and the Royals beat Fleming County 77-67 in the championship game of the regional tournament;
1992: Orlando Myrick scores 27 points and William Steward adds 21 points in a 75-59 win over Nicholas County in the championship game of the regional tournament;
1994: Shawn Myrick scores 28 points and Anthony Thomas adds 21 in a 101-89 victory over Montgomery County in the semifinals of the regional tournament;
1995: Mason County extends to its school-record home court winning streak to 56 games with an 87-46 win over Bath County. The streak, which began on Feb. 7, 1992, ends three nights later with a loss to Harrison County;
2003: Wesley Jones scores 21 points in a 91-58 win over Bourbon County in the semifinals of the regional tournament.

Regular season tournament championships

Burley Invitational Tournament- 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984,

Harrison County Invitational Tournament- 1982

Mason County Invitational Tournament- 1985, 1986, 1987, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009

Burley Belt Conference Tournament- 1986

Bluegrass Festival Tournament- 1992

Ashland Invitational Tournament- 1993

Mountain Schoolboy Classic- 1999

Fifth-Third Bank Classic- 2002, 2003

River City Classic- 2003

Daytona Beach Sunshine Classic- 2008

US Bank/Mike Murphy Classic- 2014, 2015

On this date in Mason County Royals basketball history

1969: Wayne Burns scores 21 points and Ronnie Lyons adds 20 as the Royals edge Mt. Sterling 65-64 in first round of the regional tournament;
1970: Ronnie Lyons scores 45 points in his final game- an 85-83 loss to Clark County in the semifinals of the Regional tournament;
1975: Steve Lofton scores 25 points and Donnie Black adds 24 points to lead Mason County to an 83-79 double overtime win over in the semifinals of the regional tournament;
1980: Charlie Jackson’s game-high 21 points lead the Royals past Bracken County 77-60 in the first round of the regional tournament;
1982: Kelly Middleton scores 24 points in an 85-71 win over Paris in the championship game of the regional tournament;
1987: Deron Feldhaus scores 28 points to lead the Royals to a 65-55 win over Paris in the regional semifinals;
1992: Timmy Myrick scores 21 points in Mason County’s 75-59 win over Montgomery County in regional semifinals;
2002: The Royals hit a tournament-record 13 three-pointers in a 93-66 rout of Butler. Chris Lofton hit 6-of-10 three-pointers and scored 29 points, and Robert Myrick was 7-of-9 behind the arc and scored 23 points;
2004: Jerrod Litzinger scores 28 points and Dustin Grutza adds 20 as the Royals rout Bourbon County 101-70 for the 10th Region championship.

1965-66 Royals team photo

(This a copy of the 1965-66 team photo that appeared in the Public Ledger in 1965)

On this date in Mason County Royals basketball history

1971: Denny Barbour scores 29 points in a 63-61 win over Harrison County in the semifinals of the 10th Region Tournament.
1982: The Royals edge Clark County 69-67 in overtime in the semifinals of the regional tournament. Kelly Middleton leads all scorers with 26 points;
1992: Timmy Myrick scores a career-high 39 points in an 88-69 win over Paris in the first round of the 10th Region Tournament;
2008: Darius Miller scores 28 points and Trevor Setty adds 22 in the Royals’ 82-61 win over Montgomery County in the region championship game.

Mason County has won a record 85 10th Region Tournament games

The Mason County Royals have won a record 85 10th Region Tournament games. Mason County was tied with Maysville with 71 victories entering the 2010 10th Region Tournament. Here is a decade by decade breakdown of the Royals wins in regional tournament games:

1960s 5

1970s 11

1980s 17

1990s 14

2000s 24

2010s 10

2020s 4

(Updated May 1, 2023)

On this date in Mason County Royals basketball history

1983: Mason County edges Paris 42-40 in the regional semifinals. Gary Beiland leads the way with 22 points;
1995, Shawn Myrick scores a career-high 44 points in a 99-92 loss to Montgomery County in double-overtime in the championship game of the 10th Region Tournament; Billy Ray Fawns scored a game-high 47 points for Montgomery County.
2006: Darius Miller’s 22 points lead the Royals to a 62-59 win over Clark County in championship game of the regional tournament.

Retired jerseys

On this date in Mason County Royals basketball history

1976: Bill Scott scores 29 points in an 83-74 double overtime victory over Pendleton County in the first round of the regional tournament;
2001: Chris Lofton’s 24 points lead the Royals past Bishop Brossart 74-60 in the regional semifinals;
2003: Dustin Grutza scores 22 points and the Royals defeat Montgomery County 85-53 in the first round of the regional tournament.

The Royals' all-time scoring leaders

1. Chris Lofton 2,763
2. Ronnie Lyons 2,621
3. Darius Miller 2,171
4. Shawn Myrick 2,049
5. Deron Feldhaus 1,937

6. Terrell Henry 1,871
7. Russ Middleton 1,753
8. Wesley Jones 1,577
9. Treg Setty 1,524
10. Kelly Middleton 1,523
11. Leevi Dunaway 1,421
12. Timmy Myrick 1,378
13. Mike Corde 1,364
14. Tommy Corde 1,326
15. Kyle Sherman 1,304
16. Dustin Grutza 1,285

17. Jaylen Lofton 1,275
18. Larry Myrick 1,258
19. Allen Feldhaus Jr. 1,234
20. Joe Pollitt 1,229
21. Robert Myrick 1,150

22. Dorian Henry 1,101

23. Denny Barbour 1,077

24. Shawn Johnson 1,062

25. Trevor Setty 1,050

26. Antwavon Williams 1.036

(Updated May 1, 2023)

On this date in Mason County Royals basketball history

1985: Tony Jackson hits a shot at the buzzer to give the Royals a 50-48 win in double-overtime in the championship game of the 10th Region Tournament.;
2002: Chris Lofton scores 31 points in a 63-59 win over Montgomery County in the finals of the regional tournament;
2004: Chris Lofton's 35 points lead the Royals past Clark County 83-73 in the first round of the regional tournament.

Russ Middleton is 7th on the Royals' all-time scoring list

Russ Middleton (class of 2009) is 7th on the Royals' all-time scoring list with 1,753 career points. He led Mason County in scoring his senior season. Middleton scored a career-high 31 points vs. Scott County in 2009. He was named to the All-Tournament Team at the 2008 state tournament. Middleton was named First Team All-State by the Lexington Herald-Leader and Second Team All-State by the Louisville Courier-Journal in 2009. He was the 2009 Kentucky Association of Basketball Coaches 10th Region Player of the Year. Middleton was named the Most Valuable Player of the East All-Stars in the 2009 KABC East/West Charity All-Star Game and co-MVP of the Ohio-Kentucky All-Star Game. He also played for the Kentucky All-Stars in the annual series against the Indiana All-Stars. Middleton played Georgetown College and was a member of the Tigers' 2013 NAIA Division 1 National Championship team.

(Photo credit: Jason Butler)

(Updated on May 1, 2023)

On this date in Mason County Royals basketball history

1961: In their first 10th Region Tournament game, the Royals lose to Bracken County 62-58 ending Mason County’s first season;
1962: The Royals beat Paris 79-58 for their first win in 10th Region Tournament win;
1969: Ronnie Lyons scores 22 points in a 79-59 win over Lewis County in the district finals;
1975: Greg Murphy's 25 points lead the Royals past Fleming County 58-51 for the district championship;
1980: Charlie Jackson scores 24 points to lead Mason County to an 88-81 win over Fleming County in the district championship game;
2002: The Royals edge Bourbon County 79-76 in the semifinals of the regional tournament. Chris Lofton leads the way with 21 points.

2009 10th Region champions

Record: 24-7
Daytona Beach Sunshine Classic champions
Mason County Invitational Tournament champions
39th District champions
10th Region champions

2008-09 roster

3 Ryne King 5-10 155 Jr.
5 Mandela Rice 5-10 170 Sr.
10 Jordan Gilbert 5-10 165 So.
11 Tanner Walton 5-8 140 Fr.
15 Ryan Hamm 5-9 155 Sr.
23 Neal Pawsat 6-2 195 So.
24 Connor Osborne 5-10 160 Fr.
30 Cody Hamm 5-8 155 Fr.
31 Phil Barner 6-6 180 Jr.
32 Justin Lang 5-11 165 Jr.
33 Russ Middleton 6-4 180 Sr.
34 Bradley Lang 6-2 175 Jr.
35 Treg Setty 6-8 180 So.
40 Josh Harris 6-0 185 Fr.
41 Josh Menefee 6-2 165 So.
42 Tyler Black 6-1 200 Fr.
43 Keith Downing 6-3 170 Sr.
45 Colt Fearis 6-2 180 Jr.

Head Coach: Chris O'Hearn
Assistant Coaches: Kelly Carwile, Seth Faulkner, Jerry Butler, Roscoe Fite

On this date in Mason County Royals basketball history

1970: Ronnie Lyons scores 48 points, including 25 in the second quarter, to lead the Royals to an 87-68 victory over Maysville in district championship game;
1979: Kenny Sapp scores 24 points in a 74-58 victory over Paris in the first round of the 10th Region Tournament;
1981: Kelly Middleton tosses in 26 points and Charlie Jackson adds 20 points to lead the Royals to a 92-69 win over Fleming County for the district title;
1987: Jerry Butler scores a career-high 25 points and Deron Feldhaus adds 24 points in a 75-61 win over Fleming County in the district finals;
2003: Chris Lofton and Nathan Myrick score 23 points apiece in 90-66 victory over Fleming County in the district championship game;

Darius Miller is 3rd of the Royals' all-time scoring list

Darius Miller (class of 2008) is third on the Royals' all-time scoring list with 2,171 career points. He was the sixth man on the  University of Kentucky's 2012 National Championship team. He scored 1,248 points for the Wildcats. He was a second round draft pick of the New Orleans Hornets. Here are some of his career highlights:






Mason County

• as an eighth grader, scored five points in the 2004 state championship game;
• led Mason County in scoring his freshman, junior and senior seasons;
• scored a career-high 34 points vs. Tates Creek his senior season;
• scored 24 points to lead the Royals to a 57-48 win over Holmes in the 2008 state championship game;
• named to the All-Tournament Team at the 2008 state tournament;
• named the Most Valuable Player of the 2008 state tournament;
• was named the Kentucky Association of Basketball Coaches 10th Region Player of the Year in 2008;
• was a first-team all-stater his junior and senior seasons,
• named the Kentucky Gatorade Player of the Year in 2008; 
• named to Third Team Parade All-American in 2008;
• named Kentucky's Mr. Basketball in 2008 and played in the Kentucky-Indiana All-Star game

University of Kentucky

• played in 36 games and started in two games his freshman season;
• scored 12 points and had eight rebounds in his first game as a Wildcats
• had 17 points and six assists vs. Tennessee his freshman season;
• started 32 of 38 games his sophomore season and averaged 6.5 points;
• started 37 of 38 games his junior season and averaged 10.9 points;
• scored a career-high 24 points vs. Florida his junior season;
• played in all 40 games and started 11; averaged 9.9 points his senior season;
• scored 19 points vs. Iowa State and Indiana his senior season;
• set Kentucky record for games played (152)
• 2011 SEC Tournament MVP;
• 2012 SEC Sixth Man of the Year;
• 2012 Academic All-SEC; 
• play

World Championships

• averaged 5 points and 3.1 rebounds a game for the U19 U.S. National Team that won the gold medal in the FIBA under-19 world championships in New Zealand in July, 2009. He led the team with 12 blocked shots.

On this date in Mason County Royals basketball history

1968: Ronnie Lyons scores 23 points to lead the Royals to a 65-51 victory over Bourbon County in the opening round of the 10th Region Tournament;
1982: Kelly Middleton scores 31 points in a 63-50 win over St. Patrick in the district finals;
1985: Chris O’Hearn scores a career-high 32 points in a 74-51 win over Montgomery County in the first round of the regional tournament;
1986: Jay Jones scores 23 points and Deron Feldhaus adds 21 points to lead the Royals to a 69-51 victory over Fleming County in the district semifinals;
1993: Shawn Myrick scores 24 points in an 84-51 win over Fleming County in the district championship game;
1996: Justin Myrick scores 24 points and the Royals beat Bracken County 98-57 in the first round of the regional tournament;
2000: Harry Lewis scores 20 points to lead Mason County to a 55-52 win over Clark County in the first round of the regional tournament;
2001: Chris Lofton's 23 points lead the Royals past Clark County 83-62 in the first round of the regional tournament.

Trevor Setty is 25th on the Royals' all-time scoring list

Trevor Setty (class of 2008) is 25th on the Royals' all-time scoring list with 1,050 career points. Setty scored a career-high 27 points vs. West Union in the 2006-07 season and equaled it vs. Lafayette later in the season. Setty played at the University of Pikeville and as a sophomore led the Bears to the 2011 NAIA Division 1 National Championship. He won the Chuck Taylor Most Valuable Player Award after scoring 32 points and grabbing 17 rebounds in the championship game. Setty was named the NAIA Division 1 Men's Basketball Player of the Week on Feb. 19, 2013, was named First Team All-Mid South Conference his junior and senior seasons and was a Second Team All-American his senior season. He played professionally in England for part of the 2013-14 season.

(Updated April 11, 2022)

(Photo credit: Jason Butler)

On this date in Mason County Royals basketball history

1966: Tommy Corde scores 20 points to the lead the Royals to an 81-53 win over Fleming County in the district championship game;
1969: Ronnie Lyons scores 46 points in a 72-66 win over Maysville in the district semifinals becoming the first Royal to score 40 points in a game;
1980: The Royals beat Maysville in the semifinals of the district tournament for the program’s 400th win;
1981: Kelly Middleton scores 23 points and the Royals beat Maysville 70-67 in the district semifinals;
1994: Shawn Myrick scores 27 points in a 113-74 victory over St. Patrick in the district championship game;
2008: 14 Royals scored in a 101-54 win over Deming in the first round of the regional tournament. Darius Miller led the way with 22 points.

2008 state champions

Record: 34-4
Mason County Invitational Tournament champions
39th District champions
10th Region champions
state champions

(Team photo from the 2008 state tournament program)

2007-08 roster

3 Ryne King 5-9 140 So.
5 Mandela Rice 5-9 160 Jr.
11 Westin Stahl 6-0 165 Jr.
15 Ryan Hamm 5-9 155 Jr.
20 Jordan Gilbert 5-9 145 Fr.
21 Darius Miller 6-7 180 Sr.
22 Ethan King 6-3 165 Sr.
23 Neal Pawsat 6-2 185 Fr.
24 Trevor Setty 6-7 180 Sr.
32 Justin Lang 5-8 145 So.
33 Russ Middleton 6-3 180 Jr.
34 Bradley Lang 6-1 155 So.
35 Treg Setty 6-5 170 Fr.
42 Jackson Tolle 6-2 215 Sr.
43 Keith Downing 6-2 165 Jr.
45 Colt Fearis 6-2 155 So.
51 Rheuben Bluford 6-4 175 So.
52 Phillip Barner 6-5 170 So.

Head Coach: Chris O'Hearn
Assistant Coaches: Robert Moore, Seth Faulkner, Jerry Butler

On this date in Mason County Royals basketball history

1961: The Royals beat Maysville 43-42 in the district championship game for their first district title and their first win over the Bulldogs;
1967: Tommy Corde scores 21 points and Fred Hester adds 20 points as the Royals beat Maysville 80-60 in the district championship game;
1970: Ronnie Lyons scores 40 points and Mike Corde scores 20 points in an 82-64 victory over Tollesboro in the district semifinals;
1971: Mike Corde has a game-high 28 points to lead the Royals past Fleming County 80-59 in district semifinals;
1976: Mason County edges Fleming County 69-67 in the district semifinals. Rickey O'Cull leads the Royals with 20 points.
1987: The Royals defeat Maysville 69-64 in overtime in the first round of the district tournament. Jerry Butler scores all seven of Mason County's points in overtime. Deron Feldhaus has a game-high 23 points;
1985: Shawn Myrick scores 22 points and Kyle Sherman adds 20 points as the Royals beat St. Patrick 87-55 for the district title;

2006-07 roster

3 Tyreese Scott 5-8 155 Sr.
23 Brad Pawsat 6-4 190 Sr.
25 Tony Browning 6-3 195 Sr.
41 Nathan Stahl 6-2 185 Sr.
21 Darius Miller 6-6 210 Jr.
24 Trevor Setty 6-5 160 Jr.
42 Jackson Tolle 6-2 200 Jr.
22 Ethan King 6-3 170 Jr.
30 Drew Lykins 6-1 190 Jr.
33 Russ Middleton 6-3 170 So.
31 Jeremy Thompson 5-9 175 So.
15 Ryan Hamm 5-7 125 So.
43 Keith Downing 6-2 1/2 160 So.
5 Mandela Rice 5-7 135 So.
11 Westin Stahl 5-11 165 So.

Head Coach: Chris O'Hearn
Assistant Coaches: Robert Moore, Seth Faulkner, Clay Boone, Chad Mefford

On this date in Mason County Royals basketball history

1962: Gerald "Jerry" King and Curtis Slater score 20 points a apiece in a 56-46 win over the Maysville Bulldogs in the championship game of the 39th District Tournament;
1979: Allen Feldhaus Jr. scores 23 points to lead the Royals past Tollesboro in the district semifinals;
1982: Kelly Middleton scores 21 points and the Royals beat Fleming County in the semifinals of the district tournament;
1983: Jeff Breeze scores 23 points and Gary Beiland adds 22 points in a 69-61 victory over Maysville in the semifinals of the district tournament;
1990: Bryan Tolliver's 31 points lead the Royals to a 77-67 win over Maysville in the district championship game;
2003: Chris Lofton scores 23 points and Dustin Grutza adds 21 in an 80-56 win over St. Patrick in the opening round of the district tournament;
2004: Chris Lofton pours in 42 points to lead the Royals to a 77-52 win over Fleming County in the district semifinals.

2006 10th Region champions

Record: 25-9
39th District champions
10th Region champions
state quarterfinalists

(Team photo from the 2006 state tournament program)

2005-06 roster

52 Mikah Turner 6-3 200 Sr.
5 Tyreese Scott 5-7 145 Jr.
23 Brad Pawsat 6-4 190 Jr.
25 Tony Browning 6-3 190 Jr.
41 Nathan Stahl 6-3 185 Jr.
11 Trevor Setty 6-3 145 So.
20 Drew Lykins 6-0 170 So.
21 Darius Miller 6-6 205 So.
22 Ethan King 6-1 155 So.
24 Mason Whalen 5-9 155 So.
42 Jackson Tolle 6-1 175 So.
51 Chris Temple 6-1 230 So.
15 Ryan Hamm 5-5 135 Fr.
31 Jeremy Thompson 5-9 175 Fr.
33 Russ Middleton 6-3 165 Fr.
43 Keith Downing 6-2 145 Fr.

Head Coach: Chris O'Hearn
Assistant Coaches: Robert Moore, Tim Sullivan, Seth Faulkner

Wesley Jones is 8th on the Royals' all-time scoring list

Wesley Jones is 8th on the Royals' all-time scoring list with 1,577 career points. He led the Royals in scoring (19.1 ppg) his senior season. Jones scored a career-high 34 points vs. University Height Academy in the 2004 River City Classic. He was named to the All-Tournament Team at the 2003 state tournament. Jones is a junior at Central State University. He is averaging 10.9 points a game for the Marauders.

(Photo from a Mason County yearbook)

(Updated on May 1, 2023)

On this date in Mason County Royals basketball history

1967: Donnie Jackson scores 25 points to lead the Royals to a 92-50 win over the Fleming County Panthers in semifinals of the 39th District Tournament;
1970: Ronnie Lyons scores 37 points in a 70-47 win over Fleming County in the semifinals of the district tournament;
2006: Mason County's 1,000th win came in a 72-42 victory over Augusta in the championship game of the district tournament. The Royals blow open the game with a 30-3 run. The 1,000th win was in game 1,400 for the program.

2004-05 roster

15 Andrew Tibbs 5-11 170 Sr.
22 Wes Jones 6-0 180 Sr.
20 Casey Pfeffer 6-2 175 Sr.
10 Chris Schumacher 5-11 170 Sr.
11 Drew Stahl 6-2 180 Sr.
30 Mario Turner 5-10 185 Sr.
35 Phil Davis 5-11 185 Sr.
31 Chris Stapleton 6-0 175 Sr.
52 Mikah Turner 6-3 195 Jr.
32 Barron Conley 6-1 185 Jr.
23 Brad Pawsat 6-3 175 So.
3 Chase Crawford 5-7 165 So.
5 Tyreese Scott 5-7 140 So.
40 Dustin Washington 5-9 165 So.
41 Nathan Stahl 6-2 170 So.
42 Tony Browning 6-1 170 So.
21 Darius Miller 6-4 175 Fr.

Head Coach: Chris O'Hearn
Assistant Coaches: Robert Moore, Seth Faulkner, Darren Gilbert

Chris O'Hearn has been a player, assistant coach and head coach for the Royals

Chris O'Hearn was a standout player for Mason County, served as an assistant coach, and after a brief stint as an administrator, became the Royals' ninth head coach in 2004. O'Hearn is 25th on the Royals' all-time scoring list with 979 career points. He led the Royals in scoring his junior and senior seasons. O'Hearn scored a career-high 32 points against Montgomery County in the first round of the 1985 10th Region Tournament. He scored 26 points in the Royals' win over Lexington Catholic in the first round of the 1985 state tournament. O'Hearn was named third team All-State by the Louisville Courier-Journal in 1985. He played at Georgetown College. O'Hearn was an assistant coach at Barren County and Washington County. He was the head coach at Nicholas County from 1993 to 1995 guiding the Bluejackets to the 10th Region All "A" Classic title in 1994. He was an asssistant coach at Mason County from 1996 to 2001. O'Hearn went into administration in 2002. He was serving as the principal at the Mason County Middle School when Kelly Wells stepped down as the Royals coach to become as assistant coach at Hawaii-Pacific University. O'Hearn was hired as the Royals' coach in September of 2004. O'Hearn guided Mason County to seven district titles, four region championships and the 2008 state championship. He record a 260-85 (.754%) record in 11 seasons at Mason County

(Updated to include the 2014-15 season)

(Photo of O'Hearn's poster in the lobby of The Fieldhouse)

On this date in Mason County Royals basketball history

1961: In their first 39th District Tournament game, the Royals beat St. Patrick 72-44;
1972: Tommy Greene scores 20 points to lead the Royals to a 98-63 win over Fleming County in the semifinals of the district tournament;
1978: Kenny Sapp tosses in 24 points and the Royals defeat Tollesboro 75-59 in the semifinals of the district tournament;

Chris Lofton is the Royals' all-time leading scorer

Chris Lofton is the Royals' all-time leading scorer with 2,763 career points. He played college basketball at the University of Tennessee and is now playing professionally in Spain. He privately battled cancer during his senior season at UT. He was a standout wide receiver for the Mason County football team. He holds Mason County records for receptions in a season, career receptions, receiving yards in a season, career receiving yards and career interceptions. Here are some of the highlights of his high school, college and professional basketball career:

Mason County

• set the freshman (407) and sophomore (612) scoring records;
• led the team in scoring all four seasons, (14 ppg as a freshman, 18 ppg as a sophomore, 21.1 ppg as a junior and 26.8 ppg as a senior);
  
• scored a career-high 54 points vs. Pendleton County in 2004;
• led the Royals their first state championship in 2003 and a state runner-up finish in 2004;
• made nine three-pointers and scored 39 points in Mason County's 86-65 win over Ballard in the 2003 state championship game;
• named the All-Tournament Team at the 2002, 2003 and 2004 state tournaments;
• named Most Valuable Player of the 2003 state tournament;
• ranks third all-time in career points (252) in the state tournament;
• named First Team All-State by the Associated Press in 2003 and 2004;
• named the Kentucky Association of Basketball Coaches 10th Region Player of the Year in 2004;
  
• named the Kentucky Gatorade Player of the Year in 2004;
• named Kentucky's Mr. Basketball in 2004;
• scored 41 points to lead the Kentucky All-Stars to an 89-81 victory over the Indiana All-Stars;

University of Tennessee

• scored 2,131 career points (fourth on the Volunteer's all-time scoring list);
• set the school record for three-pointers in a game with vs. Georgia in 2006;
  
• made a school-record and Southeastern Conference record 431 three-pointers in his career;
• made 42.2 percent of his three-point attempts in his career;
  
• had 60 steals during the 2005-06 season;
• ranks third all-time at UT with 193 career steals;
• set the school-record for career points (130) in the NCAA Tournament;
  
• named to the SEC All-Freshman Team;
  
• was a three-time first-team All-SEC selection;
• named the SEC's Most Valuable Player by Collegeinsider.com in 2006
• seven-time winner of the SEC Player of the Week Award;
  
• named the 2007 Associated Press SEC Player of the Year;
• received the inaugural Southeastern Conference Sportsmanship Award in 2008;
  
• named to the John R. Wooden Award All-America Team in 2008;
• named to numerous other All-America teams;
  
• twice appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated;
• named to the All-Tournament Team at the 2008 Portsmouth Invitational Tournamentl
  

Played for the Denver Nuggets in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas in 2008

Mersin BSB in Turkish Basketball League (2008-09 season)

• hit 13 three-pointers and scored 47 points in a 96-82 win over Fenerbahce Ulker;
• made 17 three-pointers and scored a career-high 61 points in a 116-70 win over CASA TED Kolejliler

Orlando Pro Summer League (2009)

• averaged 11.6 points per game for the Boston Celtics summer team. He shot 54.8% from the field, including 60% (15-of-25) from behind the arc;

Estudiantes in ACB league in Spain (2009-10 season)

• named ACB Player of the Week for week 18;

(Photo of Lofton's poster in the lobby of The Fieldhouse)

On this date in Mason County Royals basketball history

1962: The Royals beat St. Patrick in the semifinals of the district tournament. Curtis Slater scores a game-high 22 points;
1980: Mike Thomas scores 29 points and the Royals close out the regular season with a 74-71 victory over the Bath County Wildcats;
1986: Tony Jackson scores 29 points in a 72-50 win over the Montgomery County Indians;
1995: Mason County beats Fleming County 99-58 in the semifinals of the district tournament. Dominic Myrick leads the way with 23 points;
2005: Andrew Tibbs scores 25 points to the lead the Royals to an 83-64 win over the Deming Black Devils in the first round of the district tournament.

Dustin Grutza is 16th on the Royals' all-time scoring list

Dustin Grutza (class of 2004) is 16th on the Royals' all-time scoring list with 1,285 career points. He was the point guard on 2003 state championsship team and the 2004 state runner-up team. He scored a career-high 28 points vs. Clark County in the 2003 River City Classic. He was named to the All-Tournament Team at the 2003 and 2004 state tournaments. Grutza, a three-year starter at quarterback, holds Mason County records for passing yards in a season, career passing yards, touchdown passes in a season, career touchdown passes, total offense in a season and career total offense. He was the quarterback for the 2004 Kentucky All-Star Team. Grutza passed for 4,476 yards and 29 touchdowns in four seasons at the University of Cincinnati.

(Updated April 8, 2018)

(Photo credit: Katie Hunter)

On this date in Mason County Royals basketball history

2004: Chris Lofton scores a career-high 54 points in a 99-83 win over Pendleton County on Senior Night and becomes Mason County’s all-time leading scorer.

2004 state runner-up

Record: 33-3
River City Classic champions
Fifth-Third Bank Classic champions
Mason County Invitational Tournament champions
39th District champions
10th Region champions
state runner-up

(Photo from the 2004 state tournament program)

2003-04 roster

3 Zach Harrison 6-0 170 Jr.
4 Chris Lofton 6-3 185 Sr.
5 Chase Crawford 5-8 140 Fr.
10 Chris Schumacher 5-11 175 Jr.
11 Drew Stahl 6-3 180 Jr.
15 Andrew Tibbs 5-11 160 Jr.
20 Casey Pfeffer 6-1 167 Jr.
21 Darius Miller 6-2 155 8th
22 Wesley Jones 6-1 172 Jr.
23 Brad Pawsat 6-2 155 Fr.
30 Mario Turner 5-10 160 Jr.
33 Dustin Grutza 6-3 190 Sr.
34 Jarrod Litzinger 6-3 180 Sr.
50 Chris Hopper 6-3 200 Sr.
52 Mikah Turner 6-3 190 So.

Head Coach: Kelly Wells
Assistant Coaches: Mark Starns, Robert Moore, Darren Gilbert

On this date in Mason County Royals basketball history

1992: Orlando Myrick scores 21 points to lead the Royals to a 98-45 win over the Bath County Wildcats;
2008 Darius Miller scores 26 points including his 2,000th career point in a 94-53 win over St. Patrick in the 39th District Tournament.

2003 state champions

Record: 35-2
Fifth-Third Bank Classic champions
Mason County Invitational Tournament Champions
39th District champions
10th Region champions
State champions

(Photo from the 2003 state tournament porgram)

2002-03

3 Zach Harrison 5-10 160 So.

4 Chris Lofton 6-3 185 Jr.

5 Robert White 5-9 140 Sr.

10 Chris Schumacher 6-2 185 So.

11 Seth Vice 5-11 160 Sr.

15 Andrew Tibbs 5-11 160 So.

20 Casey Pfeffer 6-0 170 So.

21 Derek Gilbert 6-3 210 Sr.

22 Wesley Jones 6-1 165 So.

23 Nathan Myrick 6-0 165 Sr.

32 Tyler Murray 6-0 165 Sr.

33 Dustin Grutza 6-3 185 Jr.

34 Jarrod Litzinger 6-3 195 Jr.

42 John Rice 6-1 190 Jr.

50 Chris Hopper 6-3 195 Jr.

Head Coach: Kelly Wells

Assistant Coaches: Mark Starns, Robert Moore, Darren Gilbert

On this date in Mason County Royals basketball history

1982: Mason County beats Bath County 82-50 to complete an undefeated regular season (25-0);
1998: Chris Linback scores a career-high 31 points in a 65-56 win over St. Patrick in the 39th District Tournament. It’s the program’s 800th win.

Robert Myrick II is 21st on the Royals' all-time scoring list

Robert Myrick II (class of 2002) is 21st on the Royals' all-time scoring list with 1,150 career points. Myrick scored a career-high 39 points vs. Montgomery County in the 2002 Mason County Invitational Tournament. He made 7-of-9 three-pointers and scored 23 points in the Royals' 93-66 win over Butler in the first round of the 2002 state tournament. Myrick was named to the All-Tournament Team at the 2002 state tournament.


(Updated on April 11, 2022)


(Photo from the 2002 Mason County yearbook)

2002 10th Region champions

Record: 28-6
Mason County Invitational Tournament champions
39th District champions
10th Region champions
State quarterfinalist

(Photo from the 2002 state tournament program)

On this date in Mason County Royals basketball history

1961: Mason County closes out it first regular season with 94-48 rout of Nicholas County and improves its record to 22-3.Arlie Mitchell leads the Royals with 20 points.
1981: David Orme scores a game-high 22 points and Kelly Middleton adds 21 points in a 73-64 win over Harrison County.

2001-02 roster

3 Tee Commodore 5-10 145 Sr.
4 Chris Lofton 6-2 165 So.
10 Robert Myrick 5-10 160 Sr.
11 Seth Vice 5-11 160 Jr.
22 Wesley Jones 5-11 160 Fr.
23 Nathan Myrick 6-0 160 Jr.
31 D. J. Chambers 6-2 175 Sr.
32 Brad Pritchard 6-0 160 Jr.
33 Dustin Grutza 6-1 155 So.
34 Jarrod Litzinger 6-1 175 So.
40 J. J. Burns 6-1 175 So.
51 G. G. Lofton 6-5 255 Sr.

Head Coach: Kelly Wells
Assistant Coaches: Mark Starns, Robert Moore, Pat Moore

On this date in Mason County Royals basketball history

1978: Joe Pollitt scores 27 points and Kirby Hamilton adds 22 points as the Royals beat Bath County 82-63.
1982: Willie Feldhaus scores 22 points to lead the Royals to a 53-28 victory over Harrison County.

Don Stahl's scoresheet from Ronnie Lyons' 60-point game

Here is the scoresheet WFTM play-by-play announcer Don Stahl used for Ronnie Lyon's 60-point game against Bourbon County in 1970. Lyons scored 16 points in the first quarter, 15 in the second quarter, 12 in the third quarter and 17 in the fourth quarter. He had 28 field goals and was 4-of-6 on free throws. A school-record 60 points before there was a three-point shot. Click on the scoresheet to enlarge it.

On this date in Mason County Royals basketball history

1962: Jerry King scores a career-high 29 points in a 94-66 win over MMI. Tom Boerwinkle, who went on to play for the University of Tennessee and the Chicago Bulls, scores 4 points for MMI.

2000-01 roster

34 Joe Ross 6-2 180 Sr.

21 Harry Lewis 6-3 195 Sr.
42 Adam Cecil 6-3 170 Sr.
31 D.J. Chambers 6-2 175 Jr.
10 Robert Myrick 5-10 160 Jr.
3 Tee Commodore 5-10 145 Jr.
40 Matt Gilbert 6-0 180 Jr.
23 Nathan Myrick 6-0 160 So.
51 Derek Gilbert 6-3 200 So.
32 Brad Prichard 6-1 175 So.
25 Brad Cline 6-0 179 So.
11 Seth Vice 5-11 160 So.
4 Chris Lofton 6-1 165 Fr.
20 Dustin Grutza 6-0 155 Fr.
30 Jarrod Litzinger 6-1 175 Fr.

Head Coach: Kelly Wells
Assistant Coaches: Buddy Biggs, Chris O'Hearn, Pat Moore

On this date in Mason County Royals basketball history

1967: the Royals get their 20th win of the season by beating Newport 77-63. Fred Hester scores 29 points and Tommy Corde scores 26.

1960-61 Royals recognized

Mason County High School's first basketball team, the 1960-61 squad, was recognized at halftime of the Mason County vs. Bryan Station game last night. Two players on the first team, Freddie Warner and Larry Jones, are deceased. They were represented by family members. Two other players, Mike Faurest and Jerry King, were unable to attend. Click on the video to watch the introduction of the team.

On this date in Mason County Royals basketball history

1970: Ronnie Lyons scores a career-high 60 points in an 82-76 win over Bourbon County. It remains the school record.

1999-2000 roster

11 Seth Faulkner 6-0 Sr.

50 Jamal Chambers 6-5 Sr.

45 Geoff Sherman 6-0 Sr.

23 Martinae Commodore 6-2 Sr.

21 Harry Lewis 6-3 Jr.

34 Joe Ross 6-0 Jr.

25 Jerrell Bolden 5-11 Jr.

42 Adam Cecil 6-3 Jr.

52 Adam Zeigler 6-5 Jr.

30 Mitch Thomas 5-9 Jr.

20 Bryan Purcell 5-9 Jr.

31 D. J. Chambers 6-1 So.

3 Tee Commodore 5-9 So.

10 Robert Myrick 5-9 So.
40 Matt Gilbert 6-0 So.
23 Nathan Myrick 6-0 Fr.

Head Coach: Kelly Wells
Assistant Coaches: Henry Boone, Pat Moore, Chad Simms

On this date in Mason County Royals basketball history

1963: Monroe Foreman’s 27 points lead the Royals to a 68-47 win over St. Patrick.

Larry Myrick is 18th on the Royals' all-time scoring list

Larry Myrick (class of 1999) is 18th on the Royals' all-time scoring list with 1, 258 career points. Myrick led Mason County in scoring his sophomore and senior seasons, and led the team in scoring average his junior season. He scored a career-high 41 points vs. Paris in 1999.

(Updated April 11, 2022)

(Photo cropped from the 1997 team picture)

On this date in Mason County Royals basketball history

1966: Donnie Sargent scores a career-high 31 points in a 66-62 loss to Bourbon County.
1984: The Royals edge the Paris Greyhounds 54-53 for the program’s 500th win.

1998-99 roster

3 Eddie Dunlap 5-10 Sr.
43 Larry Myrick 6-4 Sr.
40 Justin Walsh 6-2 Sr.
51 Andy Calland 6-3 Sr.
11 Seth Faulkner 6-0 Jr.
4 Justin Warner 5-9 Jr.
50 Jamal Chambers 6-4 Jr.
21 Harry Lewis 6-2 So.
34 Joe Ross 6-2 So.
45 Geoff Sherman 6-0 So.
30 Brent Howell 5-10 So.
31 Duane Chambers 6-0 Fr.
42 Robert Myrick 5-10 Fr.
Jon Son
Jerrell Bolden
G. G. Lofton
Martinae Commodore

Head Coach: Kelly Wells

Assistant Coaches: Henry Boone, Chris O'Hearn, Pat Moore

State championship trophies

On this date in Mason County Royals basketball history

1962: Five Royals score in double figures in a 71-51 win over Deming. Freddie Warner leads the way with 17 points.

1997-98 roster

32 Justin Myrick 6-0 Sr.
50 Jon Ross 6-5 Sr.
45 Chris Linback 6-4 Sr.
31 Tony Thomas 6-3 Sr.
30 Patrick Mitchell 6-0 Sr.
22 Josh Vice 6-1 Sr.
21 Michael Black 6-1 Sr.
42 Larry Myrick 6-3 Jr.
40 Justin Walsh 6-2 Jr.
51 Andy Calland 6-4 Jr.
3 Eddie Dunlap 5-9 Jr.
41 Steve Lofton 6-4 So.
11 Seth Faulkner 6-0 So.
23 Nick Gilbert 6-1 So.
43 Geoff Sherman 6-0 So.
25 Justin Warner 5-8 So.
20 Andre Brooks 6-0 So.
52 Jamal Chambers 6-3 So.
Harry Lewis Fr.

Head Coach: Kelly Wells
Assistant Coaches: Henry Boone, Chris O'Hearn, Pat Moore

On this date in Mason County Royals basketball history

1967: Fred Hester scores 30 points and Mason County edges Anderson County 75-74;
1988: Mason County beats Tollesboro 79-54 for the program’s 600th win;
2008: The Royals shoot 62.3% from the field in a 90-61 win over Elliott County. Darius Miller has a double-double with 29 points and 15 rebounds. Russ Middleton adds 27 points.

Kelly Wells guides Mason County to its first state championship

Kelly Wells was hired as Mason County's eighth head coach in 1998. Wells was an all-stater at Rowan County. He played one season at Tulsa University before transferring to Morehead State University. He was the head coach at Marion County for two seasons before coming to Mason County. Wells guided the Royals to three consecutive 10th Region titles. The 2002-03 team won a school-record 35 games and the basketball program's first state championship. The 2003-04 team won 33 games and was the state-runner-up. Wells compiled a record of 172-56 (75.4%) in seven seasons at Mason County. He was twice named Kentucky Coach of the Year. Wells coached the Kentucky All-Star team in 2004. He left Mason County in 2004 to become an assistant coach at Hawaii-Pacific University. Wells was promoted to head coach at Hawaii-Pacific in 2005. He is in his third season as the head coach at Pikeville College.

(Photo from the 2002 Mason County yearbook)

On this date in Mason County Royals basketball history

1969: Ronnie Lyons scores 28 points in a 79-70 win over Harlan.

1996-97 roster

54 Trey Clark 5-10 200 Sr.

51 Chad Simms 6-0 185 Sr.
15 Scott Reule 5-8 145 Sr.
11 Rob Allison 6-1 140 Jr.
45 Chris Linback 6-4 190 Jr.
30 Patrick Mitchell 5-9 145
32 Justin Myrick 5-11 160 Jr.
41 Jeff Richeson 6-2 165 Jr.
50 Jon Ross 6-3 195 Jr.
34 Jermaine Turner 6-2 165 Jr.
22 Josh Vice 6-1 140 Jr.
52 Andy Calland 6-2 180 So.
10 Eddie Dunlap 5-6 130 So.
33 Jordan Fritz 5-9 155 So.
21 Marcus Gibbs 6-0 155 So.
42 Larry Myrick 6-2 175 So.
31 Tony Thomas 6-2 160 So.
40 Justin Walsh 6-2 165 So.

Head Coach: Steve Appelman
Assistant Coaches: Henry Boone, Dickie Butler, Chris O'Hearn

On this date in Mason County Royals basketball history

1961: Rusty Ryan scores 24 points as the Royals beat Deming 81-71.

Steve Appelman was Royals' interim coach for the 1996-97 season

Steve Appelman was the Royals interim coach for the 1996-97 season. Appelman had served as assistant coach for five seasons after the Maysville-Mason County merger. Appelman, a longtime assistant coach at Maysville, was the Bulldogs' head coach during their final season (1990-91). He guided Mason County to an 18-10 record. Appelman has served as the principal of Mason County High School since 2001l.

(Photo cropped from the team photo in the 1992 state tournament program)

On this date in Mason County Royals basketball history

1962: Gerald King scores 27 points and Curtis Slater scores 24 as Mason County beats Harrison County 84-78.
1982: The Royals pull out a 64-61 road win over Taylor County to stay unbeaten. Kelly Middleton has a game-high 20 points.

1995-96 roster

32 Richie Butler 6-4 Sr.

40 Clay Boone 6-1 Sr.

42 Wesley West 6-1 Sr.

54 J.R. Boulden 6-4 Sr.

5 Scott Reule 5-8 Jr.

51 Trey Clark 5-10 Jr.

33 Chad Simms 6-1 Jr.
11 Justin Myrick 5-10 So.

15 Robbie Allison 6-0 So.

22 Josh Vice 6-0 So.

23 Jay Emmons 6-0 So.

30 Patrick Mitchell 5-9 So.

34 Jermaine Turner 6-1 So.

41 Jeff Richeson 6-1 So.

45 Chris Linback 6-4 So.

50 Jon Ross 6-4 So.

52 Ronnie Anderson 6-1 So.

31 Tony Thomas 6-1 Fr.

Head Coach: Fred Hester

Assistant Coaches: Steve Appelman, Dickie Butler, Henry Boone

On this date in Mason County Royals basketball history

1972: Kenny Ross scores 20 points to lead the Royals past Estill County 63-60;
2002: Chris Lofton scores 33 points in a 111-63 victory over Bracken County.

Shawn Myrick is 4th on the Royals' all-time scoring list

Shawn Myrick is fourth on the Royals' all-time scoring list with 2,049 career points. He led the team in scoring his sophomore, junior and senior seasons. Myrick scored a career-high 44 points in his final game- the championship game of the 1995 10th Region Tournament. Myrick played junior college basketball before finishing his college career at the University of Cincinnati.