IGNOTUS

I wouldn't say it was "ridiculous", maybe the way Thomas More Camp was run was "ridiculous" with the scheduling and rescheduling of games. Pendleton Played 3 games at Mason Co on Friday, then were scheduled to play 4 at Thomas More 9,10,11,12 yesterday. The times ended up being split up and they picked up a game against Campbell Co who they beat. Pendleton is now 14-6 on the summer with 3 games left against Dixie Heights, Beechwood & Holmes next week.

In no particular order, and without seeing a few team's play this summer I'd throw Montgomery, Brossart, Pendleton, Harrison, and of course you can't discount the major players for the title the last few years in Clark & Mason

Pendleton Co went 2-1. Lost to Mason Co by 2 in the first game(Heard Mason Co treated it more like a regular season game, think they had a bone to pick?), then beat West Carter by 30 the very next game. After a game break they then beat a scrappy Georgetown OH team by 15ish points after a slow start. After playing at Thomas More Camp today PC will have played 16 games in 6 days, 7 in less then 24 hours. Region seems to be anyones to grab with a solid 5 teams being able to win come March

I believe Pendleton Co just got back from Centre team camp where they played 9 games in two & a half days. I'd say they wanted the off day Thursday so they were ok with the 3 games on Fridays schedule.

Very correct on the Simm's statement, he said before the draw saturday no way he makes same mistake as last year and will take the visting bench even as the home team.

Get your popcorn ready for the fan show down before the game even starts! Pendleton will in fact be taking the "away" bench even though they are slated as the home team. But you better believe the rowdy crowd from Flamouth will be there well in advance and try to stake their claim on the home side stands. Fred Hester said at the region draw that as tournament director he wasn't going to ask Mason fans to switch sides (that question was raised from the Clark Co staff), but if PC fans get there early enough and claim all the seats he can't ask them to move either. Wasn't really impressed with Mason's fan support last night, Pendleton brought the house with the whole lower and upper side downing red & black.

Look's like Newport is the only school not reporting, for all girl's and boy's. Anyone know what the deal is there? I know they forfeited a couple games they had rescheduled but ended up not wanting to play.

Let me get one last post in before tonight's game -- "better late than never..." First of all, I was very impressed with the KFC Yum! Center as I should have been...it is a top-of-the-line arena, other than the name! The lobby's layout is a work of art that I could probably stare at all day from the view on the street. The actual arena has a different look to it, but not necessarily a bad look. I was sitting on the 1st row of a 300 level section and have no complaints about watching the game; however, get more towards the top and I might have a problem. The combined tvs on the back of the jumbo screens were a good idea showing a closer-up of gameplay as well as stats for both teams and individual players. A couple other things about the arena: unsurpassed technology on display; great to see the student section close to the floor & and the opposing team going towards them in the 2nd half; and can anyone get me tickets to the 4-seater dining tables??? but don't get me started on the chicken sandwich for $11.25 nor the 3 tacos for $10+!!! Now onto my quick analysis of the basketball game... Pitino had his guys ready as UofL started hot: good to see Marra and Buckles get going early; I wish Terrence Jennings would better use his unbelievable athletic ability...his offensive game makes me think he's a freshman! Louisville's depth started to show as the game went on...depth that I did not know they would have. If i were Pitino, I would keep the same starting line-up...have Preston come off the bench, but play starter mintues (once he is fully healthy). He is a spark to any line-up on both sides of the ball, whatever his shot selection may be. Van Treese and Justice gave max effort Tuesday night...looks like Justice will be back-up PG behind Siva, who didn't play well but that could be attributed to foul trouble. It seems to me that Pitino loves his KY boys! I think this game would have been a different story if it weren't for an apparent injury to Shelvin Mack in the 2nd half...he couldn't be stopped, totalling most of Butler's points in the 1st half. Yes you can say it also would have been different had Howard not gotten into foul trouble in the 1st half, but that is normal for him. UofL gave Butler plenty of opportunities to come back late in the game, but they couldn't take advantage with Mack out. With only 1 road game before the calendar year is over, I look for UofL to be undefeated (only loss I could predict is the road game @ WKU) going into their New Year's Eve match-up with the University of Kentucky Wildcats. If the Cardinals can pull out a victory that night, look for a Times Square on New Year's Eve type atmosphere at 4th Street Live!!! C-A-R-D-S Cards

I didn't get to make the game tonight, but the Ragin' Royals sounded like they came out strong despite the weather (per WFTM). Mason County's time of possession in the 1st quarter was something like 3 minutes and they still scored 27 points!!! Royals O that good, or Breds D that bad? ToP probably strongly favored Harrison County as they had the ball the whole 3Q and the beginning of the 4Q; however, it does not reflect the score of the game. Usually the the team who wins ToP wins the game...unless the opponent catches lightning and that's what Mason Co did tonight! Congratulations to Jordan Gilbert who moved into 3rd place in Royals history in either career receptions or career receiving yards (can't remember which I heard on the radio). Another congrats to Neal Pawsat who has now passed for over 4,000 yards in his varsity career, which is 2nd all-time for the Royals. I don't think he'll be surpassing the #1, Dustin Grutza, anytime soon though...the former Royal and UC Bearcat threw for around 8000 yards in his high school career!!

I hope his backup is the retired, I mean un-retired Brett Favre because only he could withstand the pressure that the Ads front line applied. Pawsat was 13 of 24 for 171 yards and 2 TD's...not amazing stats but it is early in the season. Yes he had a couple intentional grounding penalties and took some sacks...what high school quarterback wouldn't when a defender is rushing untouched on his blindside???

What a senior year for an individual player that was also able to accomplish team goals...All "A" State Champs (I'm guessing Justice was MVP), Sweet 16 State Champs (Justice=MVP), Mr. Basketball. 'Nuff said!!!

I agree. The Royals, other than the guards, played very deflated today.

What a great season and a good run for Mason County...unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. :cry: There's only one better way to end a season on Saturday and thats in the night game at Rupp Arena...the Royals were just one short of that. Coming into the year, many (including myself) didn't think that Coach O'Hearn had enough talent to get back to the Greatest Show in Hoops, but boy did they prove us all wrong! Injuries early in the season allowed Mason to become a more balanced team, especially Rhueben Bluford. I'd like to call it the "Blooming of Bluford" as he was giving PT to show us all what he is capable of. I don't know why the state tournament should be any different??? :confused: I hope he is able to continue his basketball career (from what I've been hearing, Berea and Pikeville are possibilites). IMO the guard combo of Jordan Gilbert and Justin Lang was the Royals greatest asset come tourney time (10th Region & Sweet 16). JG will be a fun player to watch next year in both football and basketball, while J.Lang will be missed surprisingly on offense, but particularly on the defensive end. I believe Justin earned the right to be named All-Tournament Team by his play at Rupp. Bradley Lang was an aggressive player on both ends of the floor, but just couldn't seem to get anything going at Rupp. However, he has better things coming his way...good luck to him as he continues his football career. One player that needs to keep his head up is Treg Setty. He had a lot of pressure to be the leader of this year's team, but I am not sure if he fits that role. He is a good player with even greater potential, but needs to find out how to maximize what he has been given to the fullest. He always wears his emotion on his proverbial sleeve, but he needs to learn how to keep them in check. Neal Pawsat, Tyler Black, and Josh Harris are all athletic studs and will be assets for the both the football and basketball programs at Mason County next year. Look for these three players to be on D1 fields sometime in the next several years. I think there will always be questions about coaching, whether it be strategy or substition patterns, but Coach O'Hearn and staff, especially Carwile, did a phenomenal job this year...they must be doing something right to give the Royals the opportunity to play at Rupp Arena 3 straight years. Mason County was just beat by a better team this morning...that team being Shelby Valley. Solid, fundamental play from the Wildcats allowed them to advance to tonight to play for the state championship. They already have the All "A" under their belts and I think they will get this one too. Oh yeah, and they have Elisha Justice.

I'm hoping for a close game with the victory going to the Rupp Arena, excuse me, Mason County Royals! haha. IMO it'll be interesting to see how Bluford and Setty come back in this game, considering their PT in last night's game...

On a more positive note: Bluford shows up again BIG for the Royals. IMO he is the most important player for Mason County. Bradley Lang was aggressive all night on both ends. And once again, as the same in the region finals, the combination of Gilbert on the offensive end and J.Lang on the defensive end proved vital at the guard position for Coach O'Hearn's squad.