TTS, you hit the nail on the head - my sentiments exactly.

 

Ol' papa has been around long enough to have seen some pretty mediocre (at best) basketball. When my son was in school in the mid-late 90's, the Royals weren't exactly world beaters.

 

And I've seen them at their absolute best. Daughter graduated in 2008; and she had the thrill of graduating with a state championship class. She got chosen to participate in the National Guard halftime contest, so she can always say that she has scored a few baskets at Rupp Arena. She got to be a part - in some small measure - of a state championship. Nothing galvanizes a small community in Kentucky like following a group of young men on a run in high-school basketball.

 

So while I will continue to support Mason County sports in some small way; let's celebrate what Augusta accomplished last night!

TTS, you hit the nail on the head - my sentiments exactly.

 

Ol' papa has been around long enough to have seen some pretty mediocre (at best) basketball. When my son was in school in the mid-late 90's, the Royals weren't exactly world beaters.

 

And I've seen them at their absolute best. Daughter graduated in 2008; and she had the thrill of graduating with a state championship class. She got chosen to participate in the National Guard halftime contest, so she can always say that she has scored a few baskets at Rupp Arena. She got to be a part - in some small measure - of a state championship. Nothing galvanizes a small community in Kentucky like following a group of young men on a run in high-school basketball.

 

So while I will continue to support Mason County sports in some small way; let's celebrate what Augusta accomplished last night!

 

Well said, Papa!

Big win for Augusta. And they are young. Could be more wins like this in the near future for them.

Congratulations to the Panthers!!!! This is great for the community!

TTS, you hit the nail on the head - my sentiments exactly.

 

Ol' papa has been around long enough to have seen some pretty mediocre (at best) basketball. When my son was in school in the mid-late 90's, the Royals weren't exactly world beaters.

 

And I've seen them at their absolute best. Daughter graduated in 2008; and she had the thrill of graduating with a state championship class. She got chosen to participate in the National Guard halftime contest, so she can always say that she has scored a few baskets at Rupp Arena. She got to be a part - in some small measure - of a state championship. Nothing galvanizes a small community in Kentucky like following a group of young men on a run in high-school basketball.

 

So while I will continue to support Mason County sports in some small way; let's celebrate what Augusta accomplished last night!

 

Well said Papa. We have the utmost respect for Mason's tradition of excellence and expectations and have modeled our program and thinking in a like manner.

According to The Cats' Pause and Brad Laux pre-season rankings in the 10th Region...

 

1. Montgomery County

2. Bishop Brossart

3. Scott

4. Campbell County

5. Harrison County

6. Mason County

7. Augusta

8. Bourbon County

9. GRC

10. Nicholas County

 

Only team to advance to Regional tournament not ranked in the top 10 is Bracken County.

 

 

[h=1][/h]Terry Prather, The Ledger Independent

Augusta's Brent Bach acknowledges the fans after the final seconds tick off the clock. His team defeated the Mason County Royals in the Fieldhouse to earn a berth in the finals of the 39th District tounament Thursday night.

 

The Panthers beat Mason County for the first time ever, snapping a 28-game losing streak in the series. They earned their third straight trip to the region tournament and locked up their first 20-win season since 2001-2002.

They also ensured the region tourney will be held without the Royals for the first time since 1997, ended Mason County's 12-season string of district titles and its 42-game winning streak against 39th District opponents.

 

It was relatively muted, with an assist on that to Augusta principal and former longtime coach Robin Kelsch, who called his son Tanner over to his midcourt seat for a brief conversation when Crawford was at the line with 17.8 seconds to play.

“He said, 'Just tell your team, win with class,'” the younger Kelsch said. “'Don't do anything too flashy, don't show off, just do what you all have done all year.'”

Mason County's season comes to a premature end, by its standards.

 

The district final will have a victor other than the Royals for the first time since St. Patrick beat Mason County in 2000. The Panthers' opponent is Bracken County, for the fourth time this season, on Thursday night.

 

Panthers end Royals' reign atop district

 

 

[h=1][/h]Terry Prather, The Ledger Independent

Augusta's Brent Bach acknowledges the fans after the final seconds tick off the clock. His team defeated the Mason County Royals in the Fieldhouse to earn a berth in the finals of the 39th District tounament Thursday night.

 

The Panthers beat Mason County for the first time ever, snapping a 28-game losing streak in the series. They earned their third straight trip to the region tournament and locked up their first 20-win season since 2001-2002.

They also ensured the region tourney will be held without the Royals for the first time since 1997, ended Mason County's 12-season string of district titles and its 42-game winning streak against 39th District opponents.

 

It was relatively muted, with an assist on that to Augusta principal and former longtime coach Robin Kelsch, who called his son Tanner over to his midcourt seat for a brief conversation when Crawford was at the line with 17.8 seconds to play.

“He said, 'Just tell your team, win with class,'” the younger Kelsch said. “'Don't do anything too flashy, don't show off, just do what you all have done all year.'”Mason County's season comes to a premature end, by its standards.

 

The district final will have a victor other than the Royals for the first time since St. Patrick beat Mason County in 2000. The Panthers' opponent is Bracken County, for the fourth time this season, on Thursday night.

 

Panthers end Royals' reign atop district

 

This

What a game by the Panthers. It was obvious by the middle of the first quarter who wanted this game more. They hit big shot after big shot! I think Mason County's downfall was in the first half they did not run the offense through Johnson. As Randy stated above, Augusta had no answer for him inside but he hardly touched the ball the entire 2nd quarter. Now that Mason is out, I hope to see that matchup of Augusta vs Montgomery as I think Prewitt and Bach are the premier players in the Region. Bach is a fun player to watch. Does anyone know what colleges are looking at him so far?

Congrats to Coach Hinson and the Panthers.

 

This

 

After reading the article, this statement is why I posted it....very classy.

Congratulations to Coach Hinson and the Augusta Panthers. Really admire the confidence in which this game was coached and played. It was very evident from the beginning that Augusta knew they could win this game. As a interesting sidenote, which has been noted in other threads, this was, what I believe to be Cody Staggs third game of season. He just recently became eligible, after having transferred from Mason Co. To return to the Fieldhouse and be a part of this game had to be extra special.

After reading the article, this statement is why I posted it....very classy.

 

Of course, I am a little biased, being I'm the brother of Robin Kelsch and Tanner's Uncle, but classy is the only way Robin knows. He takes pride in doing things the right way.

 

Very proud of my alma mater for this big win.

Of course, I am a little biased, being I'm the brother of Robin Kelsch and Tanner's Uncle, but classy is the only way Robin knows. He takes pride in doing things the right way.

 

Very proud of my alma mater for this big win.

 

I'd echo that statement PK. I can also report that Coach Hinson announced to the players and fans alike that anything posted on facebook, twitter,etc. needed to be positive and first class.; nothing derogatory.

Congrats to Augusta and Jason Henson, they played well and totally deserved to win. Like I said on other threads, best team wins on that night no matter who has "Home Court Advantage" Augusta has played three games and had practiced in the Fieldhouse. Maybe they now will have Home Court advantage.