Nice bounce back for the Royals.

 

Hard to enjoy this after the debacle last night, BUT it's still a great win.

 

Get through the 3 games next week and then they can start getting some rest in between games and gearing up for a run in March.

Welcome back Royals!! We really missed you. Thank you Mr. Chasteen for a different officiating crew. Thanks Plato. I googled BBA! :thumb:

The Royals finally came back to life in the second half. Nice to see Setty regain his stroke; gave MC a big lift in the third quarter. Another solid game from King, and it was good to see Russ bounce back from that nasty spill. And Darius did it all tonight. I thought that the Centennial team was very athletic, but not nearly the basketball TEAM that LexCath or Scott County puts on the floor - lots of 1-on 1 and not a lot of team defense. Darius got to the rim a lot tonight.

 

And solid minutes again from frosh Neal Pawsat. To Pawsat's mom and dad - thanks for noticing the BGP gear that papa was sporting tonight - I'm sure the powers-that-be appreciate it.:thumb:

Mason County will be fine and to those that wonder why they don't dominate game in and game out, there are intangiables that take place where this sort of thing doesn't come easy. It amazes me with what we expect and the comments are made when a bad game is played. The rankings, being #1 is nice for us to talk about but not so easy for the players. The kids are still kids and I don't care what team you play for with the amount of pressure that is put on kids today to excel is tremendous especially for big time programs. I read statements on some LOYAL fans of Mason County about the Royals such as.... finally came back to life as one, finally waking up, and I think well this is easy to make because we are fans, but then I think we aren't in the players position so its not as easy to understand the pressure these kids are under. They are human, they will have bad weeks of games, may not make our expectations live to be true, but remember its not that they intend to go out and not excel to the best of their abilities. A lot of their shortcomings are a result of fine basketball teams around the state in Catholic and Scott County(I name those two as they have defeated the Royals thus far). It amazes me how some loyal fans seem to forget that these talented bunch of kids on Mason County's squad will have a off night here and there before we come on this site and make statements about how how these kids finally put together a run in the 3rd quarter, how they finally come back in the second half, how it was hard to enjoy after a debacle from last night, how these kids finally wake up, how Miller finally dominated(he does in so many ways other than scoring) and yes D Miller is allowed to have a off night. This team will be fine and I think the staff at Mason County is doing a great job as well, this program is and always has been a first class program. Good luck the rest of the way!

Did they have any talent or size? I saw where they had a close game with Rose Hill.

 

If this team had a close game with Rose Hill(who has been beat on by KY teams this season), then this is no win to think Mason is back. A team that only scores 1 point in the second quarter, no matter what Class they are in,what state they are from or how big they are are not that good. They porbably wouldn't crack the top ten in this state. Mason and Miller need to show against the Knights this weekend for confidence.

Mason County will be fine and to those that wonder why they don't dominate game in and game out, there are intangiables that take place where this sort of thing doesn't come easy. It amazes me with what we expect and the comments are made when a bad game is played. The rankings, being #1 is nice for us to talk about but not so easy for the players. The kids are still kids and I don't care what team you play for with the amount of pressure that is put on kids today to excel is tremendous especially for big time programs. I read statements on some LOYAL fans of Mason County about the Royals such as.... finally came back to life as one, finally waking up, and I think well this is easy to make because we are fans, but then I think we aren't in the players position so its not as easy to understand the pressure these kids are under. They are human, they will have bad weeks of games, may not make our expectations live to be true, but remember its not that they intend to go out and not excel to the best of their abilities. A lot of their shortcomings are a result of fine basketball teams around the state in Catholic and Scott County(I name those two as they have defeated the Royals thus far). It amazes me how some loyal fans seem to forget that these talented bunch of kids on Mason County's squad will have a off night here and there before we come on this site and make statements about how how these kids finally put together a run in the 3rd quarter, how they finally come back in the second half, how it was hard to enjoy after a debacle from last night, how these kids finally wake up, how Miller finally dominated(he does in so many ways other than scoring) and yes D Miller is allowed to have a off night. This team will be fine and I think the staff at Mason County is doing a great job as well, this program is and always has been a first class program. Good luck the rest of the way!

Excellent post and so true!!!

Mason County will be fine and to those that wonder why they don't dominate game in and game out, there are intangiables that take place where this sort of thing doesn't come easy. It amazes me with what we expect and the comments are made when a bad game is played. The rankings, being #1 is nice for us to talk about but not so easy for the players. The kids are still kids and I don't care what team you play for with the amount of pressure that is put on kids today to excel is tremendous especially for big time programs. I read statements on some LOYAL fans of Mason County about the Royals such as.... finally came back to life as one, finally waking up, and I think well this is easy to make because we are fans, but then I think we aren't in the players position so its not as easy to understand the pressure these kids are under. They are human, they will have bad weeks of games, may not make our expectations live to be true, but remember its not that they intend to go out and not excel to the best of their abilities. A lot of their shortcomings are a result of fine basketball teams around the state in Catholic and Scott County(I name those two as they have defeated the Royals thus far). It amazes me how some loyal fans seem to forget that these talented bunch of kids on Mason County's squad will have a off night here and there before we come on this site and make statements about how how these kids finally put together a run in the 3rd quarter, how they finally come back in the second half, how it was hard to enjoy after a debacle from last night, how these kids finally wake up, how Miller finally dominated(he does in so many ways other than scoring) and yes D Miller is allowed to have a off night. This team will be fine and I think the staff at Mason County is doing a great job as well, this program is and always has been a first class program. Good luck the rest of the way!

 

 

Agree with some of your points, LOAD, and disagree with some.

 

I'm not one who wonders why the Royals don't dominate every game. With the competitive schedule Mason County has fielded this year, I figured on at least a handful of losses this year. Mason County's starting 5 is right there with anyone; depth, playing hard and playing smart are all critical to success.

 

I agree wholeheartedly that there is a lot of pressure - some internal and some external - that comes with being ranked first in the Commonwealth. I have always contended that other than for bragging rights (and to get an opponent fired up) it's immaterial who is ranked #1 in January.

 

Every player and every team are going to have games when they don't perform up to expectations. We certainly agree there. But when a team of Mason County's caliber misses 14 of 32 free throws - 8 consecutive at a critical part of the game - I don't think it's unfair to point it out. When the pre-emptive favorite for Mr. Basketball fouls out in the manner that he did; it's not unfair to point out that he played a sub-par game, and that with an already depleted bench, Miller's playing only 16 minutes didn't help the Royals' cause. In fact, after yet another spectacular assist, I mentioned to the fellow sitting next to me in the stands that Darius sees the floor extroardinarily well for a high-schooler (probably right before one of those fouls). I'm not one of those who thinks that he needs to score 30 each and every night to be effective. I am one of those who thinks that he needs to be on the floor more than half the game against the Scott Countys on the schedule.

 

So - if I say something along the lines of "Mason County was sleepwalking" or "it's nice to see the Royals wake up" - I stand by those statements. I don't feel the need to sugar-coat things. There is and never was anything wrong with a little constructive criticism and tough love. Hopefully the coaching staff won't just tell the players after a poor game "That's all right boys, everything will be all right - remember - we're Mason County; we're a big-time program". Hopefully they'll take advantage of every teachable moment they can. And while we're not blood brothers or anything like that, I am friendly enough with the MC coaches that I feel comfortable mentioning something along the lines of, "please foul when you're 3 points up with a few seconds to play" (cough cough LexCath cough).

 

Back to the game. Nana is right - Centennial looked a little confused when Mason County went to the zone in the 3rd quarter. They had very few guys capable of knocking down the three, and denying the slashers the opportunity to get to the basket had them on their heels. At one point the Royals had outscored Centennial something like 15-3 in the quarter. I was VERY encouraged to see Mason County come out and take control of the game after halftime.

 

Congratulations on the bounceback win, and we'll see you Tuesday night against Campbell County!

Congrats to the Royals and way to bounce back!!!

Agree with some of your points, LOAD, and disagree with some.

 

I'm not one who wonders why the Royals don't dominate every game. With the competitive schedule Mason County has fielded this year, I figured on at least a handful of losses this year. Mason County's starting 5 is right there with anyone; depth, playing hard and playing smart are all critical to success.

 

I agree wholeheartedly that there is a lot of pressure - some internal and some external - that comes with being ranked first in the Commonwealth. I have always contended that other than for bragging rights (and to get an opponent fired up) it's immaterial who is ranked #1 in January.

 

Every player and every team are going to have games when they don't perform up to expectations. We certainly agree there. But when a team of Mason County's caliber misses 14 of 32 free throws - 8 consecutive at a critical part of the game - I don't think it's unfair to point it out. When the pre-emptive favorite for Mr. Basketball fouls out in the manner that he did; it's not unfair to point out that he played a sub-par game, and that with an already depleted bench, Miller's playing only 16 minutes didn't help the Royals' cause. In fact, after yet another spectacular assist, I mentioned to the fellow sitting next to me in the stands that Darius sees the floor extroardinarily well for a high-schooler (probably right before one of those fouls). I'm not one of those who thinks that he needs to score 30 each and every night to be effective. I am one of those who thinks that he needs to be on the floor more than half the game against the Scott Countys on the schedule.

 

So - if I say something along the lines of "Mason County was sleepwalking" or "it's nice to see the Royals wake up" - I stand by those statements. I don't feel the need to sugar-coat things. There is and never was anything wrong with a little constructive criticism and tough love. Hopefully the coaching staff won't just tell the players after a poor game "That's all right boys, everything will be all right - remember - we're Mason County; we're a big-time program". Hopefully they'll take advantage of every teachable moment they can. And while we're not blood brothers or anything like that, I am friendly enough with the MC coaches that I feel comfortable mentioning something along the lines of, "please foul when you're 3 points up with a few seconds to play" (cough cough LexCath cough).

 

Back to the game. Nana is right - Centennial looked a little confused when Mason County went to the zone in the 3rd quarter. They had very few guys capable of knocking down the three, and denying the slashers the opportunity to get to the basket had them on their heels. At one point the Royals had outscored Centennial something like 15-3 in the quarter. I was VERY encouraged to see Mason County come out and take control of the game after halftime.

 

Congratulations on the bounceback win, and we'll see you Tuesday night against Campbell County!

 

Great post mcpapa.:thumb: I can always count on your posts to get a true view of what happend...you don't sugar coat, but do explain some areas that were a issue for that game, for those of us that did not see and hear the game.

 

Some delight in pointing out what other posters have posted, but in turn can do the same thing and it is OK. I have always respected your posts mcpapa...you are a true Royal and classy one at that.:thumb:

Agree with some of your points, LOAD, and disagree with some.

 

I'm not one who wonders why the Royals don't dominate every game. With the competitive schedule Mason County has fielded this year, I figured on at least a handful of losses this year. Mason County's starting 5 is right there with anyone; depth, playing hard and playing smart are all critical to success.

 

I agree wholeheartedly that there is a lot of pressure - some internal and some external - that comes with being ranked first in the Commonwealth. I have always contended that other than for bragging rights (and to get an opponent fired up) it's immaterial who is ranked #1 in January.

 

Every player and every team are going to have games when they don't perform up to expectations. We certainly agree there. But when a team of Mason County's caliber misses 14 of 32 free throws - 8 consecutive at a critical part of the game - I don't think it's unfair to point it out. When the pre-emptive favorite for Mr. Basketball fouls out in the manner that he did; it's not unfair to point out that he played a sub-par game, and that with an already depleted bench, Miller's playing only 16 minutes didn't help the Royals' cause. In fact, after yet another spectacular assist, I mentioned to the fellow sitting next to me in the stands that Darius sees the floor extroardinarily well for a high-schooler (probably right before one of those fouls). I'm not one of those who thinks that he needs to score 30 each and every night to be effective. I am one of those who thinks that he needs to be on the floor more than half the game against the Scott Countys on the schedule.

 

So - if I say something along the lines of "Mason County was sleepwalking" or "it's nice to see the Royals wake up" - I stand by those statements. I don't feel the need to sugar-coat things. There is and never was anything wrong with a little constructive criticism and tough love. Hopefully the coaching staff won't just tell the players after a poor game "That's all right boys, everything will be all right - remember - we're Mason County; we're a big-time program". Hopefully they'll take advantage of every teachable moment they can. And while we're not blood brothers or anything like that, I am friendly enough with the MC coaches that I feel comfortable mentioning something along the lines of, "please foul when you're 3 points up with a few seconds to play" (cough cough LexCath cough).

 

Back to the game. Nana is right - Centennial looked a little confused when Mason County went to the zone in the 3rd quarter. They had very few guys capable of knocking down the three, and denying the slashers the opportunity to get to the basket had them on their heels. At one point the Royals had outscored Centennial something like 15-3 in the quarter. I was VERY encouraged to see Mason County come out and take control of the game after halftime.

 

Congratulations on the bounceback win, and we'll see you Tuesday night

against Campbell County!

 

Every player and every team are going to have games when they don't perform up to expectations. We certainly agree there. But when a team of Mason County's caliber misses 14 of 32 free throws - 8 consecutive at a critical part of the game - I don't think it's unfair to point it out. When the pre-emptive favorite for Mr. Basketball fouls out in the manner that he did; it's not unfair to point out that he played a sub-par game, and that with an already depleted bench, Miller's playing only 16 minutes didn't help the Royals' cause.[/B]The calibar of team has nothing to do with missing free throws, those happen to top notch teams as well. If you have or had ever played the game then that is something that you just know. That is where I stand by what I say sometimes we take for granted some of the expectations that are placed on these kids.

 

And while we're not blood brothers or anything like that, I am friendly enough with the MC coaches that I feel comfortable mentioning something along the lines of, "please foul when you're 3 points up with a few seconds to play" (cough cough LexCath cough).[/B]

 

Another easy thing to point out by being the so called coach in the stands, which whether your a blood brother or just a fan, you can have the opinion but I feel quite sure I know what the staff response would be(cough cough, thanks for second guessing)...that is what the price of admission is for loyal one:eek:

Agree with some of your points, LOAD, and disagree with some.

 

I'm not one who wonders why the Royals don't dominate every game. With the competitive schedule Mason County has fielded this year, I figured on at least a handful of losses this year. Mason County's starting 5 is right there with anyone; depth, playing hard and playing smart are all critical to success.

 

I agree wholeheartedly that there is a lot of pressure - some internal and some external - that comes with being ranked first in the Commonwealth. I have always contended that other than for bragging rights (and to get an opponent fired up) it's immaterial who is ranked #1 in January.

 

Every player and every team are going to have games when they don't perform up to expectations. We certainly agree there. But when a team of Mason County's caliber misses 14 of 32 free throws - 8 consecutive at a critical part of the game - I don't think it's unfair to point it out. When the pre-emptive favorite for Mr. Basketball fouls out in the manner that he did; it's not unfair to point out that he played a sub-par game, and that with an already depleted bench, Miller's playing only 16 minutes didn't help the Royals' cause. In fact, after yet another spectacular assist, I mentioned to the fellow sitting next to me in the stands that Darius sees the floor extroardinarily well for a high-schooler (probably right before one of those fouls). I'm not one of those who thinks that he needs to score 30 each and every night to be effective. I am one of those who thinks that he needs to be on the floor more than half the game against the Scott Countys on the schedule.

 

So - if I say something along the lines of "Mason County was sleepwalking" or "it's nice to see the Royals wake up" - I stand by those statements. I don't feel the need to sugar-coat things. There is and never was anything wrong with a little constructive criticism and tough love. Hopefully the coaching staff won't just tell the players after a poor game "That's all right boys, everything will be all right - remember - we're Mason County; we're a big-time program". Hopefully they'll take advantage of every teachable moment they can. And while we're not blood brothers or anything like that, I am friendly enough with the MC coaches that I feel comfortable mentioning something along the lines of, "please foul when you're 3 points up with a few seconds to play" (cough cough LexCath cough).

 

Back to the game. Nana is right - Centennial looked a little confused when Mason County went to the zone in the 3rd quarter. They had very few guys capable of knocking down the three, and denying the slashers the opportunity to get to the basket had them on their heels. At one point the Royals had outscored Centennial something like 15-3 in the quarter. I was VERY encouraged to see Mason County come out and take control of the game after halftime.

 

Congratulations on the bounceback win, and we'll see you Tuesday night against Campbell County!

This too is a constructive post. I am certain the MC coaches had a lot to say about how the Royals played especially against Scott and Catholic. I also imagine the players had a chance to hear about it and see the action at the same time on film.

This is a very talented, hardworking group of young men. However, it does seem to me at times this teams seem to lack what is sometimes referred to as "mental toughness." Difficult to define but one aspect is to play hard every play regardless of score or opponent (this isnt as easy as it sounds) , being smart as well as aggressive, stepping up to make a play when going gets tough and maybe teammates are having a hard time. Lastly making sure the game is what it is a time to play hard and have fun. I am talking about intangibles here but much of sports performance is based on intangibles and the mental aspect of the game. just seems to me that although MC, the majority of time, has played mentail tough but there have been some breakdowns To get where this team can go need to eliminate the breakdowns. They were mentally tough against a very good Centennial team and came out victorious. Another test will be coming Friday with Catholic.

Go ROYALS!!!

If this team had a close game with Rose Hill(who has been beat on by KY teams this season), then this is no win to think Mason is back. A team that only scores 1 point in the second quarter, no matter what Class they are in,what state they are from or how big they are are not that good. They porbably wouldn't crack the top ten in this state. Mason and Miller need to show against the Knights this weekend for confidence.

 

That 1 point in the second quarter is a misprint in the Herald-Leader today. It was 11, the score at the half was 29-28 in favor of MC. This was a very good Centennial team, and Mason put it to them in the second half. To me, it is definitely a win to say they're back, but only in comparison to the night before against Scott County.

If this team had a close game with Rose Hill(who has been beat on by KY teams this season), then this is no win to think Mason is back. A team that only scores 1 point in the second quarter, no matter what Class they are in,what state they are from or how big they are are not that good. They porbably wouldn't crack the top ten in this state. Mason and Miller need to show against the Knights this weekend for confidence.

 

Were you even at the game?