As someone that bashed Darius Miller after his lackluster performance against Scott County, I am glad I only saw the 4th quarter of the game on TV. From the sounds of it, Miller was not very good until the 4th. But, in the 4th, he was very special, getting to the rim whenever he wanted. Catholic couldn't do anything with him in the 4th and looked pathetic defensively on the last possession (of course, players like Miller can make defenses look pathetic at times). I have to say, though, despite what he did offensively in the 4th, I was more impressed with his defense and the confidence his play gave his teammates.

 

Having said all that, Setty hit the biggest 2 shots of the game with those back to back 3's.

 

Having watched in person Mason vs. Scott and Scott vs. Bryan Station in back to back weeks, then seeing the last quarter of Mason-Catholic on TV, the biggest shame is the fact that only 2 of these teams can make it to Rupp Arena. This is not trying to take anything away from any other team in the state, but that foursome would make a heck of a Saturday morning session at Rupp.

GREAT 4th quarter!!!!!!!!

Middleton carried the Royals early. Critical part of the game was the Royals being able to stay within shouting distance during the second quarter with Miller in foul trouble.

 

Catholic goes on something like a 17-2 run to go up 60-50; a bad stretch for Mason County. Then Setty hit the big threes, one from each corner, seemed to give MC a spark. The horrible OB call on the timeout and the phantom foul on Downing almost cost Mason County, but there were a couple of others that went the Royals' way; it's just that those two calls were magnified by virtue of being so late in a tight game. Big time play by Darius at the end (several, actually); as has already been said, that's what you want from your go-to guy. Another pretty solid game from Ethan King again; one of the Royals that doesn't get a lot of press but has been really steady all year.

 

Seems like every LC-MC game is a barn-burner. Stewart had a huge game for the Knights; he got 2 or 3 easy baskets in transition after Mason County misses. #1 hit a couple of big threes as well.

 

Great atmosphere at Memorial tonight. Congrats to both teams for a great effort. Seems like every Knights-Royals game is like this!

Watching on DVR right now, classic game! Congratz to Mason!

Great game. One of the best games this year.

Here are the scoring stats:

 

Mason County 21 14 15 24 -- 74

 

Lexington Catholic 20 15 23 15 -- 73

 

MC: Setty 9 1-2 25, Miller 6 6-8 18, Middleton 3 5-6 14, King 4 3-4 11, Downing 1 0-0 2, Tolle 2 0-1 4. Totals 25 15-22 74.

 

LC: Stewart 8 9-13 25, Sanford 7 2-2 18, Novosel 3 5-6 11, Botkin 2 1-2 5, Smart 1 1-2 4, Tribble 2 0-0 6, Corvin 0 2-3 2, Hicks 1 0-0 2. Totals 24 20-29 73.

 

Three-pointers: MC 9 (Setty 6, Middleton 3), LC 5 (Samford 2, Tribble 2, Smart).

I feel after watching this game that Darius Miller is a potentially great talent, but is not a great player at this point of his development.

 

He needs to play with more focus, but we all can see that the talent is there. I have always enjoyed watching Mason County basketball. It has to be the best basketball town in Kentucky!

Darius did his thing when Novosel had four fouls, prior to that he wasn't much of a factor. Vee Sanford's cramps kept him from being much of a factor at the end. There was a tieup between Novosel and Darius that was Darius' fifth foul but not called. Some of you make it sound like LexCath got all the calls. Enjoy the win and quit crying about the officiating. There are always issues when two evenly matched teams play. Good luck against Bryan Station everyone.

Darius did his thing when Novosel had four fouls, prior to that he wasn't much of a factor. Vee Sanford's cramps kept him from being much of a factor at the end. There was a tieup between Novosel and Darius that was Darius' fifth foul but not called. Some of you make it sound like LexCath got all the calls. Enjoy the win and quit crying about the officiating. There are always issues when two evenly matched teams play. Good luck against Bryan Station everyone.

 

Mason County has already had good luck against Bryan Station.:thumb:

 

As I tried to say earlier, Lexington Catholic didn't get all the calls; they just got all the LATE calls.

 

Again, a super game between two fine programs!

Way to go Royals. Without a doubt, the best team in the state.:thumb:

 

Then where would that put Scott County?

 

better yet, where would that put Bryan Station?

Then where would that put Scott County?

 

better yet, where would that put Bryan Station?

 

Mason Co. has beaten Bryan Station, Bryan Station has been Scott Co., Scott Co. has beaten Mason Co.

 

So we're pretty much all evened out there, aren't we?

Mason beats Station, Catholic beats Mason, Scott beats Mason, Station beats Scott, Mason beats Catholic.

 

Any given night...

 

Sportsfan, you got there just a little bit ahead of me.

Mason beats Station, Catholic beats Mason, Scott beats Mason, Station beats Scott, Mason beats Catholic.

 

Any given night...

 

Sportsfan, you got there just a little bit ahead of me.

 

Haha.. great minds think alike :thumb:

I really enjoyed this game. Congrats to Mason Co on a huge win.:thumb: Setty kept Mason Co in the game, what a player, I love this kid. I was really impressed with his play. Also enjoyed watching the Freshman Pawsat? play. Going to be a good one.

The dunk by Stewart was the play of the game on Ch 27....awesome. With Vee Sanford having to battle the cramps really hurt Catholic. He is the one that shot the 3 that beat MC earlier. This was the turning point of the game....not all the missed calls for Catholic. The turning point of the game for Mason Co was the great plays by Miller in the 4th.

Both teams got calls made against them, and for them. Either way these teams left it all out on the floor tonight in a well played ball game by both teams. Maybe we should just do away with the officals and play call your own fouls....