King of Kings

On paper I see your argument, but this group of GRC players has yet to prove they can get over the hump of finally making it to Rupp Arena. Mason knows what it takes to get there and bring back players with the experience of actually being there. Other than maybe Stenzel, during his 8th grade year, I don't believe GRC has that overall experience. There will be great pressure, over the next two seasons, on this team to finally get it done. Do they have the talent to finish the job, yes. Only time will tell. Good luck to both teams this upcoming season. It should be a fun year.

Well then, the same thing can be said for 2007. GRC was the best team on that day... maybe not the best team, but the best team on that day... This game was also played in Maysville, go figure...

You still did not answer my question. I have lived in Mason County all of my life and understand your what you are stating in the above quote, but answer the question I asked before. Would you be arguing this if Mason was not a perennial favorite? Also, what school do you support?

I do not mind the tournament being rotated between Mason and Montgomery or any other 10th Region school that wants to build an adequate facility. My only problem was with the Bank of Kentucky Center. I felt the 10th Region was treated like nothing more than a weak opening act to the 9th Region main event.

So if Mason was not a perennial favorite, then you would be ok with The Fieldhouse as a 10th Region Tournament site?

If Clark wins at the Fieldhouse in March, then all of Winchester will say that the best team actually won the game. But if Mason somehow pulls the upset, then I am sure it will be the direct cause of the same old tired Home Court Advantage argument. Gotta love the passion and excitement for this rivalry. It could possibly be the most bitter rivalry in 10th Region History, next to the old Mason and Maysville battles. Maybe Vince McMahon or Don King could handle the marketing and promotion of this behemoth. :ylsuper:

Why is he transferring to Augusta? Is it related to sports, academics or change of address? One would think that this type of constant transferring would not be beneficial in the long term.

Is this the same Appelman kid that attended the Mason County School System a couple of years ago? If so, this would make his third school in as many years.

Notice that in my post I used the word opinion. You have yours and I have mine.

Let me set this straight by saying that I am a die hard Mason County fan but I am only stating my opinion for the upcoming season. I hope the Royals continue their 10th Region championship streak in 2010, but they may have too many holes to fill in their lineup. Losing Middleton, Downing, Hamm and Barner is going to really hurt this team for the upcoming year. Treg Setty and Neal Pawsatt are beasts, but I just don't know if they will have enough offensive weapons around them to make up for the scoring loss of Middleton or the defensive pressure of Downing.

GRC will be the heavy favorite in the 10th region next year. This team will be loaded talent wise and could easily make a state title run in 2010. Robbie Stenzel is the best player in the 10th region and in my opinion will win Mr. Basketball in 2010-2011. With that said, this team will go as far as Stenzel can take them over the course of the next two seasons. To win a state championship you need that one player who can take over a game and hold a team together. A great front court is nice to have, but guard play is the area that dominates KHSAA basketball. If GRC develops a servicable point guard and Stenzel keeps doing what he does best this team can bring another state title to the 10th region. I compare Robbie's importance to this team to that of Chris Lofton and Darius Miller to their respective State Championship teams. A Mr. Basketball candidate and a good supporting cast is usually a recipe for success in the state of Kentucky.

Please state your facts on Barner returning to Mason County. Is he playing summer ball with the Royals? As of two weeks ago, he had already moved back to Lexington. Several classmates including my cousin stated that he had moved and was upset about not completing his senior year at Mason County. My parents are friends of Coach O'Hearn's wife and she also confirmed this to be the case.

Is Phil Barner going to attend the Mason County school system this coming year? My cousin, a classmate and friend of Phil, says he has moved back to Lexington and will be attending Bryan Station High School for his senior year.

Please give your explanation as to why Treg does not belong in this particular thread. The kid could possibly be 6ft 9in or taller by the end of the 2009-2010 season. I can guarantee you he will also be a lot stronger.

I totally agree. Having the best in state talent attend UK helps keep the dream of being a Wildcat Alive for all future generations of Kentucky High School players. Mr. Basketball belongs in Blue and White.

St. Henry lost the game. Let it go.

It can also be said that Holmes narrowly defeated an upset minded Boone Co. in the 9th Region Championship game. If that happens, this topic is not even being discussed. The 2003 Ballard team had size, but that had little effect on Lofton and Company.

No way Pittman and R. Johnson are better this year than Miller as a Senior. Miller had greater basketball IQ and court awareness than either of these players. They may close the gap some by the time they are seniors, but they will never be as good.

It is way too early to tell how good either Mason or Clark is going to be in 2009-2010. Each team has major components to replace in their starting five. Can Mason find consistent replacements for the defensive skill and length of Middleton and Downing? Can Clark find scoring and ball handling replacements for Hatton and Williams? AAU and off season training will enable some of the younger kids to grow and develop for both squads. I think if Setty and Zollo continue to get stronger, then both of these teams will be evenly balanced over the next two years. Should be a lot of fun to watch for both fan bases. The 10th Region could possible have another State Champion out of either of these squads.

Holmes is well rested after easily taking care of LexCath. Elliott will exhaust every bit of heart they have left or come up little short on Saturday morning. Holmes should win this game by 10 to 15 points with the help of their overwhelming athleticism. I, for one, will be be cheering a great group of Elliott Kids to victory. This is exactly the reason why there is no Class system in KHSAA B-ball. Stories like this do not otherwise exist.

Mason fans are starting to get a little spoiled with the trips to Rupp Arena. As a Royal fan, I was kind of disappointed with the attendance from Maysville.

Anderson County had one of the largest crowds I have ever seen for an opening round Sweet Sixteen game. How often do you see the color red overtake the seats at Rupp Arena? The Elliott and Anderson Crowds combined were awesome to watch.

This is Elliott's time to shine and get the job done. Elliott County 82 Anderson County 70.

Have the 10th Region first and second All Region teams been announced yet?

Even the most conditioned team can suffer from fatigue. Mason County in 2004 was an extremely well conditioned basketball team, but three overtime periods in two days took a major toll on them during the finals against Warren Central. Let's hope Elliott doesn't run into this same type of situation. If so, believe me, they will get fatigued. I wish Elliott County plenty of Luck. If Mason is eliminated, I will be cheering for Elliott to take home the trophy. They are a scrappy bunch of young men who deserve a championship.:thumb: