EyesOnCourt

Great job!

Without seeing them play, I am gonna guess it's the coach. Am I right?

I honestly ask the question because I don't know. I haven't seen much of them other than a few games I've been able to get across the river for.

It's so unfortunate to watch this Mason County Team seem so unprepared for the big games. What's the difference? The starting 5 went to the final four as sophomores, and now aren't even playing an entire period of play together in their biggest games. Any ideas?

Scott has been playing well, with some very scrappy play of late. I think they are playing the best right now, but I still think that if the Mason Seniors start playing at the level they are able, no one in the region can stop them. But don't sleep on GRC either!

Closer than I expected... Mason gonna get bounced in Region again when they should've won last 2 years...

I would expect with the next week off they will use their time wisely to prepare for their hard end of the year into tournament play schedule... It's time for these seniors to show up!

Mason County seemed lost in the final couple of minutes. No one seemed to want the ball in their hands at the end of the game. Duvall for Bullitt East had no problem taking control at crunch time for her team. That was the difference in the game.

This seems to be far too common in Mason County games. There isn't a sense of game plan at all. A lot of individual play with no direction or cohesion. They never seem to have the right answer to better, or just as good, teams than them. Which will not be good come tournament time.

@sumoroyal you said that Carrollton was ranked 6th in their class, what class were they?

Sounds like the Lady Royals are reving up their engines. Congrats to O'Mara for All Tournament MVP and all tournament team. Congrats to McNutt for all tournament team honors. Congrats to the team for the tournament victory.

I'm not a Mason County person, so I have no dog in this fight. The Mason County folks I spoke with were very apologetic for the way a lot of things have been handled internally for a while. It's up to the superintendents, principals, and athletic directors of Augusta, Paris and Campbell to address this with the 10th Region Board. Suffice it to say I would imagine Julian Tackett and the KHSAA will at least peek at what is being tossed out there. If I were a fan of Paris, Campbell, Augusta, I would want Mason County banned from district and regional play at least next year. No excuses.

I hope all turns well in this this schools case. It seems to be a heavy conversation that shouldn't be drawn out on these forums.

Cheers to the Mason kids who played hard.

Also, Taylor really really impressed me. They'll be fun to watch.

I feel sorry for Campbell County, Paris, and Augusta. After hearing tonight from some of Mason County's own fans the backstory to the ongoing saga, the 10th Region should look to impose a postseason ban on the Royals next season. This game wasn't even interesting unless you were a Taylor County fan. Campbell, Paris, or Augusta should have been the 10th Region representative. Very sad situation.

So, before I continue typing on this thread, are you saying that Mason should be banned because of the schools conduct, or because of the player?

If it's the player, forget about it.

If it's the school you're talking about, might I suggest you write a strongly worded letter to the 10th region committee citing all evidence that you personally have obtained from the crowd at State Tournament.

When you look at the list, and compare 1st Team All Region players across board it doesn't add up. Also, it's very clear that defensive set players don't get the credit they deserve.

Player ranking should be how they make the team around them better, and lists like these don't have the ability to track the intangibles.

IMO to win, Mason will have to shoot 60%+ from the field, play even on the boards and not let TC get them in foul trouble...

If Mason comes out flat, TC by 15+ Freethrows

This program never ceases to amaze me. All I can say is discipline.

Not to belittle the effects that Wes(?) and Pig Williams would have for their teams... But, in response to the discipline of the Mason County Players and Program.... I'm pretty sure Chris Lofton, and Darius Miller both had pretty good discipline, and were both rewarded with district, region and state titles. And as someone who has spent most of their time in Western Kentcky, those are the names and reputations that hold true to Mason County across the state.

I do too. Is there a radio station to listen to it on?

Congrats Kylie!

Congrats to Whitney, and the rest of the Lady Royals on an incredible season.

After scares from Bracken and Bourbon, perhaps a "tweak" has occurred that will right the ship and all will be well with the Lady Royals.

What "tweak" would you like to see Opie?

Let me ask this...and I know I'll take a beating from the MC faithful, but it won't be the first time...or the last I'm sure.

 

Is it possible that last year's MC team just happened to get hot at the right time at the end of the year to get out of their region, got a great draw in the state tournament and made it to the final four.

 

AND NOW...the expectations for this team were set maybe just a little too high...based on their run last year?

 

I just keep hearing how they aren't playing well and only playing up to a certain percentage, etc. Maybe it's just that they aren't that much better than the teams they are playing or the teams they rolled earlier this year or last year have figured them out? Is that possible?

Agreed. I've seen this MC team over the past few years. They are talented, but I haven't seen many games in person being as I live in Jefferson County.

But, isn't tournament basketball all about "getting hot at the right time" and "getting a great draw" aren't those factors the same for any team put in that position besides MC?

It isn't the "hot streak" a team hits late season, or the "draw" of the tournament that fans talk about. It's the talent of exploiting such opportunities when they present themselves. Mason County had the opportunity to exploit those things last season, and proved they could do it.

Setting the bar at the final four standard this year regardless of tournament circumstance isn't too high of an expectation for them in my opinion.

Once again, these questions only come up because Kentucky had the greatest high school basketball tournament in the nation.

If Mason continues to play at 70% of their potential, it won't matter who they play. Tournament time in the bluegrass takes no prisoners.

Kentucky has the greatest high school basketball tournament in the nation. Just another game and story that proves it.

Exactly. Hopefully this young lady is not hanging her head. I'm sure she would have loved to hit those free throws, but as you stated, this is not even a game without her.

I agree. I made an earlier post in another forum saying "Yazell choked on the line" but never would I take away the game she had. Coach Cox on the radio said O'Mara "Went to war for the team" but I think it's safe to say that both Yazell and O'Mara went to war. All the ladies fought hard in a game that holds true to the statement below:

Kentucky has the greatest high school tournament basketball in the nation.

I was looking at that game. Only one I have to go on. Friday will have 2 great games!

Absolutely! I love tournament basketball in KY!

I'm going to give the go ahead to Campbell by 6. Home court and solid play.

If they play that way against Scott, and that smothering defense...will not be a good result for the Lady Royals.

"Smothering Defense" from Scott is questionable if you are looking at their game vs. Nicholas... They won 70-39 where as Mason won 66-12 in the regular season. I don't mean to negate they way Scott plays, but, given both score I'm sure both teams would "smother" Nicholas.

Like.

 

Mason plays like the last couple of games, they lose. They hit shots, they win. Pretty simple, really.

I'd be interested in seeing what the Lady Royals win % looks like when they shoot on their average game % from the field.

@sumoroyal can you help out here?