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Mason County Royals bring home their second state championship
Sunday, March 23, 2008 9:01 PM EDT Print this story | Email this story
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George Clooney and Renee Zellweger are due in town tonight, and Bill Clinton is coming to Maysville on Tuesday.

But on Sunday, the center of attention was a group of tall, gangly teenagers who proved themselves the best in Kentucky on the basketball court Saturday night.

The Mason County High School Royals brought home their second state championship Sunday, less than 18 hours after they conquered Covington Holmes, 57-48, in the championship game Saturday night at Lexington's Rupp Arena.

The players and coaches on the team bus were escorted by police cars and firetrucks Sunday and hustled into the Fieldhouse, where a small, but enthusiastic group of fans awaited.

Several hundred fans -- a number that no doubt was held down by Easter observances throughout Mason County -- greeted the Royals as they entered the Fieldhouse carrying the state championship trophy.

When he was introduced to the crowd, head coach Chris O'Hearn said, "The first thing I have to say is 'Welcome to our dream.'"


The Mason County Royals
The short ceremony was punctuated by frequent applause and by a series of standing ovations.

O'Hearn acknowledged the contributions made by the pep band, cheerleaders, managers, video coordinator, ball boys, scorekeeper and statistics man. He thanked the fans and assistant coaches, among others.

But his most heart-felt comments were about the players.

"They're going to remember this day and last night for the rest of their lives," said O'Hearn

Mason County guidance counselor Kent Moore served as master of ceremonies and introduced each player in a poetic tribute to the Royals. He pointed out to the crowd that there are 268 high school teams in Kentucky, "but only one champion."

It wasn't hard to figure out about whom he was talking. Most of the Royals wore T-shirts proclaiming "Kentucky State Champs."


The loudest ovation was for Darius Miller, the MVP of the state tournament and a University of Kentucky signee who is considered the leading candidate to be named Mr. Kentucky Basketball.

O'Hearn tried to explain what went on between the semifinal on Saturday morning and that night's final. Senior forward Trevor Setty, a key player for the Royals, was slapped with a technical foul during the semifinal victory over Shelby County, and O'Hearn was informed an hour before the championship game that Setty had been suspended. But before the game began, the Kentucky High School Athletic Association had reversed itself and allowed Setty to play. As O'Hearn described the roller-coaster emotions he felt Saturday, his voice cracked and he was unable to finish.

O'Hearn also acknowledged those who went before, including the 1947 Maysville High School state champs and the 2003 Mason County team coached by Kelly Wells, who won the Royals' first state title.

After the ceremony, players autographed copies of a team photo that had been distributed to the awaiting crowd.

The celebrity treatment is expected to continue tonight. O'Hearn revealed that Maysville Mayor David Cartmell had received a phone call from George Clooney's father, Nick Clooney.

"We're going to be invited to a special event," O'Hearn said, hinting that the special event is the world premiere of Clooney's latest movie, "Leatherheads," at the Washington Opera Theatre.

Reader Comments

Comments are limited to 200 words or less.

J. T. Parker wrote on Mar 24, 2008 8:55 PM:

" Congratulations from Los Angeles, California to the Mason County Royals on their State Championship.

Yes, we follow your success here on the West coast. "

MCHS Graduate wrote on Mar 24, 2008 8:40 PM:

" This one is for you bbking. I graduated from MCHS last year, and although I loved our basketball team and the events it brought to our small town I do not agree that the fieldhouse was such a good investment. If you haven't noticed, the rest of the school is so small it can barely hold all of the students, making most class sizes over 30. I think it's ridiculous how Mason Co. is more concerned with sports, especially basketball. It sickens me to know our school officials spent so much money on a gymnasium when our nurse's station sits out back in a run-down trailor. It kills me that all that money was thrown into a game while students are learning out of ratty text books. As a student, I felt that the school focused on all of the wrong things instead of focusing on education, especially when it came to the advanced students. I was enrolled in all AP classes and Honors courses, but we never recieved any recognition or encouragment. Sure, have pep rallies and field trips for the basketball team or the pass program, but when the most intelligent students in the school accomplish something forget all about it. Mason Co. needs to get its priorities straight, and start focusing on education rather than recreation. "

Charity wrote on Mar 24, 2008 1:41 PM:

" Great Job Royals!!!! "

True Blue Royal Fan wrote on Mar 24, 2008 12:49 PM:

" Congratulations to the Coaches, Team Members, Cheerleaders, Pep Band, and the Team's Families. This group of young men are great examples for the rest of Mason County's youth. They are polite, good sportsmen, and just a group of well rounded teen agers. We're proud to say we are from Mason County -- Home of the Royals!! "

Royal Fish wrote on Mar 24, 2008 10:31 AM:

" It all boils down to "outstanding coaching". That is how you explain the last 5 years for this power house ! "

Way to Go wrote on Mar 24, 2008 10:28 AM:

" Great job guys!! You certainly deserve this title...As the best team in the 10th region it is certainly evident that you work hard and really have a drive for success, much more than any other local team! "

bbking wrote on Mar 24, 2008 9:21 AM:

" Yea Royals!!! Let us pause to give thanks for those brave Mason County School Board members, lead by Supt. Hume, who worked so hard in the early 60's to build that wonderful Mason County Fieldhouse. They had the vision and followed through to build the biggest and the best. They were scorned for this vision by many a Mason County resident. But they never let up. Thanks to them our Mason County Royals are what they are today. I, for one, will always be grateful for their hard work. They were men who saw the future of how great MCHS could be. How many of you know their names??



"

Tim wrote on Mar 24, 2008 6:46 AM:

" Way To go Royals, you really did a good job, The whole community is really proud of The New State Champs. Go Big Blue! "

de wrote on Mar 23, 2008 10:57 PM:

" Congrats. You guys were the stars of the tournament and deserve the title of "Champions". Darius Miller proved in every game that he is deserving of the Mr. Basketball award. "

JLR wrote on Mar 23, 2008 10:18 PM:

" Coach Ohearn is a good example of what a great coach should be and is also a warm and loving person. It couldn`t have happen to a nicer guy! As always, JOB WELL DONE!!! "


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