Royals rally to win 10th Region title 51-43 over Clark County

The Mason County Royals rallied from a 12-point third quarter deficit to beat the Clark County Cardinals 51-43 in the championship game of the 10th Region Tournament tonight at The Bank of Kentucky Center. Clark County used a 15-0 run to build a 12 point lead in the first half. Mason County got to within nine at the end of the half. Robbie Stenzel hit a three-pointer to start the third quarter to put the Cardinals up 27-15. The Royals started the comeback with a 8-0 run. Clark County's lead was down to one at the end of the third quarter, Jordan Gilbert hit a three-pointer to put Mason County ahead 41-39 with 3:03 left in the game. The Royals then outscored the Cardinals 10-4 the rest of the way. Russ Middleton and Neal Pawsat led Mason County in scoring with 13 points apiece. Stenzel ended up with 13 points for Clark County, but was scoreless in the fourth quarter. Mason County will play 15th Region champion Shelby Valley in the opening game of th National City/KHSAA Sweet 16 Thursday, March 19 at 6:30 p.m. at Rupp Arena.

MC FG 36.4% 3 PT FG 23.5% FT 62.5% REB 33 TO 10

CC FG 32.% 3 PT FG 40% FT 64.7% REB 34 TO 14

MC (24-6) Middleton 13, Downing 8, Barner 4, Pawsat 13, Setty 4, Gilbert 5, J. Lang 4

CC (25-7) Williams 2, Hatton 11, Stenzel 13, Rogers 7, Zollo 10

MC 06 15 19 17-51

CC 12 12 11 08-43

Notes: Mason County has won the 10th Region title 13 times. The Royals tied Maysville with 71victories in 10th Region tournament play.