Royals win Beechwood Invitational

The Mason County Royals, playing in their eighth tournament in the first 11 days of the golf season, captured their first win on Thursday in the Beechwood Invitational at Hickory Sticks Golf Course.

All five Royals shot in the 70s and Mason County had a team score of 286. Four scores are used for the team total.

Jaxen Crabtree and Noah Gardner each shot a 1-under 70 and tied for fourth place. Cole Owens shot an even par 71 to tie for eighth place and Lennox Hughes and Slate Brammer each shot a 75.

Mason County's next tournament is the Ashland Invitational on Monday at Bellefonte Country Club.

Surveys say no shot clock for basketball and no pickleball or girls' flag football for Kentucky schools

Surveys conducted by the Kentucky High School Athletic Association show the vast majority of schools do not want a shot clock for basketball and are not in favor of offering pickleball or girls' flag football.

Of the 252 schools responding to the shot clock survey, 150 or 59.52% are not in favor of adding shot clock in basketball. 

Beginning with the 2022-23 season, the National Federation of High School Associations has allowed states to adopt a shot clock on a state-by-state basis. 

The pickeball survey received 254 replies, and 152 or 59.84% were not interested in adding the sport.

There was even less support for girls' flag football as 166 schools or 65.35% of the 254 respondents said they were not interested in adding the sport which will be sanctioned in Ohio beginning next spring.

Nearly 35% of the schools said they would enter a team in girls' flag football in the near future if offered by the KHSAA—15.75% in the 2026-27 season, 9.06% in the 2027-28 season and 9.84% in the 2028-29 season.

Royals shoot 296, T5 in Kentucky Cup

The Mason County Royals had a team score of 296 and tied for fifth place in the Kentucky Cup on the Big Blue course at University Club in Lexington on Wednesday.

The top four teams—Madison Central (284), St. Xavier (286), Trinity (288) and Ryle (294) advanced to match play on Thursday,

Noah Gardner led the Royals with a 1-under 71 and tied for ninth place. Jaxen Crabtree tied for 15th place with an even par 72. Cole Owens shot a 76 and Lennox Hughes added a 77 to the team score. Slate Brammer shot an 89.

Former Royal Jake Feldhaus shot an even par 72 for Madison Central.

The Royals will travel up the "AA" Highway to Hickory Sticks Golf Club on Thursday for the Beechwood Invitational.

This team continues to improve and use the lessons learned to get better.

Mason County got the closest they ever been to getting to match play for the KY Cup. Missed cut by 2 strokes.

HUGE success today and ready to build upon this for future tournaments!

Gardner with a T9 pic.twitter.com/T4AiTuOUaQ

— Mason Co Boys Golf (@RoyalsBoysGolf) July 30, 2025

Royals shot a 319 in the Charger Cup

The Mason County Royals shot a 319 on Tuesday in the Charger Cup hosted by Bullitt East at Heritage Hills Golf Club in Shepherdsville.

Cole Owens led the Royals with a 78. Noah Gardner carded a 79. Jaxen Crabtree and Lennox Hughes shot 81s and Slate Brammer shot an 88.

Mason County will be back in action on Wednesday in the Kentucky Cup on the Big Blue course at University Club in Lexington.

Jake Feldhaus verbally commits to Belmont University

Madison Central rising senior Jake Feldhaus has verbally committed to Belmont University in Nashville.

Feldhaus shot 55.2% from the field while averaging 22 points and 11.3 rebounds a game for the Indians last season after transferring from Mason County.

Feldhaus is also one of the top high school golfers in the state. He tied for 11th in the state tournament last fall while helping Madison Central win the state championship.

Championship flight of Kenton Station/Fleming County Two-Man Scramble ends in a tie

With rain falling Sunday evening, the championship flight of the Kenton Station/Fleming County Golf Association Two-Man Scramble ended in a tie between the teams of Eric Schumacher and Evan Schumacher, and Tony Hughes and Patrick England.

Those two teams began the final round tied after shooting 12-under 58s on Saturday at Kenton Station. The father and son Schumacher team had a two-shot lead at the turn on Sunday after shooting a 31 on the front nine at Fleming County. They also shot a 31 on the back nine while Hughes and England rallied with a 29 for a 36-hole total of 22-under 120.

Jordan Hughes and Elijah McCarty finished third at 21-under 121.

The other flight winners include:

First Flight

Jordan McCann and AJ Hamilton 128

Second Flight

Willie McKay and Gerald McKay 131

Third Flight

Chandler Clark and Isaac Sweet 135

Fourth Flight

T1 Jeff Teegarden/Muse 139

T1 Corbin Marshall and Darrell Warner 139

Royals win 2A Section 6 Championship and take third place in Eagle Trace Invitational

The Mason County Royals shot a 304 on Saturday at Eagle Trace Golf Course and won the Kentucky 2A Section 6 Championship while finishing third in the Eagle Trace Invitational.

Noah Gardner led the Royals with an even par 72. Cole Owens shot a 75 followed by Jaxen Crabtree (77), Lennox Hughes (80) and Slate Brammer (89). The top four scores are used for the team total. 

The Kentucky 2A Championships state tournament is scheduled on September 8 at Owensboro Country Club.

The Royals will host the Mason County/St. Patrick Invitational on Sunday at Hilltop Golf Course.

Your Royals are back on top. We are headed back to Owensboro after winning by 1 for the 2A Section 6 Qualifier.

Mason County also finished 3rd within the tournament.

Gardner with a 72 even par finish.

Home Tournament at Hilltop Golf Course tomorrow pic.twitter.com/byG5EvUdAI

— Mason Co Boys Golf (@RoyalsBoysGolf) July 26, 2025

Royals head to MSU today for 7-on-7s

The Mason County Royals football will compete in 7-on-7s at Morehead State University today beginning at 11 a.m.

7-on-7 is a fast-paced, non-contact, passing scrimmage with seven players on the field for each team.

The Royals will open the season on August 22 vs. the Bracken County Polar Bears in Brooksville.

Royals shot a 320 at East Carter Invitational

The Mason County Royals shot a team score of 320 in the heat and humidity on Friday at the East Carter Invitational at Hidden Cove Golf Course.

There were two heat delays before Lexington Christian Academy won the tournament with a score of 299. 

Mason County was led by Jaxen Crabtree with a 77. Noah Gardner followed with a 79. Lennox Hughes added an 82 and Cole Owens and Slate Brammer each shot an 83.

The Royals will travel to Eagle Trace Golf Course in Morehead on Saturday for Kentucky 2A Championships qualifer.

It was a hot one out there. Two heat delays but the boys battled through it against a tough field.

Stepping stones of improvements leads to where we want to be at postseason!

Back at it tomorrow at Eagle Trace for the 2A Qualifier. pic.twitter.com/1ZdjvCdgsN

— Mason Co Boys Golf (@RoyalsBoysGolf) July 25, 2025

Royals T3 in Scottie Open, take second place in South Central Kentucky Cup

With a score of  311, the Mason County Royals tied for third place in the Scottie Open at Willow Oaks Golf Club in Glasgow on Tuesday.

Cole Owens shot a 1-over 73 to tie for third place. Noah Gardner shot a 77 and tied for 17th place. Lennox Hughes tied for 20th place with a 78. Jaxen Crabtree shot an 83 and Slate Brammer shot an 86. 

The Royals finished second in the South Central Kentucky Cup with a two-day total of 620.

Mason County will be back in action on Friday in the East Carter Invitational at Hidden Cove.

Royals finish 2nd overall in the South Central Kentucky Cup! Played great for a two day total of 620.

Royals get 3rd in the Scottie’s Cup losing second by 1 stroke.

Owens gets a Top 3 victory

Next Up… Friday at Hidden Cove pic.twitter.com/GzWhSCgsk0

— Mason Co Boys Golf (@RoyalsBoysGolf) July 22, 2025

Royals open the golf season with a third-place finish at the Trojan Cup

The Mason County Royals opened the 2025 golf season with a third-place finish at the Trojan Cup at Willow Oaks Golf Club in Glasgow.

The Royals had a team score of 309, one shot behind Taylor County and Franklin-Simpson.

Jaxen Crabtree led the Royals with a 4-over 75 to tie for fifth place. Noah Gardner tied for 10th place with a 77. Slate Brammer tied for 14th place by carding a 78. Cole Owens and Lennox Hughes with 79s tied for 18th place. 

The Royals will play in the Scottie Cup on Tuesday at Willow Oaks Golf Club.

Tough and long day today.

90 minute rain delayed led to missing first place by 1 stroke. Royals with a 3rd place finish.

Top 5 all finished in the 70s and in the Top 18 of the tournament. Big things are coming this season!

Crabtree - T5
Gardner - T10

Back at it tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/RztoKZcnkw

— Mason Co Boys Golf (@RoyalsBoysGolf) July 21, 2025

Team USA Men's 3x3 basketball team wins the silver medal, Owens Crawford on the coaching staff

The Team USA Men's 3x3 basketball squad won the silver medal at the 2025 FISU World University Games in Germany on Sunday.

Mason County Royals assistant basketball coach Owens Crawford was an assistant coach and statistician for the men's team.

Team USA lost to Lithuania 21-16 in the Gold Medal Game after beating Poland 21-14 in the quarterfinals on Saturday and edging Czechia 19-17 in the semifinals on Sunday.

Mason County Royals' top five golfers announced after qualifying rounds

The Mason County Royals' top five qolfers for the 2025 season, determined by qualifying rounds this week, were announced on Friday.

The top five are seniors: No. 1 Jaxen Crabtree, No. 2 Cole Owens, No. 3 Noah Gardner, No. 4 Lennox Hughes and No. 5 Slate Brammer.

Those five will compete in the tournaments, with the four best scores used for the team score.

The Royals will open the season on Monday in the Trojan Cup at Willow Oaks in Glasgow. 

Your Top 5 have been established

1) Jaxen Crabtree (SR)
2) Cole Owens (SR)
3) Noah Gardner (SR)
4) Lennox Hughes (SR)
5) Slate Brammer (SR)

Team Average at 305 pic.twitter.com/8mfFOu8vzG

— Mason Co Boys Golf (@RoyalsBoysGolf) July 19, 2025

Travis Yazell named head coach of Mason County track and field teams

Mason County assistant track and field coach Travis Yazell has been promoted to head coach.

Yazell succeeds Mark Kachler who resigned last month after serving as the head coach since 2004.

Yazell joined the Mason County coaching staff last season after serving as the head coach at Nicholas County for several seasons.

In an email to the parents, Kachler wrote that he assisted in the search for the new coach, and he plans to remain in a "mentorship role" to Coach Yazell.

🚨 MCHS Athletics is excited to welcome Travis Yazell as the new Head Track Coach! 🏃‍♂️💨

Travis coached track at Nicholas Co. before joining us last year as assistant under Coach Kachler. We’re ready to continue our winning tradition with Coach Yazell leading the way! #GoRoyals pic.twitter.com/DI8PPGHOZm

— Mason Co. Athletics (@RoyalsAth1etics) July 17, 2025

Royals will open the football season August 22 at Bracken County

The Mason County Royals will open the football season on August 22 at Bracken County. It will be the first meeting between the Royals and Polar Bears.

Mason County's home opener will be on August 29 vs. the Montgomery County Indians.

Here is the complete schedule:

August 22 Bracken County Away

August 29 Montgomery County Home

September 5 Fleming County Home

September 12 Boyd County Home

September 19 Boone County Away

September 26 Bye Week

October 3 Lawrence County Away

October 10 Harrison County Away

October 17 Highlands Home

October 24 Covington Catholic Home

October 31 Newport Central Catholic Away

Fite and Sims win Laurel Oaks 2-Day Scramble for second straight year

Sarah Fite and Sophia Sims are back-to-back champions of the Laurel Oaks Ladies 2-Day Scramble.

Fite and Sims were one shot off the lead after shooting a 6-under par 66 on Saturday. They shot another 66 on Sunday for a 36-hole total of 12-under 132.

Libby Moses and Kathy Neuman finished second at 10 under. The teams of Cynthia Rhorer and Kristen Lottman, and Samantha Schumacher and Macey Littleton tied for third place at 7 under.

It's the fourth straight year Fite has been on the winning team in the scramble. She teamed up with Jordan Frodge for back-to-back wins in 2022 and 2023.

Other flight winners include:

First Flight

Mo Kroness and Jenny Braillier 144

Second Flight

Kelly McHugh and Tammy Crouch 149

Third Flight

T1 Susan Candiotti and Kathy Schenk 164

T1 Jayne Lickert and Bev Breitenstein 164

Tryouts for Mason County Lady Royals golf team are set for Wednesday

Tryouts for the Mason County Lady Royals varsity golf team will take place on Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Laurel Oaks Golf Course.

The tryouts are open to girls in grades 7-12.

You need to have an updated physical, golf clubs, golf balls and tees.

Fleming County/Kenton Station Two-Man Scramble set for July 26-27

The Fleming County Golf Association/Kenton Station Golf Course Two-Man Scramble is set for July 26-27.

The first round will be played at Kenton Station on July 26 and the second round will take place at Fleming County on July 27.

Shotgun tee times are 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

The entry fee is $90 per golfer for members and $110 per golfer for non-members.

At least one golfer per team must be a member of one the courses.

Bryan Walton and Trey Cracraft won last year's scramble.

NFHS approves rules changes for softball and track and field

The National Federation of State High School Associations has approved rules changes for softball and track and field for the 2025-2026 school year. 

Here are the links to the press releases:

Softball

Track and field

Mason County Royals golf schedule

The Mason County Royals golf team will open the season on July 21 in the Trojan Cup hosted by the Barren County boys' golf team at Willow Oaks Golf Club in Glasgow.

Here is the rest of the schedule:

July 22 Scotties Cup at Willows Oaks in Glasgow

July 25 East Carter Invitational at Hidden Cove in Olive Hill

July 26 Eagle Trace Invitational at Eagle Trace in Morehead

July 27 Mason County/St. Patrick Invitational at Oak Ridge

July 29 Chargers Open at Heritage Hills in Shepherdsville

July 30 Kentucky Cup at UK Club in Lexington

July 31 Beechwood Invitational at Hickory Sticks in California

August 4 Ashland Invitational at Bellefonte in Ashland

August 6 Mason County Open at Laurel Oaks

August 9 Pikeville Invitational at Stonecrest in Prestonsburg

August 11 Bronco Invitational at Kearney Hill in Lexington

August 16 Paintsville Invitational at Paintsville Country Club

August 23 Region 12 Preview at Laurel Oaks

August 24 Harrison County Invitational at Houston Oaks in Paris

September 1 5-Star Invitational at Picadome in Lexington

September 6 Bowling Green Invitational at Bowling Green Country Club

September 8 2A State Championship at Owensboro Country Club

September 14 Kentucky Shootout at Henry County Country Club in New Castle

September 14-15 All-State Championship at UK Club in Lexington

September 23 Region Tournament at Laurel Oaks

September 30 State First Round at Winchester Country Club

October 9-11 State Championship at Bowling Green Country Club

KHSAA Dead Period over, fall sports dates

Wednesday was the last day of the KHSAA Dead Period. Here are the key dates for fall sports:

July 10 Helmets-only football practice

July 15 First practice for golf, soccer, volleyball, cross country and competitive cheer

July 22 Helmet and shoulder pads football practice and first golf match 

August 1 Full gear football practice

August 8 First soccer match

August 4 First football full contact scrimmage

August 15 First cross country meet and first volleyball match

August 19 First football game

Double first base required in high school baseball next season

High school baseball fields will be required to have a double first base beginning next season.

The new rule, one of 10 announced by the National Federation of High School Associations, is designed to reduce the number of collisions between base-runners and fielders.

Here is a link to the press release.

Lex Turner will be the head coach of the St. Patrick Saints next season

Lex Turner will be the head coach of the St. Patrick boys' basketball team next season after serving with Chris Bauer as interim coach during the latter part of the 2024-25 season.

Turner was the Saints' head coach for twenty-eight seasons before retiring in 2004. His teams won 365 games, two district championships and two All "A" 10th Region championships.

Tony Moore had been the Saints' head coach since the 2020-21 season but was unable to coach last season due to health issues.

St. Patrick athletic director Angie Brant said "it was in the best interest of the program to move in a new direction."

Turner coached the Saints in summer basketball last month.

Moore has joined the Terry King's coaching staff at Bracken County. He says he will be the head coach of the freshman team.

Nathan Kerns wins 58th Firecracker

Former Marshall University golfer and 2012 Ohio Amateur champion Nathan Kerns of Ironton, Ohio matched his opening round 8-under par 62 on Saturday with another 62 on Sunday to win the 58th Firecracker tournament at Kenton Station Golf Course at 16-under 124.

Kern, who began the day one shot off the lead, shot a 31 on the front nine and a 31 on the back nine on Sunday.

First round leader and three-time champion BJ Knox shot a 67 on Sunday and finished second at 12-under 128.

Matt Malott and Elijah McCarty tied for third place at 9-under 131.

Other flight winners include:

First Flight

Deron Feldhaus 132

Second Flight

Bryan Walton 138

Third Flight

Tyler Sallee 139

Fourth Flight

T1 Chad Raines 151

T1 Brandon Cox 151

Fifth Flight 

Dave Shively 158

Championship Flight Scores

Nate Kerns 62-62 124

BJ Knox 61-67 128

Elijah McCarty 67-64 131

Matt Malott 64-67 131

Matt Logan 67-66 133

Patrick England 66-67 133

Troy Grooms 65-68 133

Rick Harmon 64-69 133

Randy Ross 67-69 136

Eric Schumacher 67-69 136

Johnny Evans 67-70 137

Rex Schalch 66-73 139

Amirah Reed and her AAU teammates win the gold medal at Midwest Showcase

Mason County rising senior Amirah Reed and her Cincy Swish Chialastri teammates won the gold medal at the 5th Annual Midwest Showcase on Sunday at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio.

After going 2-0 in pool play on Saturday, Cincy Swish Chialastri beat Cincy Chargers Mahoney 61-53 in the semifinals on Sunday morning and defeated TNBA Cleveland Select 48-37 in the championship game on Sunday afternoon.

@reedamirah4 and @CincySwishBlue brought home some GOLD from the 5th Annual Midwest show case @CapitalWBB this weekend they played amazing! Congratsgirls. @DannyEWeddle pic.twitter.com/jYedMUDOEH

— Kathryn Reed (@Krer21) July 6, 2025

BJ Knox has a one-shot lead after the first round of the 58th Firecracker

Three-time champion BJ Knox has a one-shot lead after the first round of the 58th Firecracker tournament at Kenton Station Golf Course.

Knox, who had a three-peat from 2019-2021, shot a 9-under par 61 on Saturday.

Nate Kerns is in solo second place after shooting a 62.

Matt Malott and Rick Harmon are tied for third at 6-under 64.

Troy Grooms shot a 65. Patrick England and Rex Schalch each shot a 66.

A group of five golfers rounds out the championship flight with 3-under 67s: two-time champion Eric Schumacher, Randy Ross, Johnny Evans, Matt Logan and 2023 champion Elijah McCarty.

The final round will be played on Sunday.

Dashawn Overly wins the KC's Joe Donovan Memorial River Run

Dashawn Overly won the Knights of Columbus Joe Donovan Memorial River Run for the second straight year on Friday morning in downtown Maysville.

Overly completed the 5K run in 16:40.

Morgan Carpenter was the top female finisher with a time of 24:29.

Ninety-five golfers signed up for the 58th Firecracker

Ninety-five golfers will play in the 58th Firecracker, a 36-hole stroke play tournament, at Kenton Station Golf Course this weekend.

The field will be placed into flights based on Saturday's first round scores. The final round will be played on Sunday.

The shootout is on Friday at 6 p.m.

Here is a list of the past Firecracker champions:

1968 Earl Boles

1969 Joe Traxel

1970 Steve Poynter

1971 Ray Litteral

1972 Ross Smith

1973 Gerald Dixon

1974 Ross Smith

1975 Jim Rollins

1976 Jay Spiller

1977 Ross Smith

1978 Ross Smith

1979 Ron Henson

1980 Jim Klapper

1981 Gerald Dixon

1982 Mort Bertman 

1983 Robert Walton

1984 Gerald Dixon

1985 Jim Caudill

1986 Jim Klapper

1987 Jim Klapper

1988 Mike Fields

1989 Mike Fields

1990 Willie Feldhaus

1991 Steve Grayson

1992 Steve Grayson

1993 Russ Coleman

1994 Rick Hensley

1995 Steve Grayson

1996 Harold Wallace 

1997 Rick Hensley

1998 Russ Coleman

1999 Deron Feldhaus

2000 Eric Schumacher

2001 Rick Hensley

2002 Deron Feldhaus

2003 Robert Walton

2004 Tim Ailes

2005 Harold Wallace

2006 Deron Feldhaus

2007 Troy Grooms

2008 Shawn Armstrong

2009 Shawn Armstrong

2010 Shawn Armstrong

2011 John Kelly

2012 Eric Schumacher

2013 Bobby Kearney

2014 Troy Grooms

2015 Deron Feldhaus

2016 Deron Feldhaus

2017 Deron Feldhaus

2018 Deron Feldhaus

2019 BJ Knox

2020 BJ Knox

2021 BJ Knox

2022 Tyler Lippert

2023 Elijah McCarty

2024 Corey Richmond

Dylan Whitehead promoted to head coach of the women's soccer team at IU East

Former Mason County Royal Dylan Whitehead has been promoted to head coach of the women's soccer team at Indiana East University in Richmond, Indiana.

Whitehead has been an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at IU East since 2023.

Here is a link to the news release.

New soccer coaches announced at St. Patrick

The girls' and boys' soccer teams at St. Patrick High School have new head coaches.

Javier Cardenas is the Lady Saints' new coach, while A.J. Walters will be at the helm for the Saints.

The new coaches succeed Father Michael Black who started a new assignment in Northern Kentucky on Tuesday.