Lady Royals will begin 50th season on December 1

The Mason County Lady Royals will tip off their 50th season of basketball on December 1.

The Kentucky High School Athletic Association eliminated girls' basketball as a sanctioned sport after the 1932 state tournament.

The KHSAA brought girls' basketball back in 1974 to comply with the Title IX federal law that ensures that male and female students be treated equally.

Coach Phyllis Mahan guided the Lady Royals to a 10-6 record that first season (1974-75). 

Mason County won the 1975 39th District Tournament and defeated Augusta in the quarterfinal round of the 10th Region Tournament before losing to Clark County in the semifinals. 

Paula Fay Buser, who will begin her second season in her second stint as Mason County's coach, was the Lady Royals' leading scorer (15.9 ppg) in the 1974-75 season which was her senior year.

Bob Hutchison began a 22-year run as Mason County's coach in 1975. He is Mason County's winningest coach with a 405-201 record and he guided the Lady Royals to 10th Region championships in 1976, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987.

The Lady Royals advanced to the state semifinals in 1976 and 1986.

Mason County did not return to the state tournament until 2015 when Coach Piper Lindsey's team advanced to the semifinals.

The Lady Royals' all-time record is 887-520 (70.9%). They have had 23 20-win seasons and have won 38 district championships and seven region championships.

De'Sarae Chambers Perry is Mason County's all-time leading scorer with 2,967 career points.

Hutch plaque unveiled

Mason County High School recognized legendary girls' basketball coach Bob "Hutch" Hutchison at halftime of the Mason County vs. Campbell County game Saturday afternoon.

A plaque that will be placed in the lobby of The Fieldhouse was unveiled.

Friday news and notes

Here are a few news and notes for a cold Friday:

• Darius Miller tied his career high with 21 points in the New Orleans Pelicans' 122-116 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder last night. Miller started and hit five three-pointers. He had seven rebounds and two assists.

• The Mason County Lady Royals will recognize legendary coach Bob "Hutch" Hutchison Saturday when they host the Campbell County Lady Camels at The Fieldhouse. Hutchison compiled a 405-201 record in 22 seasons as Mason County's coach. He guided the Lady Royals to 19 39th District titles and six 10th Region championships. The recognition ceremony will be held at halftime of the varsity game which begins at 2:30 p.m. 

• The Jackson City at St. Patrick girls' game Saturday night is cancelled due to illness in the Jackson City schools.

• The draws for first round pairings in the 2019 Whitaker Bank/KHSAA Sweet 16 and the 2019 KHSAA Girls' Sweet 16 will take place Monday at 1 p.m. on the Sweet 16 Draw Show. You can watch the show online at KHSAA.tv and WKYT.com 

• The draw for the 39th District tournaments is scheduled Wednesday, January 30th at noon in the Mason County High School library.

Mason County will honor Hutch on January 26

Mason County Schools will honor former girls' basketball coach Bob "Hutch" Hutchison on January 26th when the Lady Royals host the Campbell County Lady Camels.

Hutch compiled a 405-201 record in 22 seasons as Mason County's head coach.

He guided the Lady Royals to 19 39th District titles and six 10th Region championships.

Two of Hutch's teams advanced to the semifinals of the state tournament.

Coach Hutchison will be recognized at halftime of the varsity game on January 26th which is scheduled to tip off at 2:30.