New look Royals lose at Paris

In their first game following the dismissals of senior starters Jayden Stewart and Caleb Boyd, the Mason County Royals lost to the Paris Greyhounds 56-49 tonight at Paris.

The Royals also were without junior point guard Jaylen Lofton who missed his third straight game.

Paris jumped out to a 9-0 lead and was up 24-11 at the end of the first quarter.

Mason County closed to within four points at the end of the first half.

After the Greyhounds went up by 11 in the third quarter, the Royals closed the gap to five at the end of the third quarter.

Mason County trimmed Paris' lead to two at 46-44 with 5:34 to play, but the Greyhounds answered with a 7-2 run which included two three-pointers by senior guard Eric Johnson.

The Greyhounds made three of four free throws in the final minute to seal their first home court win over the Royals since 1990.

Johnson scored a game-high 23 points.

Leevi Dunaway led Mason County in scoring with 21 points.

The Royals host Boyd County Saturday afternoon.

P (12-6) Strings 4, Clark 4, Byars 2, Johnson 23, Ashford 3, Adams 15, Maggard 5

MC (11-8) Dunaway 21, Perkins 8, Jackson 3, Frey 8, Jones 6, Devine 3

P      24 07 15 10- 56
MC 11 16 14 08-  49

Lewis County beats Mason County for first time since 1996

The Lewis County Lions beat the Mason County Royals for the first time since 1996.

Tay Offut scored 23 points and grabbed 15 rebounds and the Lions used to an 18-0 run to beat the Royals 74-58 Saturday afternoon at Lewis County.

There were five lead changes and one tie in the first quarter, but Lewis County scored the final 11 points of the second quarter and the first seven points of the third quarter to build a 21-point lead.

Mason County closed to with seven points with just over three and a half minutes remaining in the game, but Lewis County answered with an 8-0 run.

It's just the Lions' fourth win over the Royals in 39 meetings.

Mason County senior Malkolm Devine made five three-pointers and scored a career-high 21 points.

Caleb Boyd followed with 15 points and Leevi Dunaway added 10 points before fouling out with 5:30 left in the game.

The Royals play at Paris Tuesday night.

LC (10-9) Willis 10, Wright 10, Ruckel 3, Offut 23, O'Keefe 20, Robersion 6, Wallingford 2

MC (11-7) Dunaway 10, Perkins 2, Boyd 15, Steward 7, Jones 3, Devine 21

LC  18 17 18 21- 74

MC 11 10 17 20- 58

Mason County sweeps Fleming County in DH at The Fieldhouse

Mason County swept a girls and boys doubleheader against Fleming County tonight at The Fieldhouse.

The Lady Royals ran their winning streak to a season-high four games with a 68-33 victory over the Lady Panthers.

The Royals used an 18-3 run in the second half to earn their 19th straight win over the Panthers with a 70-58 victory.

Kara Moran and Haley May led the Lady Royals in scoring with 10 points apiece.

Jayden Steward had a double-double for the Royals with 22 points and 13 rebounds.

Leevi Dunaway scored 17 points and Caleb Boyd hit three three-pointers and added 15 points.

The Lady Royals host Highlands Thursday night.

The Royals' next game is Friday night at home against Ashland

Girls 

MC (10-5) Brooks 9, Henry 9, Reed 9, Taylor 6, Moran 10, Thompson 2, May 10, Payne 4, Schumacher 5, Poe 4

FC (0-12) Fern 4, Argo 11, Jackson 10, Shield 3, Price 5

MC 24 26 12 06- 68

FC  06 12 06 09- 33

Boys

MC (10-6) Dunaway 17, Lofton 8, Perkins 6, Boyd 15, Steward 22, Devine 2

FC (2-13) Flannery 15, Campbell 11, Crump 13, Saunders 12, Taylor 5, Hughes 2

MC 11 18 21 20- 70

FC  12 18 15 13- 58

Dunaway's 3 at the buzzer gives Royals a 66-64 win over Breathitt County

Leevi Dunaway hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to give the Mason County Royals a 66-64 victory over the Breathitt County Bobcats today in the seventh place game in the 63rd Ashland Invitational Tournament.

Breathitt County was without its leading scorer, Kyle Fraley who was injured in Thursday's game, but the Bobcats jumped out to a 10-point lead in the first quarter and were up by 11 in the third quarter.

Mason County closed the third quarter on an 18-8 run to pull within 51-50.

Jayden Steward swished a corner three to put the Royals ahead 63-62 with 27 seconds left.

The Bobcats regained the lead with a layup with 10 seconds remaining.

After a Mason County timeout, Dunaway hit the game-winning basket to snap the Royals' three-game losing streak.

Breathitt County suffered its eighth straight loss.

Mason County had four players in double figures led by Steward and Caleb Boyd with 16 points apiece.

Dunaway followed with 12 points and Jaylen Lofton added 11 points.

The Royals host Campbell County Wednesday night.

MC (8-5) Dunaway 12, Lofton 11, Perkins 6, Boyd 16, Steward 16, Jones 5

BC (4-10) Taulbee 10, Stacy 9, Noble 5, Howard 9, Fugate 23, Turner 8

MC 16 12 22 16- 66

BC 19 16 16 13-  64

Royals lose to Boyd Co. 82-74 in AIT opening game

The Mason County Royals fell behind early, played catch up the rest of the game and lost to the Boyd County Lions 82-74 today in the opening game of the 63rd Ashland Invitational Tournament.

Mason County trailed by 11 points in the first quarter, but rallied to tie the score at 29-29 in the second quarter.

Boyd County led 41-35 at halftime and 57-45 late in the third quarter.

The Royals closed to within two points at 72-70, but the Lions were able to hang on and advance to the semifinals.

Boyd County made 14 of 14 free throws in the fourth quarter.

Leevi Dunaway led Mason County in scoring with 24 points. 

Jeremiah Jones followed with a career-high 16 points, Caleb Boyd tossed in 13 points and Jayden Steward added 12 points.

Mason County will play Owensboro Catholic Thursday at 2:30 p.m. in the consolation bracket.

BC (7-3) Stewart 11, Smith 12, Robinson 27, Taylor 10, Short 17, West 5

MC (7-4) Dunaway 24, Lofton 2, Perkins 5, Boyd 13, Steward 12, Jones 16

BC  21 20 19 22- 82

MC 13 22 16 23- 74

Royals and Lady Royals win in US Bank Mike Murphy Classic

The Mason County Royals rallied from a seven-point deficit to beat the Highlands Bluebirds 72-61 for their sixth straight victory and the Mason County Lady Royals routed the Lewis County Lady Lions 61-37 in the US Bank Mike Murphy Classic tonight at The Fieldhouse.

After trailing 38-31 at halftime, the Royals outscored the Bluebirds 21-6 in the third quarter.

Highlands hit six three-pointers in the first half, but were just one of 10 beyond the arc in the second half.

Leevi Dunaway scored his 1,000th career point in the second quarter and ended up with a double-double by scoring 25 points and grabbing 12 rebounds.

Jaylen Lofton scored 18 points, Jeremiah Jones followed with 11 points and Caleb Boyd added 10 points.

The Lady Royals scored 30 points in the second quarter and led by as many as 29 points in the third quarter.

AJ Reed led Mason County in scoring with 16 points and was followed by Emma Taylor with 14 points and Victoria Brooks with 13 points.

The US Bank Mike Murphy Classic continues Friday night. The Lady Royals play the Nicholas County Lady Jackets at 6:30 followed by the Royals against the Pendleton County Wildcats.

Boys

MC (7-2) Dunaway 25, Lofton 18, Perkins 1, Boyd 10, Steward 2, Jackson 2, Frey 3, Jones 11

H (4-5) Hegge 11, Gabbard 9, Gulley 2, Noe 12, Schoellman 5, Huber 2, Roberts 13, Leigh 5, Thompson 2

MC 17 14 21 20- 72

H    19 19 06 17- 61

Girls

MC (5-4) Walton 2, Brooks 13, Henry 2, Reed 16, Taylor 14, Moran 8, Thompson 2, Poe 2

LC (3-5) Tully 7, Yates 11, McGlone 2, Horsley 2, Short 2, Cortez 3, DeSousa 2, Voyles 6

MC 13 30 09 09- 61

LC  06 13 09 09- 37

Royals defeat Dixie Heights 61-48 for 5th straight win

The Mason County Royals ran their winning streak to five games with a 61-48 victory over the Dixie Heights Colonels tonight at The Fieldhouse.

The Royals trailed 17-8 in the first quarter but rallied with a 22-4 run.

Mason County outscored Dixie Heights 18-5 in the second quarter and led 36-24 at the half.

The Royals pushed the lead to 14 points at 42-28 in the third quarter.

After Dixie Heights scored eight straight points to cut the lead to six, the Royals responded with a 6-0 run to end the third quarter.

Mason County led by as many as 15 points in the fourth quarter.

Caleb Boyd made six of nine three-pointers and scored a career-high 20 points.

Jayden Steward had a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds.

Leevi Dunaway added 13 points.

The Royals host the Highlands  Bluebirds Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in the US Bank Mike Murphy Classic.

MC (6-2) Dunaway 13, Lofton 3, Perkins 2, Boyd 20, Steward 17, Frey 4, Jones 2

DH (2-6) Karim 11, Jackson 8, Gentry 6, Schreck 10, Schumate 6, Trimpe 4, Szabo 3

MC 18 18 12 13- 61
DH  19 05 12 12- 48

Royals defeat Male 75-64 in Louisville

The Mason County Royals built an 18-point lead and withstood Male's rally for a 75-64 victory tonight in their first trip to the Louisville school.

Male jumped out to a 9-2 lead, but Mason County responded and led 25-16 at the end of the first quarter.

The Royals led 65-47 with six minutes left in the game. 

Male pulled to within seven points and had a chance to cut the deficit to five but missed a dunk.

Leevi Dunaway, coming off a 49-point performance Thursday night, had a game-high 25 points.

Caleb Boyd made four three-pointers and scored a career-high 18 points.

Jayden Stewart added 11 points.

The Royals ran their winning streak to four games by shooting 51.9 percent from the field including 50 percent (7 of 14) on three-pointers. They hit 14 of 17 free throws (82.4 percent).

Mason County outrebounded Male 37-28

The Royals host Dixie Heights Tuesday night.

MC (5-2) Dunaway 25, Lofton 6, Perkins 4, Boyd 18, Steward 11, Frey 2, Brammer 9

Male (5-3) Moore 11, Courtney 8, Rowan 18, Withrow 2, Pope 17, Leon 2, Henderson 5, Evans 1

MC 25 14 19 17- 75

M    16 14 12 22- 64

Mason County sweeps a doubleheader vs. Bracken County in 10th Annual Shoot for a Cure

Mason County swept Bracken County in a girls and boys doubleheader tonight in the 10th Annual Shoot for a Cure at Bracken County.

The Lady Royals led 41-23 at the half and beat the Lady Bears 65-30.

The Royals outscored the Polar Bears 22-9 in the third quarter on their way to a 69-45 victory.

The Lady Royals were led in scoring by Victoria Brooks and Haley May with 11 points apiece. 

AJ Reed added 10 points.

The Lady Bears were led in scoring by Kaitlyn Wills with eight points.

Jaylen Lofton stuffed the stat sheet for the Royals with 20 points, seven rebounds, six assists and five steals. 

Leevi Dunaway scored 17 points, Jayden Steward followed with 15 points and Caleb Boyd added 11 points.

Tad Fisher was Bracken County's leading scorer with 14 points.

The Royals play at East Carter Thursday night.

The Lady Royals host defending state champion Mercer County Saturday afternoon.

Girls

MC (2-3) Brooks 11, Reed 10, Harrison 2, Taylor 8, Moran 7, Adkins 3, May 11, Payne 2, White 4, Schumacher 4, Poe 3

BC (0-7) Dawson 5, Wills 8, Myrick 2, Ruf 3, Bell 5, Hamilton 2, Carl 2, Crouch 1, Goecke 2

MC 19 22 10 14- 65

BC  13 10 02 05- 30

Boys

MC (3-2) Dunaway 17, Lofton 20, Boyd 11, Steward 15, Jackson 2, Frey 2, May 2

BC (1-5) Tanner Fisher 9, Tad Fisher 14, T. Tucker 4, Deaton 8, Clos 4, M. Tucker 6

MC 15 12 22 20- 69

BC  11 10 09 15- 45



(Updated to add Kaitlyn Wills as the Lady Bears' leading scorer and to add five steals to Jaylen Lofton's totals.)

Royals' rally comes up short in 75-72 loss to Simon Kenton

After trailing by 22 points in the third quarter, the Mason County Royals rallied to within three points before losing to the Simon Kenton Pioneers 75-72 tonight in Independence.

Simon Kenton used a 21-5 run to lead 59-37 with 2:10 left in the third quarter.

Mason County pulled to with 69-66 with 2:40 remaining in the game and had a chance to tie the game.

Simon Kenton scored five straight points to push the lead to eight points with 1:03 left.

Leevi Dunaway, who picked up his fourth foul with 6:14 left in the third quarter, scored 17 of his game-high 24 points in the fourth quarter.

Jaylen Lofton followed with 23 points and Caleb Boyd added 11 points.

Mason County hosts Bourbon County Tuesday night.

SK (1-0) Kitchens 5, Robinson 13, Kelch 18, Niece 15, Hensley 4, Perry 9, Lair 2, Krohman 8

MC (1-1) Dunaway 24, Lofton 23, Perkins 3, Boyd 11, Frey 2, Jones 9

SK  21 13 25 16- 75

MC 15 12 15 30- 72

Royals fall to Scott 27-21 in overtime

Nelson Perrin rushed 10 yards for a touchdown on Scott's first play in overtime to give the Eagles a 27-21 victory over the Mason County Royals tonight at Mason County in the district opener for both teams.

Mason County, which rallied from a 21-7 first quarter deficit, got the ball first in overtime but failed to score. 

Malkolm Devine returned the opening kickoff of the game with a school record-tying 90 yards for a touchdown, but Scott answered with 21 straight points.

The Royals tied the game in the second half on a five-yard run by Devine and a 22-yard touchdown reception by Caleb Boyd.

Both teams threatened to score in the closing minutes. Mason County stopped Scott on the Royals' 10 yard line with 2:18 to play. The Royals drove to the Scott 23 yard line, but on 2nd down and three, quarterback Chandler Dunaway was sacked. Dunaway spiked the ball on third down, and his pass on fourth down fell incomplete in the end zone with 31 second remaining.

Scott had 473 yards of total offense including 342 rushing yards.

Mason County had 366 total yards with 287 rushing yards

Nelson Perrin rushed for 164 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries.

Quincy Perrin had 20 carries for 119 yards and one touchdown.

Devine rushed for 164 yards and one touchdown on 28 carries.

Mason County falls to 3-2. The Royals will host the Bourbon County Colonels on Homecoming next week.

Mason Co.1st Q 11:45 Malkolm Devine 90 yard kickoff return (Brock Gilligan kick) MC 7, S 0

Scott 1st Q 8:17 Quincy Perrin 1 yard run (Kai Ellison kick) MC 7, Scott 7

Scott 1st Q 6:46 Aerik Barbour 40 yard pass from Chad Ohmer (Kai Ellison kick) S 14, MC 7

Scott 1st Q 00:19 Nelson Perrin 43 yard run (Kai Ellison kick) S 21, MC 7

Mason Co. 3rd Q Malkolm Devine 5 yard run (Brock Gilligan kick) S 21, MC 14

Mason Co. 4th Q Caleb Boyd 22 yard pass from Chandler Dunaway (Brock Gilligan kick) S 21, MC 21

Scott OT Nelson Perrin 10 yard run S 27, MC 21

Mason County football weekly award winners

Here are the Mason County football weekly award winners based on the Royals' 18-14 loss to the Fleming County Panthers Friday night:

Brian Payne State Farm Player of the Game- Tykeise Henry

Offensive Lineman of the Game- Will Caudill

Defensive Players of the Game- Shane Sizemore and Seth Chambers

Special Teams Player of the Game- Mario Soto and Brock Gilligan

Scout Team Player of the Week- Caleb Boyd

Clark Co. end game on a 15-1 run in a 79-61 win over Mason Co.

The Clark County Cardinals ended the game on a 15-1 run to beat the Mason County Royals 79-61 tonight at the Fieldhouse.

Clark County led by 13 points in the second quarter and by 15 in the third quarter. Mason County rallied in both quarters to get to within six points, but the Cardinals scored the final basket at the end of each quarter for eight points leads.

The Royals opened the fourth quarter with a 9-5 to get within four at 64-60, but only scored one point the rest of the game. Mason County was scoreless in the final four minutes.

Clark County outrebounded Mason County 49-31.

The Royals were 6-of-27 (22.2 percent) on three-point shots.

Mason County was led in scoring by Ty Fox with 17 points.

Jaylen Lofton followed with 16 points and Caleb Boyd added 14 points.

The Royals play the Western Brown Broncos in Mt. Orab, Ohio Saturday night.

CC (17-9) Williams 10, Taylor 6, Cooper 24, Graham 15, Philpot 10, Jenkins 5, Johnson 4, Jackson 4

MC (12-15) Kumler 6, Lofton 16, Perkins 2, Boyd 14, Fox 17, Jackson 6

CC  20 18 21 20- 79

MC 12 18 21 10- 61

Royals run past Montgomery Co. 66-43 in Gateway Holiday Classic semifinals

The Mason County Royals shot 50% from the field and had four double figure scorers in a 66-43 win over the Montgomery County Indians tonight in the semifinals of the Gateway Holiday Classic at Montgomery County.

After leading to 9-8 at the end of the first quarter, the Royals pulled away by outscoring the Indians 19-8 in the second quarter.

Montgomery County, playing with out starters Jerryd Jones and Brennan Canada due to injuries, shot just 26.8% from the field and were 1 of 13 on three-point shots.

Leevi Dunaway scored a game-high 22 points, Jaylen Lofton followed with 16 points, Isaiah Garrison tossed in 12 points and Sam Kumler added 10 points.

Caleb Boyd sat out due to an ankle injury.

Mason County plays Lexington Christian Academy in the championship game Thursday night at 7:30.

Mason County  (9-4) Dunaway 22, Garrison 12, Lofton 16, Perkins 2, Steward 2, Kumler 10, Mitchell 2
Montgomery County (4-9) Barber 6, Norris 5, King 2, Davis 2, Chism 15, Ralls 2, Bettger 2, Cockrell 7, Kosier 1

Mason County           09 19 16 22-66
Montgomery County 08 08 11 16-43

Royals run past Harrison County 89-79

Another fast start and a strong finish gave the Mason County Royals an 89-70 victory over

the Harrison County Thorobreds tonight in the US Bank Mike Murphy Classic at the Fieldhouse.

Mason County, using a fast break offense, even after Harrison County made shots, raced out to 24-6 lead in the first quarter and a 37-8 lead in the second quarter.

The Royals shot 64.5% from the field in the first half and led 46-22 at halftime.

Isaiah Garrison left the game with an injury with 6:12 left in the first quarter, and three Royals- Dalton Perkins, Caleb Boyd and Jaylen Lofton- fouled in the fourth quarter.

Harrison County got to within 10 points in the fourth quarter before the Royals pulled away again the closing minutes.

There were 32 fouls and 41 free throws in the second half. 

Mason County hit 59.3% from the field for the game, to just 32.9% for Harrison County.

Leevi Dunaway had a double-double with 25 points and 12 assists.

Boyd scored a career-high 16 points.

Jayden Steward had a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

Sam Kumler was also in double digits with 13 points.

The Royals got 38 points off the bench.

Mason County's next game is Tuesday night against Boyle County in the Gateway Holiday Classic at Montgomery County.

MC (7-4) Dunaway 25, Garrison 2, Lofton 9, Perkins 2, Boyd 16, Steward 14, Jackson 6, Kumler 13, Mitchell 2

HC (1-8) Boyers 6, Turley 17, Harris 15, Gilkey 7, Bryant 5, Walker 2, Free 18,

MC 24 22 16 27-89

HC  06 16 19 29-70

Mason Co. rallies, but Magoffin Co. hangs on for an 82-79

The Mason County Royals, down by 14 points after three quarters, rallied to take the lead in the final minute, but the Magoffin County Hornets pulled out an 82-79 victory tonight in the Robertson County Adidas Classic.

Mason County got back in the game by opening the fourth quarter with a 10-1 run,

The Royals led 77-76 with 40 seconds to play and 79-78 with 17 seconds left.

Afer three-point play by Magoffin County, Mason County missed a three-point shot in the closing seconds. The Hornets hit one of two free throws with a tenth of second showing on the clock.

Magoffin County senior Trenton Russell hit seven three-pointers and scored 36 points.

Point guard Jaren Lovely made 12 of 16 free throws and scored 29 points.

Ryan Mullins added a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Mason County was led in scoring by Isaiah Garrison with 29 points.

Leevi Dunaway had a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds,

Caleb Boyd added 11 points.

The Royals have lost three straight games after opening the season with three consecutive victories,

Mason County will host Bracken County Tuesday night.

Magoffin Co. (3-2)  Lovely 29, Arnett 7, Mullins 10, Russell 36

Mason Co, (3-3) Dunaway 22, Garrison 29, Perkins 4, Boyd 11, Jackson 8, Kumler 5

Magoffin Co. 22 22 16 22- 82

Mason Co.     22 13 11 33- 79

Bourbon Co. outlasts Mason Co. 86-79 in OT

The Bourbon County Colonels outscored the Mason County Royals 15-8 in the overtime period for an 86-79 victory tonight at Bourbon County.

It's the Colonels' first win over the Royals since 2005.

Bourbon County led by nine points in the second quarter, but Mason County rallied with a 14-2 run and led 34-32 at the half.

The Royals led by 11 points in the third quarter and by eight in the fourth quarter.

Mason County missed two shots in the closing seconds of regulation. 

Leevi Dunaway scored a game-high 33 points before fouling out with 2:08 left in overtime.

Isaiah Garrison scored 15 points. Garrison and Caleb Boyd also fouled out in the extra period.

Bourbon County was led in scoring by Titus Ransom with 28 points. He fouled out with 58 seconds remaining in overtime.

Ameryon Blackburn scored 10 of his 19 points in the extra period.

Mason County plays at Scott Friday night.

BC  (1-2) Blackburn 19, Wilson 11, Stout 16, Ransom 28, Hilander 2, Brady 6, Johnson 4

MC (1-3) Dunaway 33, Garrison 15, Lofton 5, Perkins 12, Boyd 7, Steward 4, Jackson 3

BC 18 14 16 23 15- 86

MC 13 21 21 16 08-79

Dunaway scores 36 to lead Royals to 81-77 win over Simon Kenton

Leevi Dunaway scored a career-high 36 points to lead the Mason County Royals to an 81-77 come-from-behind victory in their home opener tonight.

Mason County used a 2-2-1 zone press to rally from a nine-point third quarter deficit

The Royals outscored the Pioneers 31-20 in the fourth quarter.  

Dunaway was 11-of-17 from the field and 13-of-15 from the free throw line. He had seven rebounds, five steals and one assist. Dunaway scored 17 points in the fourth quarter.

Isaiah Garrison had a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds.

Jaylen Lofton scored 11 points.

Dalton Perkins had eight points, 10 rebounds and six blocks.

Caleb Boyd added seven points.

Mason County made 25-of-31 free throws.

The Royals host the Manchester Greyhounds Saturday afternoon, The junior varsity game begins at 2 p.m. followed by the varsity game at 3:30.

MC (2-0) Dunaway 36, Garrison 19, Lofton 11, Perkins 8, Boyd 7

SK (0-1) Kitchens 9, Robinson 11, Kelch 11, C. Sergent 12, Hawkins 8, Mastin 3, Perry 9, J. Sergent 5, Niece 9

MC 13 18 19 31-81

SK  18 16 23 20-77