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.

Ladies Dirt Bowl set for July 22

The Ladies Dirt Bowl 3-on-3 basketball tournaments are scheduled July 22 at the Mason County Lady Royals Gym in downtown Maysville. Games will begin at 9 a.m.

The event is coordinated by former Mason County Lady Royal star De'Sarae Perry.

The high school division, limited to the first eight teams to register, is co-ed — one boy and two girls on the floor at all times.

The grades 6-8 division, limited to 12 teams, is for girls only. 

The fee is $50 per team. 

The deadline to register and pay is July 19.

The online pay options are CashApp: $DCPerry10 and Paypal: paypal.me/Desperry.

For more information or to register, call Perry at 606-375-5604.

Ladies Dirt Bowl 2022 will be a 3-on-3 Co-ed Tournament

Ladies Dirt Bowl 2022 will be a 3-on-3 co-ed tournament at the Lady Royals Gym in downtown Maysville on July 16 instead of a 5-on-5 female tournament.

Ladies Dirt Bowl organizer De'Sarae Perry wrote on Facebook that she only heard from two female teams for the 5-on-5 tournament, so, the switch to a co-ed 3-on-3 tournament was made to keep the event alive.

The co-ed tournament is open to 8th graders and up including adults. Teams may have five players on the roster, but must have two females on the court at all times. 

The entry fee is $50. A $25 deposit must be paid by July 11th. Send a text message to 606-375-5604 to register.