A new outdoor basktetball court at the Maysville-Mason County Recreation Park

It's built — a full length basketball court at the Maysville-Mason County Recreation Park — will they come?

You don't see kids or teens playing basketball on outdoor courts like you used to.

Back in the day, competitive games were played at Jack Condon's court in the alley behind his house on Walnut Street, at Rotary Park (on a court that no longer exists), on the St. Patrick playground, at the goals at the corner of Wall and Third streets and at the Aberdeen Community Park to name a few locations.

"In order to keep playing on the court, you had to win or you had to go sit," former St. Patrick High School and University of Toledo star Jay Gast remembered. "You might sit for two or three cycles of games before you got a chance to play again." 

The late Gerry Calvert, a star player at Maysville High School and the University of Kentucky, told me he honed his skills playing against athletes from St. Patrick High School and Fee High School on St. Patrick playground goals.

When I tweeted photos of the new court this morning, Mason County assistant coach and 10th Region Hall of Famer Robert Myrick replied: "Nice! Hopefully kids will get out and play on that nice court."

I hope they do, too.

Jay Gast receives Distinguished Law Enforcement Lifetime Achievement Award

Former St. Patrick High School and University of Toledo basketball star Jay Gast received the Distinguished Law Enforcement Lifetime Achievement Award on Monday. 

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced the award at his annual Law Enforcement Conference.

Gast retired from the Toledo Police Department after nearly 33 years of service. He received a distinguished service medal and medal of valor for twice saving people from burning homes. For his help putting numerous murderers and rapists behind bars, Gast earned letters of appreciation from prosecutors, court officials and civilians, according to a news release from Yost's office.

Gast, a 1981 graduate of St. Patrick High School, is second on the Saints' all-time scoring list with 2,239 career points. He was a member of the 1981 Kentucky All-Star Team. Gast is a member of the St. Patrick Athletic Hall of Fame.

Gast was inducted into the University of Toledo Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012. He is 21st on the Rockets' all-time scoring list with 1,328 career points.

News and notes

Here are few news and notes and a three of links about former local basketball players and a coach:

Chris Lofton had four points and four rebounds in Le Man's 87-77 victory over Monaco today to even the best-of-five French League Jeep Elite Playoff Finals at a game apiece. Game 3 is Monday in Le Mans.

After taking a year off,  former Mason County and Ohio University standout Treg Setty will return to professional basketball next season. Mansfield and Associates announced Setty has signed with Residence Walferdange in Luxembourg. He had previously played in Belgium.

Former St. Patrick and University of Toledo star Jay Gast retired today from the Toledo Police Department, but will start a new job next week. Check out the Toledo Bee report.

Former Mason County Royals coach and current UPike coach Kelly Wells was a guest on a recent episode of Conversations with Champions on KET. Watch it online.

An episode of Conversations with Champions last year featured former Maysville High School and University of Kentucky player Gerry Calvert and two of his UK teammates John Brewer and Earl Adkins. Here is a link to the show.

Jay Gast on SportsTalk

Former St. Patrick and University of Toledo basketball standout Jay Gast was my guest on SportsTalk this morning. 

Here is a link to the podcast.