Gallatin County Girls Basketball Coach Keller Menke on SportsTalk

Keller Menke named Girls Basketball Coach at Gallatin County

Former Mason County Lady Royals standout Keller Menke is the new girls basketball coach at Gallatin County High School in Warsaw. Menke is 5th on the Lady Royals' all-time scoring list. She was an assistant coach for the Rowan County Lady Vikings this past season.

Hoops recap

Here is a rundown of how the local college and professional basketball players did this weekend:

• Keller Menke hit four three-pointers and scored a career-high 16 points in St. Catharine's 71-66 loss to Shawnee State;
• Darius Miller hit three three-pointers and scored 13 points in Kentucky's 75-73 loss to North Carolina. Miller also has seven rebounds and three steals;
• Chris Lofton scored 12 points as the Iowa Energy improved to 6-1 with a 113-103 win over Sioux Falls in the NBA Development League. Lofton is averaging 12.4 points and 3.6 rebounds a game. He is hitting 50% from the field including 48.4% from three-point range (15-of-31);
• Trevor Setty had 11 points and six rebounds in Pikeville's 85-76 loss to Lindsey Wilson. Setty made three three-pointers;
• Wesley Jones had four points, six assists, three steals and one rebound in Central State's 77-64 victory over Elizabeth City State;
• Chris Owens scored four points and had two steals in Transylvania's 65-57 win over Bluffton.

Menke scores 14 points, St. Catherine wins home opener

Freshman Keller Menke made two three-pointers and scored 14 points to help St. Catharine win its home opener over Midway 86-70 Tuesday night. Menke scored eight points in the Patriots' season opener- a 75-64 victory over Mid-Continent University on Nov. 1. St. Catharine is back in action tonight against IU-Southeast in New Albany, Indiana.

Keller Menke selected to play in Ohio-Kentucky All-Star

Mason County senior Keller Menke has been selected to play in the 19th Annual Ohio-Kentucky All-Star Basketball Game Saturday night at Thomas More College. The girls' game begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by the boys' game at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $12. Menke, a 5-9 forward, averaged 17.3 points a game this past season. She is fifth on the Lady Royals' all-time scoring list with 1,637 career points. Menke has signed with St. Catharine College.

Girls' All-Region teams and HOF inductees introduced at halftime of championship game

The girls' All-Region teams and 2010 Hall of Fame inductees were introduced at halftime of the championship game of the girls' 10th Region Tournament today at The Fieldhouse.

First Team
Lauren Tibbs, Scott
Mary Jehlik, Montgomery County
Keller Menke, Mason County
Hannah Haight, Bracken County
Brianna Peters, Campbell County

Second Team
Emily Sanker, Bishop Brossart
Brittney Black, Clark County
Charisma Payne, St. Patrick
Preshia Rogers, Clark County
Kaitlyn Hargett, Augusta

Third Team
Shawna Sexton, Bourbon County
Morgan Crain, Paris
Petra Mitchell, Nicholas County
Anna Klee, St. Patrick
Taylor Stinson, Scott High

Honorable Mention: Kelsie Pugh (Pendleton County), Brittany Burden (Bracken County), Katelyn Smith (Mason County), Kaitlin Johnson (Harrison County), Jessica Mitchell (Deming),
Beth Queen (Mason County) and Chelsea Douglas (St. Patrick)

Co-Coach of the Year: Patrick Kelsch (Bracken County) and Rhonda Klette (Scott High)

Hall of Fame Inductees

Players
Lindsay Bray (Campbell County) 2001-2004
Yolanda Brown (Paris) 1987-1990
Jennifer (Johnson) Norman (Bourbon County) 1983-1986
Serena (King) Coleman (Montgomery County) 1989-1993
Kathy Yelton (Pendleton County) 1975-1977

Coach
Connie Appelman (Paris) 1986-1994

Contributors
Lea Wise Prewitt (Montgomery County)
Eugene "Puck" Puckett (Paris)

Lady Royals edge Bracken County 55-53 for district title

The Mason County Lady Royals, down seven at the half, rallied to edge the Bracken County Lady Bears 55-53 tonight in the championship game of the 39th District Tournament at Bracken County. Keller Menke made two free throws to tie the game at 53-53 with 24 seconds to play, and hit the go ahead layup with 2.6 seconds left. After a timeout, Menke intercepted the inbounds to clinch the victory. Bracken County missed 17 free throws in the game. Menke had a double-double with 28 points and 16 rebounds. Beth Queen added 11 points.

MC (18-10) Moran 4, Likins 4, B. Menke 4, Moore 2, K. Menke 28, Smith 2, Queen 11,
BC (17-8) Haight 21, Sticklen 14, Burden 8, Crawford 2, Mains 4, Roberts 2, Riggs 2

MC FG 32.1% 3 PT FG 14.3% FT 76% REB 44 TO 16
BC FG 35.8% 3 PT FG 00% FT 46.9% REB 42 TO 11

MC 09 13 20 13-55
BC 11 18 12 12-53

(Photo credit: Brian Menke)

Lady Royals rally past Lady Saints 46-40

The Mason County Lady Royals rallied from a nine-point third quarter deficit to beat the St. Patrick Lady Saints 46-40 tonight in the semifinals of the 39th District Tournament at Bracken County. After trailing by four at the half, St. Patrick led 33-24 in the final minute of the third quarter. But the Lady Royals ended the game on a 22-7 run to advance to the district championship game and next week's regional tournament. Keller Menke had a double-double for Mason County with 14 points and 19 rebounds. Bailey Menke also scored 14 points. Chelsea Douglas was St. Patrick's leading scorer with 12 points. Mason County will play Bracken County in the championship game Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

MC (17-10) Moran 6, Likins 4, B. Menke 14, K. Menke 14, Smith 5, Queen 3
SP (17-8) Klee 2, Douglas 12, Mosler 6, Ch. Payne 8, Ci. Payne 6, Tolle 6

MC FG 28.3% 3 PT FG 26.7% FT 52.2% REB 50 TO 20
SP FG 27.6% 3 PT FG 28.6% FT 23.5% REB 45 TO 17

MC 07 13 07 19-46
SP 06 10 17 07-40

(Photo of Beth Queen and Anne Klee battling for rebounding position by David Gallenstein. Here is a link to Gallenstein's sports photos.)

Lady Royals lose to Montgomery County 66-54

The Mason County Lady Royals fell behind 8-0 and never caught up in a 66-54 loss to Montgomery County tonight on Senior Night at the Spectrum Graphx Classic. Keller Menke scored a game-high 27 points and moved past Kasey Litzinger into fifth place on Lady Royals' all-time scoring list. She was 10-of-15 from the field and 6-of-6 from the free throw line. Mason County plays St. Patrick in the 39th District Tournament Tuesday night at Bracken County.

Mason Co. (16-10) Moran 2, Likins 6, B. Menke 3, K. Menke 27, Smith 8, Queen 8
Montgomery Co. (14-12) Lausti 8, Colliver 11, Quiroz 2, Cincotta 10, Taul 14, Jehlik 14, Spence 7

Mason Co. FG 41.2% 3 PT FG 17.6% FT 64.3% REB 28 TO 15
Montgomery Co. FG 47.1% 3 PT FG 66.7% FT 66.7% REB 36 TO 14

Mason Co. 08 14 14 18-54
Montgomery Co. 13 18 10 25-66

Lady Royals top Lady Hounds 43-31 in Paris

Keller Menke had a double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Mason County Lady Royals to a 43-31 road win over the Paris Lady Hounds tonight. Katelyn Smith added 10 points. The Lady Royals close out the regular season Friday night against the Montgomery County Lady Indians at The Fieldhouse.

MC (16-9) Moran 2, Weddle 1, Likins 4, B.Menke 3, K.Menke 15, Smith 10, Queen 7, Gibbs 1
PHS (11-12) Tye 10, Crain 13, Sims 2, Chenault 2, Harris 4

MC FG 28.6% 3 PT FG 27.3% FT 57.1% REB 36 TO 13
PHS FG 31.4% 3 PT FG 50% FT 33.3% REB 33 TO 15

MC 11 08 14 10- 43
P 09 07 12 03- 31

Boone Co. pulls away in 2nd half to beat Lady Royals 64-52

Boone County pulled away from upset-minded Mason County in the second half and the Lady Rebels beat the Lady Royals 64-52 tonight in the second game of the Pepsi-Mt. Classic at The Fieldhouse. Mason County led 40-36 in the third quarter, but Boone County ended the quarter on a 12-4 run. Then, the Lady Rebels outscored the Lady Royals 16-8 in the fourth quarter. The loss snaps the Lady Royals' three-game winning streak. Boone County sophomore Sydney Moss scored a game-high 29 points. Keller Menke led Mason County with 21 points. McKayla Likins scored 13 points. Katelyn Smith added 12 points. The Lady Royals play the Paris Lady Hounds Monday night at Paris.

MC (15-9) Moran 1, Likins 13, B. Menke 3, K. Menke 21, Smith 12, Queen 2
BC (20-3) Davis 11, Sellers 3, Shrout 8, Sandlin 13, Moss 29

MC FG 49.1% 3 PT FG 25% FT 80% REB 25 TO 16
BC FG 48.7% 3 PT FG 20% FT 66.7% REB 25 TO 15

MC 21 07 16 08-52
BC 22 11 15 16-64

Lady Royals beat Bourbon County 62-46 for third straight win

The Mason County Lady Royals ran their winning streak to three games with a 62-46 win over the Bourbon County Lady Colonels tonight in Paris. Keller Menke had a double-double with 28 points and 14 rebounds. Courtney Moran scored a career-high 12 points. Moran also had five rebounds, five assists and three steals. Mason County hosts Rowan County Wednesday night.

MC (15-8) K.Menke 28, Moran 12, Smith 9, Queen 7, Likins 2, B.Menke 2, Bierely 2
BC (9-17) Hilander 13, E.Stamper 11, Sexton 9, J.Stamper 6, Craft 4, Sparks 3

MC FG 40.0% 3 PT FG 37.5% FT 55.2% REB 41 TO 19
BC FG 32.0% 3 PT FG 18.2% FT 57.1% REB 38 TO 20

MC 19 11 16 16- 62
BC 11 09 14 12- 46

Lady Royals Deming 65-19, Keller Menke scores 1,500th career point

The Mason County Lady Royals had a 27-0 run in a 65-19 win over the Deming Lady Devils tonight. Katelyn Smith scored 15 of her game-high 18 points in the first quarter. McKayla Likins scored 11 points. Keller Menke (photo) added 10 points and now has 1,500 career points. The Lady Royals host Bishop Brossart Saturday night.

MC (14-8) Smith 18, Lykins 11, K. Menke 10, Morton 5, Queen 4, Moran 3, Gibbs 3, Berry 3, Weddle 2, Bierely 2, B. Menke 1, Cropper 1
D (3-15) J.Mitchell 5, L.Mitchell 4, Case 4, C.Fryman 4, F.Fryman 2

MC FG 36.5% 3 PT FG 30.8% FT 43.4% REB 60 TO 11
D FG 14.6% 3 PT FG 0% FT 55.6% REB 33 TO 19

MC 20 15 15 15- 65
D 06 00 07 06- 19

(Photo by David Gallenstein. Here is a link to his sports photos.)

Lady Royals use a 17-0 third quarter to beat N. Adams 54-47

After trailing by nine at the half, the Mason County Lady Royals outscored the North Adams Lady Green Devils 17-0 in the third quarter on their way to a 54-47 win at home tonight. Keller Menke and Katelyn Smith scored 18 points apiece for Mason County. The Lady Royals host Rowan County Friday night at The Fieldhouse.

MC (13-8) Smith 18, K.Menke 18, Queen 9, B.Menke 5, Moran 2, Likins 2
NA (10-2) Beasley 13, DeBord 10, Wigginton 8, Fite 8, Pertuset 4, Davis 4, Sparks 2, Copas 2

MC 17 04 17 16- 54
NA 15 15 00 17- 47

Lady Royals lose to Kittens 52-45

The Ashland Kittens ended the first half on a 9-2 run and beat the Mason County Lady Royals 52-45 tonight at The Fieldhouse. Katelyn Conner led Ashland with 26 points and 16 rebounds.
Keller Menke (photo) had 23 points and 13 rebounds for Mason County. McKayla Likins added 12 points.
The Lady Royals host North Adams Saturday night.

MC (12-8) Likins 12, B. Menke 3, K. Menke 23, Smith 4, Queen 3
A (10-3) Leaver 4, Gambill 7, Farris 5, Dietrich 5, Conner 26, Hanners 5

MC FG 32% 3 PT FG 18.8% FT 66.7% REB 40 TO 11
A FG 37.9% 3 PT FG 37.5% FT 38.5% REB 38 TO 8

MC 11 09 07 18-45
A 14 13 13 12-52

(Photo credit: Whitney Allen)

Mason County and Madison Central split girl-boy doubleheader

Mason County and Madison Central split a girl-boy doubleheader Friday night in Richmond. The Lady Royals fell behind 11-0, cut the deficit to one, but lost to the Lady Indians 73-58. Keller Menke led Mason County in scoring with 20 points. Katelyn Smith scored 15 points and Bailey Menke added a career-high 14 points. The Lady Royals play at Harrison County Saturday night.
Treg Setty, Rheuben Bluford and Justin Lang combined for 44 points to lead the Mason County Royals to a 57-41 win over the Indians. Setty had a game-high 18 points. Bluford had a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds- both are career highs. Bluford also blocked five shots.
Lang added 11 points. The Royals play LaSalle Saturday at 3:30 p.m. in the National Hoops Classic in Wellston, Ohio.

Girls

Mason Co. (11-7) Moran 2, Likins, 1, B. Menke 14, K. Menke 20, Smith 15, Queen 4, Gibbs 2
Madison Central (17-1) Ciolek 4, Sizemore 10, Brooks 22, Parks 4, Busch 7, Feldhaus 4, Cornelison 19, Farris 3

Mason Co. FG 42% 3 PT FG 50% FT 63.2% REB 34 TO 19
Madison Central FG 49.1% 3 PT FG 16.7% FT 59.3% REB 34 TO 12

Mason Co. 11 15 17 15-58
Madison Central 19 15 18 21-73

Boys

Mason Co. (11-4) Gilbert 3, J. Lang 11, Bluford 15, Setty 18. B. Lang 6, King 2, Harris 2
Madison Central (5-12) Schneider 6, Covington 10, Ford 2, Pyatt 12, Allen 1, Congleton 2, Abshear 2

Mason Co. FG 43.4% 3 PT FG 14.3% FT 71.4% REB 37 TO 9
Madison Central FG 33.3% 3 PT FG 33.3% FT 50% REB 30 TO 14

Mason Co. 09 19 20 09-57
Madison Central 07 16 08 10-41

Cold shooting night leads to a 68-50 loss for the Lady Royals

The Mason County Lady Royals shot just 29.1% from the field in a 68-50 loss to the West Carter Lady Comets tonight in Olive Hill. Keller Menke led the Lady Royals with 21 points. McKayla Likins added 11 points. Mason County plays at Madison Central Friday night.

MC (11-6) Moran 2, Likins 11, B. Menke 8, Moore 2, K. Menke 21, Smith 1, Queen 5
WC (4-5) Adkins 4, Oney 17, Reynolds 2, Shephard 4, B. Tackett 12, P. Tackett 6, Perry 23

MC FG 29.1% 3 PT FG 6.25% FT 73.9% REB 37 TO 15
WC FG 55.6% 3 PT FG 50% FT 59.1% REB 33 TO 14

MC 12 11 13 14-50
WC 14 20 19 15-68

Lady Royals lose to Campbell County 57-51 on the road

The Mason County Lady Royals lost to the Campbell County Lady Camels 57-51 tonight in Claryville. Keller Menke had a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Beth Queen added 10 points. The Lady Royals travel to Olive Hill Monday night to play the West Carter Lady Comets.

MC (11-5) K. Menke 15, Queen 10, Smith 9, Moore 9, Likins 6, B. Menke 2
CC (6-5) Peters 14, Berkley 15, Miller 10, Griffin 8, Dumaine 6, Rauch 2

MC 09 12 14 16-51
CC 12 16 11 18-57

Lady Royals seal win over Clark Co. with free throws

The Mason County Lady Royals made 11-of-14 free throws in the final 2:02 to seal a 50-47 victory over the Clark County Lady Cardinals tonight at the Lady Royals' gym. Mason County led 39-29 with 4:27 to play. Clark County tied the game with a 10-0 run, but three different Mason County players sank free throws down the stretch to close out the win. All 13 of the Lady Royals' fourth quarter points came from the free throw line. Clark County was 1-of-17 from the field in the third quarter. Mason County was o-of-4 from the field in the fourth quarter. Keller Menke and Katelyn Smith scored 15 points apiece for the Lady Royals. McKayla Likins (blocking out in the photo) added 10 points. Mason County plays at Campbell County Friday night.

MC (11-4) Moran 2, Likins 10, B.Menke 8, K.Menke 15, Smith 15
CC (5-7) Rogers 16, Black 21, Kindred 2, Borders 1, Jones 4, Williams 1, Gay 2

MC FG 26.0% 3 PT 28.6% FT 76.9% REB 45 TO 21
CC FG 25.0% 3 PT 26.3% FT 66.7% REB 35 TO 21

MC 14 08 15 13- 50
CC 12 11 06 18- 47

(Photo credit: Whitney Allen)

Lady Royals use big 2nd quarter to beat Augusta 60-38

The Mason County Lady Royals outscored the Augusta Lady Panthers 18-3 in the second quarter on their way to a 60-38 win at home today. KellerMenke led the Lady Royals in scoring with 21 points and McKayla Likins added 14 points. Augusta senior guard Kaitlyn Hargett scored a game-high 24 points. Mason County hosts Clark County Monday night.

MC (10-4) Moran 2, Weddle 2, Likins 14, B. Menke 6, K. Menke 21, Smith 8, Gibbs 3, Bierley 4
A (4-8) Lang 7, Hay 3, Whiteman 2, Hargett 24, Barrett 2

MC FG 37.5% 3 PT FG 22.2% FT 43.5% REB 53 TO 15
A FG 26.7% 3 PT FG 36.4% FT 58.8% REB 31 TO 22

MC 15 18 15 12-60
A 13 03 14 08-38