A visit to the Kentucky High School Basketball Hall of Fame

Earlier this month, I visited The Dr. Mark and Cindy Lynn Kentucky High School Basketball Hall of Fame in Elizabethtown.

The Hall of Fame project began in 2009 and moved into its current location in a former church building in 2017.

The museum features several interesting displays highlighting great players, coaches, teams and games.

The Hall of Fame inductees include legendary Maysville Bulldogs coach Earle D. Jones and former Mason County stars Ronnie Lyons, Chris Lofton and Darius Miller.

Former Bracken County High School principal Kenneth Henderson is the Community Director of the Hall of Fame. He was there the day I visited. I enjoyed talking to him about his time at Bracken County.

The Hall of Fame is open Wednesday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for senior citizens and $4 for military and students. Children five and under are admitted free of charge.

Kenneth Henderson

Ronnie Lyons is the guest on Episode 10 of Conversations with Danny Weddle

Former Mason County and University of Kentucky basketball player Ronnie Lyons shares some terrific stories on Episode 10 of my podcast, Conversations with Danny Weddle.    

Lyons, who is second on the Royals' all-time scoring list, talks about his high school career, trying out for Major League Baseball teams, being recruited by Alabama, North Carolina and Kentucky, and when considered transferring to North Carolina. 

Ronnie Lyons will be inducted into the Kentucky High School Basketball Hall of Fame in May

Former Mason County Royal Ronnie Lyons will be inducted into the Kentucky High School Basketball Hall of Fame one year later than originally scheduled.

Lyons, second on the Royals' all-time scoring list, is a member of the Hall of Fame Class of 2020, but the induction celebration was postponed last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Kentucky Basketball Hall of Fame, located in Elizabethtown, has scheduled the induction celebrations for both the Class of 2020 and the Class of 2021 this year.

The 2020 Induction Celebration is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. on May 15 at Elizabethtown State Theater.

Lyons scored 2,621points in his high school career and scored a career record 60 points vs. Bourbon County in 1970. He was named All-State in 1969 and 1970 and was a Prep All-American in 1970. Lyons played for the Kentucky All-Stars in the annual series with Indiana and also played in the Dapper Dan Classic. He would go on to play for the Kentucky Wildcats.

Kim Denkins, who led the Nicholas County Lady Jackets to the 1993 state championship, is also a member of the Kentucky High School Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2020.

Ronnie Lyons elected to Kentucky High School Basketball Hall of Fame

Former Mason County Royals star Ronnie Lyons has been elected to the Kentucky High School Basketball Hall of Fame.

Lyons is second on the Royals' all-time scoring list with 2,621 career points. He scored 1,216 points in his season season (1969-70), averaging 33.8 points a game.

Lyons scored a school-record 60 points in Mason County's 82-76 victory over Bourbon County on February 20, 1970.

Lyons was a Kentucky All-Star and played in the Dapper Dan Roundball Classic. He played for Adolph Rupp and Joe B. Hall at the University of Kentucky.

Two other former Royals- Chris Lofton and Darius Miller- have been inducted into the Kentucky High School Basketball Hall of Fame. Legendary Maysville Bulldogs Coach Earle D. Jones is also a member of the Kentucky High School Basketball Hall of Fame.

Lyons and the rest of the Class of 2020 will be inducted on July 11 at the State Theater in Elizabethtown.