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							UNOFFICIAL COPY AS OF 03/11/10                        08 REG. SESS.       08 RS BR 2471



       A RESOLUTION honoring the Mason County High School Royals, 2008 KHSAA

Boys Sweet Sixteen Basketball Tournament Champions.

       WHEREAS, on Saturday, March 22, 2008, in front of 17,663 fans in Lexington's

Rupp Arena, The Mason County Royals won the 2008 KHSAA Boys Sweet Sixteen

Basketball Tournament by defeating the Covington Holmes Bulldogs by a score of 57-48;

and

       WHEREAS, the championship was the second in the storied history of Mason

County High School, that includes the 2003 state championship and runner-up finishes in
1981 and 2004; and

       WHEREAS, the Royals finished the season with a record of 34 wins against only 4

losses, and were a tournament co-favorite entering play; and

       WHEREAS, The Royals defeated Elliott County 66-62 in the opening round,

Paducah Tilghman 73-46 in the quarterfinals, and Shelby County 60-50 in the Semifinals

prior to their championship game triumph; and

       WHEREAS, the Royals were led on the court by senior forward Darius Miller, a

Mr. Basketball favorite and University of Kentucky signee, who averaged over 19 points

and 8.5 rebounds in the four state tournament games, and was named Most Valuable

Player of the Sweet Sixteen; and

       WHEREAS, Miller was joined on the all-tournament team by the starting back

court for the Royals, senior Ethan King and junior Russ Middleton; and

       WHEREAS, the other starters for the Royals were junior forward Keith Downing

and senior forward Trevor Setty, who was awarded the KABC Larry Conley Ultimate

Teammate Award, which is emblematic of the importance of aspects of the game other

than scoring, such as rebounding, passing, and blocked shots; and

       WHEREAS, key reserves for the Royals included freshman Neal Pawsat, junior
Ryan Hamm, and senior Jackson Tolle, who was awarded one of four Sweet Sixteen

Academic Scholarships presented to participants in the tournament; and

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       WHEREAS, other Royals included juniors Mandela Rice and Westin Stahl;

sophomores Ryne King, Justin Lang, Bradley Lang, Colt Fearis, Rheuben Bluford, and

Phillip Barner; and freshmen Jordon Gilbert and Treg Setty; and

       WHEREAS, the Royals were coached by Chris O'Hearn, a Mason County alumnus

who played on Sweet Sixteen teams of the Royals back in the 1980's, and who has

compiled a record of 110 wins against only 25 losses in an amazing four year run at his

alma mater; and

       WHEREAS, O'Hearn was ably assisted by assistant coaches Robert Moore, Seth
Faulkner, Jerry Butler, and Roscoe Fite; and

       WHEREAS, the achievement, dedication, and hard work exhibited by the

remarkable group of young men have brought honor to themselves, and great pride to

their school and community who passionately supported them every step of the way on

the road to a championship; and

       WHEREAS, the accomplishments of these young men should be publicly

recognized as they take their place among the select group of basketball teams to wear the

title of Champion of the Sweet Sixteen;

       NOW, THEREFORE,

Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of

Kentucky:
       Section 1.    The members of this body, both individually and collectively, do

hereby recognize the 2008 Mason County Royals as an outstanding group of young men

and positive role models for the youth of Kentucky.

       Section 2.     The members of this body, both individually and collectively,

congratulate the 2008 Mason County Royals, coach Chris O'Hearn, and the assistant

coaches and staff upon winning the 2008 KHSAA Boys Basketball Championship, and
wish them the best of luck in all future endeavors.

       Section 3.   The Clerk of the Senate shall transmit a copy of this Resolution to

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Senator Charlie Borders for presentation to Mason County High School Principal Steve

Appleman.




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