In a classic game played before a roaring crowd, the Mason County Royals rallied from 6 points down in the 4th Quarter to win the 10th Region Championship by 2 points over the favored Clark County Cardinals.
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Justin Lang and Jordan Gilbert led the Royals in scoring with 16 points each. Treg Setty had 10 points and 6 rebounds, Neal Pawsatt added 8 points and Rhueben Bluford grabbed 11 rebounds.
Courtside and around the state most thought that Clark County could win the 10th Region Championship but it was the Royals who held the trophy high, cut down the nets, and will advance to the Sweet Sixteen for the third straight year.
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Although the Royals gave up size to a stalwart Cardinal team the quicker play of Mason County and the overall relentless movement by the Royals on offense and their signature pressure defense wore down Clark County and ultimately earned them the victory.
The Royals were the quickest team off the dribble, to the basket and on defense. They hit their shots when it counted most and forced the Cardinals into missed shots, errant passes, and 12 turnovers in the 2nd half.
It was a total team effort but the Royal's two guards, Lang and Gilbert, were the offensive one-two punch that Clark County had no remedy for. Driving around, up and under, shooting over or from the outside, the two guards shocked the Cardinals, scoring a combined 26 points in the 2nd half and leading the charge in the deciding moments of the game.
Treg Setty made a crucial deep 3 point shot to tie the game at 55 in the the closing minutes and soon after Justin Lang scored on a breakaway to give Mason County a 2 point edge at 57 - 55 that proved to be the difference.
Clark County missed three critical 3 point shots down the stretch but still kept close and had the ball with 8 seconds remaining, down by only 2.
In the closing seconds, under pressure, the Cardinal's Robbie Stenzel attempted a long pass up the court that was deflected by Setty.
The Cardinals never got up a shot.
Time ran out as the blue-clad Royal screamers ran onto the floor and joined the players in a center stage celebration.
MC (23-6) Gilbert 16, J. Lang 16, Bluford 3, Setty 10, Harris 2, Pawsat 8, Black 7
CC (26-7) Daniel 3, Kindred 2, Stenzel 12, Purvis 7, Zollo 19, Rogers 17
MC FG 40.4% 3 PT FG 35% FT 50% REB 37 TO 9
CC FG 37.3% 3 PT FG 26.3% FT 68.8% REB 42 TO 13
MC 09 20 11 22-62
CC 16 14 16 14-60
10th Region Championship Game Notes :
> Senior Guard Justin Lang had an incredible clutch performance :
16 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals. He shot 50% from the field and scored 10 points in the game deciding 4th Quarter. Big game on a Big stage. Ice.
> Jordan Gilbert was in the zone, unguardable and drove around whoever was guarding him whenever he wanted scoring 16 tough points on exasperated defenders. Quick with the ball and a tireless defender, Clark County could not match up.
> Treg Setty battling the big guys all night, was instumental in the closing minutes : grabbing rebounds in traffic, hitting a clutch baseline 3 which was the tipping point, altering shots and tipping a clark county pass at game's end to keep the cardinals from getting off a last second shot attempt.
> Neal Pawsatt played strong on the inside against the bullying Cardinal frontline, moving them around in the paint with bravado. Handled the ball perfect in set plays in the 4th and at the end, tore down a tough rebound, was fouled, and sank the pressure free throw.
> Tyler Black had 7 points and 4 rebounds in just 11 minutes of play, hitting 3 of 4 shots from the field.
> Senior Center Rhueben Bluford played a relentless 24 minutes showing great length and quickness to the ball with 11 rebounds.
+++++++ The Royals outscored GRC 22 to 14 in the 4th Qtr
+++++++ Clark County shot just 26% from 3 point range (5/19)
+++++++ The Royals have won 7 regional titles in the past 9 years
+++++++ Mason County won the state championship in 2003 and 2008
MC (23-6) Gilbert 16, J. Lang 16, Bluford 3, Setty 10, Harris 2, Pawsat 8, Black 7
CC (26-7) Daniel 3, Kindred 2, Stenzel 12, Purvis 7, Zollo 19, Rogers 17MC FG 40.4% 3 PT FG 35% FT 50% REB 37 TO 9CC FG 37.3% 3 PT FG 26.3% FT 68.8% REB 42 TO 13
MC 09 20 11 22-62
CC 16 14 16 14-60
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