[louisvillekid]

from my local paper

Mason County High School’s Darius Miller was named Kentucky’s Mr. Basketball this afternoon during a ceremony at the school.

The award is presented by the Kentucky Lions Eye Foundation, which does not release the voting results of the state’s coaches.

Miller’s top competition was considered to be University Heights’ Scotty Hopson and Bryan Station’s Shelvin Mack.

Miller, a 6-foot-7 forward, was considered a front-runner for the honor all season after signing with the University of Kentucky. And he didn’t disappoint on the court, averaging 19.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.9 steals and 2.2 blocks while helping the Royals win the Sweet 16 last month.

Miller shot 51.1 percent overall, 33.7 percent from three-point range and 76.9 percent from the free-throw line.

He became the second winner in five seasons from Mason County, joining 2004 honoree Chris Lofton.

Miller is the fourth person to win Mr. Basketball and Sweet 16 MVP honors in the same season since the Kentucky High School Athletic Association officially instituted the latter award in 1981. Others to pull off the double were Virgie’s Todd May (1982), Clay County’s Richie Farmer (1988) and Fairdale’s Jermaine Brown (1991).