EDITORIAL: Playing Granger and Zillah the right choice for Royal

There were some highly disappointed Royal fans and players after the 84-52 and 58-38 boys basketball defeats at the hands of Granger and Zillah last weekend.

Get over it quickly, especially if you're a player. You are building a program to compete at the highest levels of South Central A Conference basketball, and Granger and Zillah are the highest level.

Zillah finished second at state last year, and Granger finished third, and it seems they go to state every year. The Leopards have sprinted to a 3-0 start this winter. Granger is already at 5-0.

You have to give Royal coach Pete Christensen credit. He could have scheduled easy pre-season competition. He chose Granger and Zillah for a reason.

I'm guessing that at some point Pete said something like, "Boys, what you are seeing is Royal football in tennis shoes. That's where you want to be."

With that said, and the fact I was raised and still live in Granger, you'd think I'd be a rabid fan. Fan, yes. Rabid, no.

I watch Granger about once a year, usually at state. Last year I didn't watch the Spartans at all, and it was their best year ever.

After 40 years in this business, I'm sort of sportsed out. I go to a few contests to get the flavor of a season or take a picture or two. Strictly business.

I attended the Granger-Royal game for that very reason. My travel costs to get a few pictures were optimum. I got the added pleasure of being entertained.

I was impressed with the Granger boys - and the Royal boys. Granger is likely to go to state again, and I'm betting Royal will make it too. The difference is team skill level, and Royal can close that gap.

The way things are shaping up in the pre-season, there is reason to believe Royal can win the SCAC East. No East team is dominating like Granger and Zillah, and the crown is there for the taking.

What impressed me about the Royal boys was that they didn't back down from Granger. They did not play the tall role (6-6 compared to 6-2) and slow the game. They ran all night with the Spartans and matched their speed.

What Royal lacked was the hand quickness of Granger. The Spartans continually picked at and slapped the ball loose from Royal hands. Royal shot 47 percent from the field and made five 3-pointers. It just didn't possess the ball enough.

The most impressive Granger capability, one which Royal can acquire, is the team steal. It is like the defensive tip drill in Royal football. The first man knocks the ball loose. If the second man can't control it, then he tips it toward another.

I didn't see the Zillah game, but I'm guessing the Leopards played the same way. They usually do. Like Granger, the Leopards are too short to block shots by 6-4 giants. They play their defense before the ball gets near the basket.

Pete was smart to schedule these two games. His boys now know better what they need to do.

Imagine Pete's 6-6 and 6-4 players with the hand speed and team steal of Granger and Zillah. That would get them an SCAC East title and perhaps a trip to state.