Royal boys hoops win

ROYAL CITY - Good things may be on the horizon for Royal High School boys basketball this season if Saturday's opener was any indication of how the team will play.

The Knights big boys asserted themselves to lead Royal to a 56-51 win over Cle Elum in an opener that was delayed by the state football championship game.

"With only five days of practice under our belts, these young men came out and fought hard for a well-deserved victory," coach Pete Christensen said.

The Knights were led by the 25 points of 6-3 senior Kent Christensen and 16 of 6-4 senior Reed Lefler. They outscored Cle Elum, 16-6, in the second period to race to a 29-16 halftime lead. The Warriors won the third quarter, 24-14 to get back into the game.

"It was a wild night," coach Christensen said.

Christensen was impressed with the abilities his boys demonstrated. They played an excellent man to man defense for much of the game. And the big boys pounded the inside in a way they did not last season.

"Our scoring was a little bit bunched up, with only four guys scoring. I am hoping we will have a bit more balanced attack as the season progresses," Christensen said.

The Knights will have little chance to practice this week, as the play four games in five nights. Royal kicks of the hectic schedule when the team travels to Leavenworth Tuesday to take on the Cascade Kodiaks. Royal is at Quincy on Thursday.

On Friday the Knights will host River View to start the South Central A Conference East season.

Saturday the Knights travel down the road to Mattawa to take on the Wahluke Warriors in another SCAC East contest.