Wahluke rallies to top Royal in boys hoops

Defensive pressure from Wahluke's Dario Prudente, 44, and Alan Caro forces Royal's Brady Dixon to pull for an outside shot.

Royal's Riley Lefler fires from three-point range against Wahluke.

by Royal Register Editor & Ted Escobar
| December 21, 2012 5:05 AM

Royal's Riley Lefler fires from three-point range against Wahluke.

MATTAWA - Wahluke defensive pressure held Royal to only eight shots in the fourth quarter Saturday as the Warriors rallied for a 50-46 victory in boys high school basketball.

The outcome left the Warriors with a 1-1 start in South Central A Conference action. Royal dropped to 0-2. Wahluke is 3-5 for the season, and Royal is 2-3.

The Warriors host Kiona-Benton tonight and travel to Warden on Saturday. Royal hosts Highland tonight, Connell on Friday and travels too Burbank on Saturday.

It was a low-scoring contest, with Royal leading, 33-30, after three periods. Wahluke won the fourth, 20-13.

"We watched a 12-point lead slip away because we were unable to adjust to Wahluke's pressure," Royal coach Pete Christensen said.

"Royal's height and muscle seemed like it was going to get the best of us until the boys came from behind in the fourth," Wahluke coach Cody Marlow said.

This was a good, hard fought battle by both teams. It was back and forth, with Royal leading most of the game, at one juncture by 13 points.

The Warriors were finally able to regain the lead in the fourth frame. Oscar Onofre hit a three-point shot to close the gap to one point. On the next Wahluke possession, Alan Caro hit another three-ball to put Wahluke up by two points. Onofre put the game away with a couple of final free throws.

"We were fortunate to put some good pressure on them and cause some key turnovers," Marlow said.

The leading scorers for Wahluke were Caro with 19 points and Onofre with 15. The only player in double figures for Royal was Kent Christensen with 20 points. Brady Dixon had nine.

It was a tough week for Royal, playing four games in fives days after a long football season that cut into basketball.

"Breaking presses is on this week's list of run-throughs," Christensen said. "Losing the two league games puts us in a bit of a hole, but we will find our way out."

Royal's biggest challenge will be to fill the holes caused by injuries. Carter Christensen broke his nose on Friday and is out for some time. Brady Dixon is protecting a sore elbow.