Royal boys falter, district dream dim

ROYAL CITY - The hill the Royal High boys basketball team climbed two weeks ago has been supplanted by what could be an insurmountable mountain.

Royal must win two games this week and hope Burbank loses two to bring about a special playoff between the two teams for the South Central A Conference's final berth in the district tournament.

The cause of all of this was losses to Connell, 45-38, and Burbank, 55-47, last week. The most costly loss was to the Coyotes. They took a two-game edge over Royal for fourth place with two games left.

"We are in real trouble now," coach Pete Christensen said. "All we can do now is take care of the things we can control and hope for the best."

The best may be a split. The first game will be at Warden on Friday. The second will be against league-leading Kiona-Benton Saturday at Royal.

Connell keyed on Royal scoring leader Kent Christensen and held him to nine points, or about nine below his average. Reed Lefler, with 15, and Brady Dixon, with 11, led the scoring.

"This was the start of a very disappointing week," Coach Christensen said. "I wish I had the answer to many of the questions so many of the players and fans have."

The real disappointment was the second half. The Knights gave up a 24-18 halftime lead. Connell broke away from a 28-28 third quarter tie with a 17-10 fourth period.

On Saturday, Burbank outgunned Royal, 19-16, in the fourth quarter. The Coyotes kept Christensen and Lefler below their season averages. Christensen finished with 15, and Dixon had 10.

"Our work is cut out for us this week," coach Christensen said. "But I feel these young men have worked hard and never gave up even during some of our most challenging moments."