Third quarter does in girls in finale

ROYAL CITY — The Royal High girls played a decent first half in their basketball finale at Kiona-Benton last Friday, but a third quarter disaster led to a 64-20 defeat.

Royal trailed the Bears, 24-15 at the half, and coach Phil Daubel had hopes of a second-half battle. But Ki-Be won the third period, 27-0.

“We had a really good first half, playing with an edge and with great intensity,” Daubel.

Then Royal ran into a hot shooting KiBe team at the same time the basket at which Royal was shooting closed tight.

The Knights were led by Annabelle Booth with eight points. It was unfortunate for Royal she didn’t shoot more. She made three of five field goals and two of three free throws.

Elsie Delgado scored four points. McDarra VonStein scored four and pulled down nine rebounds. Bianca Castellon had seven rebounds, Guadalupe Guadarrama six and Stacie Hebdon five.

It was another disappointing season. The Royal girls finished well under .500, but they completed the season.

“Most girls would have quit,” Daubel said. “I have the utmost respect for these two young ladies.”

“I’m really proud of our seniors,” he added. “Elsie Delgado plays with a huge heart, a lot bigger than her 5-foot frame. Stephanie Rivera had to work extremely hard to get to the varsity level coming from a sophomore who at one time was on C team.”