Royal basketball boys win one

ROYAL CITY — The Royal High School boys basketball team recorded a rare victory on Saturday and narrowly missed another triumph on Friday.

In a rare hot start Friday at River View, Royal hit three 3-pointers to lead 9-0 early and 16-8 after one quarter. But the Panthers won, 64-62.

“Another tough loss,” Royal coach Pete Christensen said.

Back home Saturday, the Knights had another hot start, leading 15-0 after one quarter en route to a 64-55 victory over Burbank.

“It was a sweet win,” coach Christensen said. “It was nice to be able to send the kids home with a win.”

Royal continued to build its lead to 52-28 after three quarters. It was cruise control from then on.

Royal was led by the 29 points and six rebounds of Owen Ellis. Corbin Christensen added 14 points and six rebounds. Isaac Ellis scored 12 points and corralled six rebounds. Corbin Christensen had five steals, and Owen Ellis recorded four.

Christensen picked off five steals, Owen Ellis had four, and Jamien Smith had three. The Knights enjoyed a 45 percent shooting night from the floor.

On Friday, Royal’s hot start featured full court defensive play that frustrated River View into several turnovers. Unfortunately, Royal did not cash in often enough.

River View countered Royal’s hot start with a rotating line-up the Knights couldn’t match. The Panthers simply outlasted the Knights after tying the score, 29-29, at halftime.

“We came out flat in the third quarter, and River View shot very, very well,” coach Christensen said. “We were down by 13 and just about came back to take them.”

River View jumped ahead, 49-42, at the end of three quarters and built the lead to 13 points in the fourth. Royal rallied and won the period, 20-15, but it was too late.

Corbin Christensen led all over the floor. He scored 28 points, took down six rebounds and executed seven steals. Owen Ellis added 14 points, and Isaac Ellis had 10.