Royal beats LaSalle, drops game to Naches Valley
Pete Christensen photo - Corbin Christensen drives to the hoop for two of his game-high 22 points against the LaSalle Lightning.
KENNEWICK — After going 13-1 in regular season play the Knights opened the SCAC District Basketball Tournament with a first round win over LaSalle, and a second round loss to Naches Valley Saturday at River View High School. Royal now finds itself in a must win situation in a loser out contest with Granger Thursday at Columbia-Burbank High School.
“The boys are still giving us everything they have; we just faced a team that played better than us in Naches,” coach Ray Valle said. “It’s do or die now and we’re excited for the opportunity.”
Naches Valley 69
Royal 54
It was a close game in the first half with Royal leading 11-9 at the end of the first quarter and the teams tied 26-all at the break. But the second half of the ball game was an entirely different story altogether as the Rangers heated up in the third quarter posting 26 points on the board while holding the Knights to just eight to go up top 52-34. Royal hung 20 points on the board in the final 8 minutes to Naches Valley’s 17, but it wasn’t able to overcome the big lead and dropped into the consolation bracket in a do-or-die loser out game Thursday with Granger.
Owen Ellis led the way for the Knights with 17 points. Isaac Ellis turned in a double-double 15 points and 11 rebounds. Corbin Christensen finished with 11 point and 8 boards.
The Rangers Kobe Kohls drained a game-high 25 points. Caleb Deaton added 14. Jarrett Simmons hit for 12. Jacob Stohr finished with11 points.
Knights 57
LaSalle 36
The Knights kicked off the district tournament in fine fashion with a bounce-back win over the Lightning in Royal Tuesday, Feb. 6. The West Conference No. 4 seed gave the Knights trouble early trailing 10-9 after the first 8 minutes were in the books. But Royal kicked it up a notch in the second quarter to take a 27-18 lead into the locker room at the break. LaSalle was no match for the Knights in the second half however, as Royal outscored the Lightning 30-18 to cruise to the lopsided victory.
Corbin Christensen led all scorers with 22 points. Teammate Owen Ellis added 10. Kieran Kershaw pumped in 16 points for LaSalle. Desmond Judd had 13.
The game with Granger at Columbia-Burbank High School tips off at 7 p.m. The winner will play the victor of the Wahluke-Connell matchup. The two teams advancing will battle it out for third place at Wahluke High Saturday. Both teams will move on to the state tournament at the SunDome in Yakima.
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