Defense powers Knights to statement win

ROYAL CITY — The Royal Knights (9-2) defeated the Naches Valley Rangers 45-22 to bounce back into the win column Tuesday. After a strong performance in the paint, Graycie Kast was all smiles after earning her first home win as a Knight.  

“It feels good, (the community) brings the energy,” Kast said.  

The Knights capitalized on turnovers by the Rangers to build a strong lead in the first half. Kast drove the charge on offense by finding scores inside or drawing fouls to get to the free-throw line. By halftime, Royal led 23-9. In the second half, they continued to impose their will on defense and widen the gap on the score board. Even when the Rangers found some momentum in the fourth quarter, the Knights' defense was too much and they ultimately secured the win.  

“Very happy about that win right now,” head coach Farrah Wardenaar said. “That should put us in the top three in our league, which is where we need to be. Wasn't our most beautiful win, but we'll take it.” 

Defense defined the first quarter for both teams. The Knights took the momentum early with their physical defense led by Maggie Frank and Kast, who blocked a shot and halted a fastbreak by the Rangers. By the end of the first, they led 10-3.  

In the second, Frank continued to play tight defense, not allowing her opponents any room to move the ball. This aggressive approach led to turnovers on several occasions, which allowed Royal to build their lead to 23-9 by halftime.  

“She's our defensive specialist,” Coach said. “She had a bit of a payback to Naches. They beat them in soccer, and so she's been waiting for this game to get even.” 

In the third quarter, Naches Valley tried to push the pace in transition, but Royal was prepared and shut them down consistently. On the other end of the court, Kast and Lauren Wardenaar fired on all cylinders inside the paint and from mid-range. They held the Rangers to just two points in the third as they built their lead.  

In the fourth quarter, the Knights turned up the heat. They moved the ball more effectively on offense and found more scoring opportunities. Naches found their rhythm momentarily on back-to-back three pointers, Wardenaar called a timeout to deliver a message to her players. 

“I said, ‘This game isn't over, let's go, let's get on it. It's a 15-point game. There's still three minutes left.’ It got them going and we finished strong,” she said.  

Vanesa Cedillo scored a wide-open three-pointer to put them up 40-20. From there, they finished strong to secure the win.  

After a strong win at home, the Knights are eager to keep stacking wins as league play continues. Royal heads to College Place on Friday at 5:45 p.m. 

“This is the best record we've had in a few years,” Farrah said. “It feels like this point in the season, it starts to click. After Saturday, we'll have played everybody in our league once. You see how you measure up, and I hope they believe they can do it, because that's part of it for us, is really believing we're good enough to be in the top three (of the league).” 

BOX SCORE:  

NVLY: 3-6-2-11: 22 

ROYL: 10-13-8-14: 45 

    Lauren Wardenaar (14) races past a Naches Valley defender on a fast break.
  

    The Knights’ Graycie Kast (22) dribbles the ball before shooting a free throw against Naches Valley Tuesday.
  

    Vanesa Cedillo (10) looks to pass the ball back into play against Naches Valley Tuesday. Cedillo hit a clutch three pointer from the corner.