ROYAL CITY – While the 2023-24 season is in the past, the Royal Knights had a chance to avenge their loss in last season’s state boys basketball tournament with Friday night’s non-league matchup against Riverside, doubling up the Rams in a 78-39 win. 

Riverside defeated Royal 55-40 in the Round of 12 at the 1A State Boys Basketball Tournament last February in Yakima. Both teams returned three starters from their previous matchup. 

“Unfortunately, I still remember the state game from a year ago,” head coach Greg Jenks said. “I know it’s a new season, but it still burns in you a little bit. The boys were excited.” 

Trailing 17-16 following the first quarter on Friday night, Royal took the lead for good on a jump shot by sophomore Grant Wardenaar early in the second quarter, which jumpstarted a 14-2 scoring run in favor of the Knights. The scoring barrage was headlined by senior Ezra Jenks, who connected on three-pointers on back-to-back possessions. 

“I felt like I was in a little bit of a groove, so I fired away,” Ezra Jenks said. 

The senior guard hit four threes in the win, a team-high. Three of them came in the second quarter. 

“If I’m open, I’m going to shoot it – miss or make,” Ezra Jenks said. “I’m going to be confident enough to believe that every shot is going in. I was open, so I shot.” 

After not hitting a three during the first quarter, Greg Jenks said a made shot behind the arc by Wardenaar proved to be contagious for the Knights on Friday night; Royal finished the game with nine three-pointers, including five in the second quarter which helped the Knights build a 42-23 lead at the half. Senior Lance Allred also connected on a three-pointer during the second quarter where the Knights outscored the Rams 22-6. 

“You see (a shot) go down, and it’s positive energy and vibes running through you – like, ‘I can do that too,’” Greg Jenks said. 

Despite opening the game with 17 points in the first quarter, Riverside was held to just 22 points over the course of the remaining 24 minutes. 

“We feel like our defense wears on a team, so we expect points to be less and less as the game goes on,” Greg Jenks said. 

Aiding Riverside in its first-quarter lead was four technical fouls called on the Knights during pregame warm-ups for dunking the basketball. Riverside made six of the eight free throw attempts and began the game with possession of the ball, holding a 6-0 lead before any time came off the game clock. 

“It felt really weird; we’ve got great seniors, and their leadership, it made them dial in even more,” Greg Jenks said. “Instead of rattling them, it made them focus more.” 

Ezra and Wardenaar agreed. 

“I think it lit a little more of a fire in each of us,” Ezra Jenks said. “We were ready from the start and knew we had to come back. It just built and led to some momentum.” 

“Everyone on the team is mentally strong; we didn’t look at it like we were down, we looked at it as a bigger challenge to overcome,” Wardenaar said.  

The Royal head coach said that he’s never seen a game begin in that fashion. 

In total, there were seven technical fouls called in Friday’s game; five on the Knights (four in pregame warm-ups, one in-game) and two on the Rams (both in-game). 

Wardenaar led the Knights with 23 points in the win, followed by Ezra’s 14 points and sophomore Manny Ruvalcaba, who scored 11 points off the bench on Friday night. 

“My teammates were getting me the ball, trying to set good screens. I can’t take all the credit for myself – everyone was getting me the ball, it was a team effort,” Wardenaar said. 

Royal (8-0) hosted the defending 1A champion Zillah Leopards (7-2) on Saturday evening, but scores were not available in time for press deadline. The Knights return to the court Tuesday on the road against Naches Valley. 

“We really get to see where we are tomorrow,” Greg Jenks said of the game against Zillah.  

Box score 

RVR: 17-6-6-6 39
RYL: 16-22-23-13 68 

    Royal senior Ezra Jenks, left, dribbles the ball up the floor in the first quarter against Riverside on Friday. Jenks led the Knights with four made three-pointers in the win, three of which came in the second quarter.
  

    Royal sophomore Manny Ruvalcaba (23) passes the ball to a teammate in the corner of the court. Ruvalcaba’s 11 points were the most off the bench in the win.
  

    Royal senior Trent Jensen (20) rises up to lay the ball in for Royal’s first basket of the game during Friday’s matchup against Riverside.