ROYAL CITY — After a successful first year under Head Coach Tim Ravet, the Royal Knights (24-5) finished the season in third at the 1A state basketball tournament.   

“I think we were playing pretty good basketball; having a shot to play until the last day is always the goal,” Ravet said. “Believing that you could win is always fun; you can tell the kids believed we could win. That's what you want more than anything: that belief, buy-in and work ethic.”  

The foundation for winning basketball was not laid this year, Ravet said. It was built over the last few seasons under Greg Jenks, who stepped away after last season, leaving an opening that was filled by Ravet.   

“Greg did a great job in the last three years. This was their best finish in, like, 50 years or something, but that doesn't happen in three months. That happens over a (period of) time of parents and the community of players putting in time to hone skills to get better, to be able to compete at the highest level,” he said.   

Throughout the season, Ravet balanced getting to know his players with trying to get the most out of them. With football making a run to the state championship, the basketball team started practice a little late, which presented him with a unique challenge, he said.  

When he reflected on the season, he didn’t point to one particular game where he saw the potential of this team, but rather the process of learning from various scenarios.    

“I think it was a process through the whole season, especially when we lost in the regional game,” Ravet said. “I think it helped us get a little more serious about (the fact that) if you don't make shots, you can lose to anybody and (if you) make shots and play good defense, we’ve got a shot at beating them.”  

Grant Wardenaar was the only returning starter for the Knights, Ravet said. This presented an opportunity for new players to fill key roles in the starting lineup. Players like Manny Ruvalcaba, Graham Palmer, Fischer Livingston and Dax Jenks became consistent difference makers at both ends of the court.   

Ravet noticed his team’s growth as they became more competitive with league rival Zillah. The first time they met, the Knights were defeated by double digits. However, the next three times they met, the Knights only lost by single digits in highly competitive games in the regular and postseason. 

“I think that's where the buy in (came). Zillah has kind of set the standards of basketball in the league, and to know that we're in that conversation every time we step on the floor with them, and that's a bar that I think we can get over,” Ravet said. 

Another challenge for Ravet and the Knights this year was finding the best lineup. For instance, they never had a true post player throughout this season, he said. At times, they had to get creative with their lineups to ensure they were putting out the most productive group of players at a given time.   

“This year was more difficult because we had kids playing out of position, positions that they'd never played before,” Ravet said. “We didn't really have the true post; we didn't have a true point guard to start (the season). At the last game, you felt like you were still moving pieces around to get the best performance and see what they can do. Sometimes that's not having any post. They're playing more outside, picking their points, and when they get in there and mix it up, (they) show that there could be a lot more growth there.”   

Ravet is excited about the future of the program as younger players take steps forward in their development and more experienced players like Wardenaar are set to return next year. The coach leaves this season in the history books proud of what they were able to accomplish.  He vocalized this pride after a competitive loss to Zillah in the 1A state basketball semifinals.   

“More than anything, (they had) the belief that they could win. That's all (you want) in a coach, in a program and a culture,” Ravet said. 

    Manny Ruvalcaba (0) knifes through traffic for a layup against Zillah in the 1A state semifinals.
  

    The Knights’ Anderson Brown (23) shoots a free throw during their game against the Wahluke Warriors earlier this season.
  

    Graham Palmer (12) and Dax Jenks (4) try to outmuscle Zillah defenders as they go for the rebound in the 1A state semifinals.
  

    Grant Wardenaar (24) shoots a contested three-pointer during the Knights game against the Wahluke Warriors earlier this season.
  

    Fischer Livingston (1) shoots a fadeaway jump shot against the Zillah Leopards earlier this season.