For Hopkins basketball player and Citadel commit Jake Wright, senior, the state tournament has been full of ups and downs. Wright won the 2011 state title as a reserve his freshman year, but fell short as a sophomore in the semifinals to that year’s state champion Osseo Orioles, despite his individual effort.

Wright hit multiple, buzzer-beating three pointers at the end of regulation and during an overtime period, to keep the Royals in the game. He finished with 13 points, seven rebounds, and shot four for nine from behind the arc.

“It was amazing when we won, and obviously disappointing when we lost,” Wright said. “Both were great experiences.”

This year, Wright’s final season, looks to be different. The Royals claimed the number one seed in this season’s class 4AAAA state tournament, with the loss of the top ranked Apple Valley Eagles in the section 3AAAA finals.

As a captain, and one of three players on the team to play in state, Wright expects it to help his team.

“It definitely helps. Being able to have been there before, I’ll try to use that experience to lead my team,” Wright said.

This season, Wright is leading the Royals with 15.6 points per game, and has expanded his game beyond just shooting threes.

“Becoming more versatile has helped me a lot, because it has allowed me to score in different ways,” Wright said. “When my shot is not falling, I can still contribute to the game in a positive manner.”

Wright scored three points in yesterday’s 70-58 win over Tartan in the state quarterfinals, an unusually low output from the team’s leading scorer. However, due to the Royals’ balanced offensive attack, where any given starter could lead the team in scoring, Wright’s outlying performance yesterday afternoon did not affect the outcome.

“The defense Tartan ran prevented me from getting the ball, and as a result my teammates were able to score. We won the game, that’s all that matters,” Wright said.

Tonight, the Royals will play the Shakopee Sabers in the state semifinals at 6 PM. The fifth seeded Sabers beat the fourth seeded Osseo Orioles 54-51 yesterday in a barn burner at the Target Center.