Royals reign: reclaim state title

The Royals girls basketball team has won six state basketball championships, all of which have come since 2004.

According to the espnW 25 Power Rankings, the Royals girls basketball team is ranked sixth in the nation. The girls dominated other teams throughout the season, including twenty one  20+ point wins.

The Royals, led by Iowa State commit TT Starks, senior, started the season off hot, winning their first four games by a combined total of 124 points.

In the fifth game of the season, on Saturday, Dec. 6, the Royals went up against Eastview at the Tip-Off-Classic in the Lindbergh Center. The game went into overtime, but the Royals were not able to hold on to the lead and lost, 70-75.

After winning six in a row, the Royals finally got a chance for revenge when they faced Eastview on Wednesday, Dec. 31. This time, the girls took the lead early and never looked back. The Royals, led by Ashley Bates, junior, who had 15 points and 10 rebounds, won in convincing fashion, with a final score of 68-55.

From then on, the Royals couldn’t be stopped, beating every team in their path as they went undefeated throughout the rest of the regular season. Including beating teams by substantial margins, and many times holding their adversary to less than 50 points.

“Our defense is very good, and defense wins championships,” said Deanna Winston, sophomore.

Throughout the regular season, the Royals scored nearly 700 points more than their opponents.

After finishing off the regular season 24-1, including going undefeated in the Lake Conference and winning the conference title, the Royals headed to sections as the number one seed to face St. Louis Park. The Royals beat the Orioles 92-44, led by Nia Hollie, junior, with 19 points and Starks with 17 points.

Up next for the Royals were the Edina Hornets. The Royals dominated the first half with a score of 42-12. As the game came to a close, the Royals dominance ended with a final score of 66-28.

As the section finals between the Royals and the Minnetonka Skippers approached, the Royals were feeling very confident.

“Our theme for the entire season has been unfinished business,” said Hollie.

After a big 22-point night from Ashley Bates, the final buzzer sounded on a 81-55 Royals victory.

With the win against the Skippers, the Royals were on their way to state with the number one seed.

To begin the state tournament at the Target Center, the Royals went up against against the unseeded Rochester Mayo Spartans (20-5). The Royals dominated the first half, outscoring the Spartans with a score of 45-20. The Royals, led by Hollie, who scored her 1000th career point, finished on top with a final score of 62-35.

In the second game of state, the Royals faced fifth-seeded Shakopee. The game started with both teams trading baskets, but by the end of the half the Royals pulled away 37-23. The second half started with a Royals 19-0 run and controlled the lead from then on, the final score was 64-33 including another shining performance and 16 points by Starks.

The final game of the postseason for the Royals was against Eastview. Going into the state finale, the Royals and Lightnings season series was split 1-1. The Royals started the game off strong, but the Lightning’s three point shooting overpowered the Royals, and the first half ended with the Royals down 28-30.

The Royals turned on the heat in the second half and as the final seconds of the season expired, the Royals beat the Lightning 68-60.

This is the fourth time the Royals have won the state championship in five years. Head coach Brian Cosgriff is now 6-0 in his state tournament appearances.

The Royals will lose many seniors to graduation, including Miss Minnesota basketball finalist TT Starks, Viria Livingston, Chaniya Rogers, Bianca Williams, Angelica Wiggins, and Ashley Omete.

However, Nia Hollie, junior, is confident the Royals will be able to bounce back.

“We [will lose] so many great seniors next year, but I’m confident we can come back and do it again,” Hollie said.