Thursday night, the previously second-ranked in state Royals defeated the number one ranked Shakopee Sabers 70-54.

The Royals have played strong since dropping one to the Minnetonka Skippers. The win against Shakopee was their third straight double-digit win.

Shakopee came into the game flying high. They were 17-0, with a suffocating defense that was only allowing 44 points per game.

The Royals came in with their high-powered offense that was averaging 74 points per game. In the battle of the two forces, the Royals offense prevailed. Tied at halftime, Hopkins outscored Shakopee by 16 in the second half.

Second in scoring for Hopkins was Ashley Bates, senior, with 15 points. It was a special night for Bates, as the home crowd celebrated her scoring her 1,000 career point in the previous game against McEachern (GA) on Dec. 18.

“I feel really proud of myself,” Bates said. “Hard work paid off.”

However, the celebration of her personal milestone was not as important as the team achievement.

“It felt good because they were undefeated,” Bates said. “We have been doubted since we lost those two games [against St. Michael and Minnetonka]”

Leading Hopkins was Nia Hollie, senior, with 18 points. Paige Bueckers, eighth grader, added 12. Shakopee’s Taylor Koenen led all scorers with 24.

Hopkins now sits at 18-2, with non-conference Maple Grove up next on Tuesday.