BOYS' BASKETBALL: Don't forget about Royal

When talk turns to Marmonte League basketball, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley and Calabasas grab most of the headlines.

I am telling you right now, do not forget about Royal.

The Highlanders will be terrific with a roster that consists of 10 juniors and two seniors.

The top two players are junior Max McCoy and senior J.R. Powell.

McCoy was a first team All-Marmonte League selection, first team All-Ventura County pick and an All-Southern Section second team selection.

Powell not only was selected second team All-Marmonte League and second team All-Ventura County, but broke the school single season 3-point record with 84.

Asst. coach Steve Stokes said Powell is on pace to break the Southern Section record for career 3-pointers.

The three other starters aren't bad either.

Scott Woods, Nick Creber and Weston Park are all juniors with a huge year of varsity experience under their belt when Royal made a great run to the quarterfinals, the farthest of any Marmonte League team.

Woods shattered the school record for blocked shots in a season with 83, Creber was a second team All-Marmonte League selection and Park is considered the teams best on-ball defender.

Chris Terry and Trent Atkinson are the best freshman in the program and are expected to play J.V. for a year.

Royal will participate in the Burbank and Moorpark tournaments locally in December.