In a double-header featuring four, 1st year head coaches all looking for their initial Big 7 League victory, Royal Valley swept Hiawatha at the Roundhouse Friday night. 
Girls - Royal Valley 27, Hiawatha 26           Boys - Royal Valley 66, Hiawatha 39

GIRLS
It was a slow and sloppy game full of turnovers that started with a combined 12 points, 12 turnovers and 12 fouls in the first quarter.  Royal Valley held a 7-5 lead, and Hiawatha never got any closer as the Panthers went ahead by 5 at halftime and pulled away in the second half to snap a three-game losing streak.  Royal Valley got a monster game from Mara Winter, who was one of the few returning varsity letter-winners from a year ago in the contest.  The Player To Bank On (Citizens State Bank and Trust Company of Hiawatha), Winter, scored 19 points for the Panthers and was the only player in double-figures.  Royal Valley improved to 1-2 in the league and 2-3 overall.  Hiawatha committed 23 turnovers and was only 10 of 23 from the foul-line and missed all their three-point shots before falling to 0-4 on the season.  Miracle Clark and Emily Gartner each had 9 points in the defeat.

BOYS
Hiawatha had an early 4-0 advantage, but once Royal Valley went ahead 9-6, they would never look back.  The Panthers led 16-8 after one period and 35-14 at the break.  Skyler Link had 15 points while Pete Popkess came off the bench and scored 9, all in the second quarter.  Thomas Broxterman added 8 as all 11 varsity players in uniform scored for Coach Keith Pelton to push the Panthers to 3-2 overall and 1-2 in the league.  Conner Bigham was named Citizen State Bank and Trust Company of Hiawatha "Player to Bank on" for his game high 17 points and 10 rebound effort to pace Hiawatha.  Nobody else had more than 5 points for the Redhawks who drop to 1-3 overall and 0-2 in the Big 7.  

Royal Valley will host Perry Lecompton Tuesday while Hiawatha plays at Sabetha and also at Jeff West Thursday, December 20th before the Christmas break.