The Royal Valley basketball teams picked up a doubleheader sweep on Friday night at Hiawatha to begin the 2023 portion of their schedule. 

Girls: Royal Valley 61, Hiawatha 30

The Panthers led 18-3 at the end of the first quarter and never looked back on their way to victory. 

Hiawatha hung tough with a much better second quarter and trailed by 14 at halftime but the Panthers would outscore the Redhawks 31-14 the rest of the way. 

Kennedy Bryan led the way for Royal Valley as she finished with 25 points and 12 rebounds. Alysa Ladson added 11 points while Morgan Davis chipped in with 10. 

Hiawatha was led in scoring by Abby Elffner with 12 points while Darcy Lierz added a near double-double with nine points and ten rebounds. 

Royal Valley improved to 2-5 overall and 2-4 in Big 7 league play while Hiawatha dropped to 3-4 overall and 1-3 in Big 7 league play. 

Boys: Royal Valley 62, Hiawatha 58

Hiawatha got out to an early lead but Royal Valley would answer with a 17-4 second quarter to give them the 30-24 halftime lead over the Redhawks. 

Both teams scored 18 points in the third quarter and the game was tight down the stretch. Royal Valley was able to get enough stops and ice the game at the free throw line. 

Daniel Coleman led the Panthers with 15 points while Treyson Murata and Ian Torres each added 11 each. 

The Redhawks got 15 points from Cameron Boswell, 14 from Kaden Morton and 12 from David Keo. 

The Panthers improved to 4-3 overall and 3-3 in Big 7 league play while the Redhawks dropped to 2-5 overall and 1-3 in Big 7 league play. 

Up next for both on Tuesday, Royal Valley travels to Jefferson West while Hiawatha is at home against Sabetha.