Royal is Finally Coming of Age

The Royal High girls’ basketball program has made a lot of progress--from a .500 team last season to one that is competing for the Marmonte League title.

But ask Coach Mike Kohl, and the Highlanders hadn’t done anything yet, at least not until Royal could beat cross-town rival and longtime nemesis Simi Valley.

Royal validated its growth in Kohl’s eyes by overcoming an early double-digit deficit to defeat the Pioneers, 56-51, Thursday night at Simi Valley High.

It was only Royal’s second victory over Simi Valley in the past decade and the first since 1994. It also knocked Simi Valley (17-8, 9-3) out of a first-place tie with Channel Islands and Thousand Oaks and keeps Royal (14-7, 9-3) in the title chase.

“This is the biggest victory of my life,” Kohl said. “This game means everything to our program and the girls.”

The Highlanders took the lead for good when sophomore center Teresa Russell converted an open layup for a 50-49 lead with just under two minutes to play.

Simi Valley had a chance in the final 30 seconds, but trailing 53-51, Christina Mosesso, who had 17 points, missed a three-pointer.

Although the Highlanders made just three of six free throws thereafter, their offensive rebounds kept possession away from the Pioneers until the game was out of reach.

Simi Valley never had much of an inside game after Russell blocked four shots in the first quarter and six in the first half.

Russell finished with 11 points, 10 blocks, 11 rebounds and seven steals.

Royal fell behind, 12-2, after committing nine turnovers in the first quarter. “We just needed to settle down and do it for our seniors,” Russell said.

Royal quickly came back behind senior guard Sarah Parola, who had 18 points. Parola’s three-point play triggered a 9-0 run that gave Royal its first lead, 20-18.

Four Simi Valley starters fouled out in the fourth quarter, while the Highlanders shuttled nine different players in and out. “We’re a very balanced team,” Russell said. “And we’ve got a very good bench.”