Royals nearly back at full strength

KNIGHTSTOWN — The boys basketball season officially tipped off for Eastern Hancock Nov. 21.

In many ways, however, the Royals’ season truly begins this weekend.

Last year’s leading scorer, Victor Vincz, entered the EH lineup Friday for the first time this season and helped the Royals beat Knightstown 54-37.

Vincz, a senior who notched 52 points in a game last winter, was dealing with concussion-like symptoms since March. He was finally cleared this week, and he made an immediate difference against the rival Panthers.

With the Royals (2-3) opening the second half ahead 26-22, Knightstown pulled within 28-26 at the five-minute mark of the third quarter. Vincz responded by scoring eight points during an 11-1 run to give EH a 39-27 lead, and the visitors led comfortably the rest of the evening.

“When Victor, in that third quarter, kind of got going … that’s what he does for us,” EH coach Aaron Spaulding said. “That’s kind of just scoring because you’re good, not because of anything exceptional you’re drawing up. That’s the offense we’ve been missing to this point.

“Him being out there just opens everything up for everybody else. Everybody’s going to benefit from him being back.”

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