Royston's final chapter

By Jim den Hollander

wde-sports@capitalnewspapers.com

After a couple of seasons as a leader for the Wisconsin Dells High School varsity high school basketball team, Jade Royston officially wrapped up his high school career in Madison Saturday.

Royston played in one of eight. Wisconsin Basketball Association all-Star games on the day, four boys games from Division 1-4 at the UW-Madison Fieldhouse and the four girls games played at Madison Area Technical College.

All eight games featured a south vs. north format.

In the boys games, the most lopsided finish saw Royston and his mates whipping their North rivals 95-43.

Royston was a starting guard in the game and played 22 minutes in the game, chipping in seven points.

Royston can now begin preparations for the next chapter in his basketball career as he hopes to start on a young team at UW-Oshkosh.

The South all Stars were in town on Wednesday to scrimmage a group of Dells all stars including Brant Bailey, a WDHS alumnus who plays professionally in the German Bundesliga and several of Royston's teammates from the 2006-07 team that reached state semis.

That was just the wrap up of a busy session though that actually started in Spring Green two days earlier.

"We actually met on Monday. Most of the teams did that this year, in most of the head coaches home town and they stayed there for the week, then all of the teams met in Madison on Thursday and Friday."

Getting to spend a few days together was plenty for the team members to get to know each other said Royston after the game.

"Yeah, they're all stars, so it's a lot easier to have chemistry with such good players. It was real easy to get along with the guys because they all come from the same nature - good basketball players. It was a good week.

Asked if the River Valley head coach introduced any specific systems, Royston said the plan was pretty basic.

"Not really, we just kind of played from free motion, run and gun. We had a couple of set plays but we didn't use them very often. They just let us use our skills and work together.

Royston, a four-year starter for the Chiefs, stepped into a leadership role following the graduation of a large skilled class of seniors in his junior year and this past season was a quarterback for the offense. He started up the offense for the all stars as well but it didn't really matter who he passed to.

"It's not like if I pass to this guy, he's better than the other guy. We're on the same floor and everybody is the same caliber pretty much."

While having so many teammates to choose from was nice, Royston wasn't pleased with the way he played himself.

"I didn't have the greatest game myself. A lot of shots weren't falling for me late. I only had seven points."

Mostly though, Royston was honored to be named to the team and given one last high school game.

"It's definitely something to look forward to because it's your last high school game ever and its one of the most prestigious games."

On Monday, Royston took the next step in his career as he sat on the sidelines and watched his former mates at JustAgame as the WDHS varsity team played in the Dells Classic Tournament.

With that, Royston went from being a WDHS basketball player to a UW-Oshkosh player in training for the 2009-10 season.

"I am starting today," said Royston with a smile asked if he received workouts from his new coach.

Royston said the workouts were mainly lifting, but he will do some running and obviously, playing hoops.

The UW-Oshkosh squad will be in a pre-season tournament at JustAgame this summer.

The other new thing for Royston is getting used to a one-sport focus. A two-sport athlete (golf and basketball) for his first three years at WDHS, Royston added football in his senior year and joined the all-Conference list as a wide receiver.

Now though, his lone focus is basketball.

"I have a couple of tournaments to golf in," said Royston, including a State Amateur Qualifier in Lake Arrowhead Monday he will attend with his brother Kyler, "But now the main focus is getting ready for basketball."

Part of the reason Royston chose to go to UW-Oshkosh was the fact he has a good shot to play as a freshman. The downside is Royston will be part of a huge incoming class for Freshmen all looking to get a young team on track.

"We have 10 freshmen coming in," said Royston, including one of his rivals from the 'North' team on Saturday.

"It seems like we have a good class coming in. I want to get in a good group where I can play and have a lot of talent around me."

Royston is the third WDHS player to go on to play basketball at UW-Oshkosh this decade, Jim Capelle wrapping up a stellar four year run in 2007 and Kelsey Myklebust entering her sophomore season with the Titans.