Coming off a 10-day break since their last game, the Seneca Royals boys basketball team was faced with a very tall task in their first game back in facing the top ranked team in D5 in the North Crawford Trojans on the road last Tuesday, Jan. 6.

The Trojans showed why they worthy of their top ranking as they handed the Royals a 71-48 defeat. Seneca was paced in scoring by senior Gage Wall with 21 points on 10 of 16 shooting from the field. Also tallying points in the contest for the Royals was senior Kaden Roberts (eight points), senior Hunter Hagensick (seven points), senior Jackson Konichek (five points and a team high eight rebounds), sophomore Basil Hall (three points), junior Owen George (two points) and sophomore Aidan Payne (two points).

Seneca wrapped up the week three nights later by hosting Wauzeka-Steuben. The Royals jumped quickly out of the gates to take a 46-7 halftime lead on the Hornets before W-S rallied a bit in the second half to outscore Seneca 41-24. Despite being out scored in the second half, the Royals earned a decisive 70-48 victory over Wauzeka-Steuben.

Seneca had three players reach double figures in scoring in the win. They were led by Konichek and Roberts with 19 points each (Konicheck also added a team high 12 rebounds while Roberts made a team high five three-point baskets) and Hagensick with 15 points. Wall (eight points), senior Carson Sime (four points), George (three points) and Hall (two points) rounded out the Royal scoring total. In addition to his eight points, Wall also added seven rebounds and seven assists for the near triple-double.

Seneca improved their record to 4-6 overall, 1-3 in the Ridge & Valley Conference, while Wauzeka-Steuben fell to 1-5 overall and 1-1 in conference play.

The Royals have a light week this week with only one game currently scheuled. Seneca will travel to Ithaca this Thursday night to face the Bulldogs at 7:15 p.m.