BBK: Mkpado sparks Royals to season-opening win

Kele Mkpado scored 18 points, powering San Marcos to a 73-60 season-opening basketball win at Pioneer Valley on Tuesday night in Landon Boucher’s debut as coach of the Royals.

Mkpado and Scott Everman threw down dunks to highlight a first-quarter run that erased a 7-2 deficit and pushed the Royals to a 19-12 lead. The lead expanded to 15 points by halftime and grew to 20 in the second half.

Scott Everman and Ryan McCarthy each scored 14 points and Peter Durak added nine points. Connor Everman handed out five assists and had four steals.

The Royals play their home opener on Saturday night against Nipomo.