Hopkins Hype

When the Hopkins boys basketball team hits the hardwood for its season opener at Minneapolis Henry tonight, a lot of hype will hit the fan simultaneously. Featuring a starting lineup stacked with four Division I signees, and another D-I prospect, the No. 1 rated Royals have potentially one of the best starting fives in Minnesota hoops history. The key word, of course, is "potentially." Although the Royals are rated No. 22 in USA Today's Super 25, a national preseason poll published in November, there's a full season of challenges ahead that will test the preseason powerhouse's merit. The hype began in the offseason when 6-foot-8 forward Royce White, a Gophers signee who is ranked among the top high school players in the nation, joined the Royals after being dismissed from DeLaSalle High School last year for breaking academic rules. White joined a lineup that already included D-I bound forward Mike Broghammer (Notre Dame), guard Raymond Cowels (Santa Clara) and forward Trent Lockett (Arizona State). Point guard Marcus Williams, a standout defensive back and wide receiver for the Royals football team, may also draw some interest from Division I schools. Every player in the Royals' projected starting lineup is a senior that stands above 6 feet tall. The Royals accepted a rare invitation to play in the elite Nike Super 6 Classic on Feb. 13 in New York. More Royalty: The Hopkins girls basketball and hockey teams are also both ranked No. 1 in the state. The girls basketball team (5-0) is led by sophomore guard Bri Williams and senior forward Kara Elofson. The girls hockey team (6-0) is led by Gopher recruit Becky Kortum, center Cara Johnson and forward Brianna Stephens.