Trinity鈥檚 Royce Williams not letting transfer slow him down
MANCHESTER, N.H. (BVM) — After Royce Williams transferred from Central High School to Trinity last season, the rivalry game between the two schools would look much different. Now in his second year at the school, Williams is starting to feel much more at home.
鈥淐oming this year I just feel a lot more comfortable,鈥� Williams said of his transfer from Central to Trinity. 鈥淭he first year when I transferred, I still felt comfortable, [but] Trinity took me in with open arms and made me feel like I had been there my whole three years, and this year it just feels normal. It feels like a place I can call home now.鈥�
Williams was looking for a change of scenery when he made his mind up on transferring from his former school. After going over options, like returning to his birthplace of Florida, Williams and his family decided that staying local and joining a program with a new coach would provide a much–needed fresh start.
For the incoming junior, the move to his new school would pay dividends on the court early on. After playing sparingly on the varsity team his first two years at Central, Williams would take off in his opening year at Trinity becoming the leading scorer in Division I with 21.5 points per game.
鈥淗e鈥檚 one of the best scorers I鈥檝e seen, he鈥檚 dangerous,鈥� Trinity coach Keith Bike said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 still learning all aspects of the game, all facets, but he鈥檚 gotten better. [His] practice habits have gotten better and on the defensive end, he鈥檚 averaging like six steals a game.聽
鈥淗e鈥檚 one of these kids I wish I had him his freshman year and could stick with me for all four years, but it鈥檚 been a quick experience with him and I鈥檓 trying to prepare him as much as I can for him to play at the next level.鈥�
Even with the division’s leading scorer, Trinity would finish with a 5-14 record in their 2019-20 season. Heading into this year, the Pioneers鈥� coach wanted to help change the mindset for his senior guard.
鈥淟ast year, it really set on [Royce] that, 鈥業 led the state in scoring but I was on a losing team,鈥欌�� Bike said. 鈥淭his year, he鈥檚 leading the state in scoring and he鈥檚 on a winning team and I think that鈥檚 important to him and I think he鈥檚 recognized that.聽
鈥淒o you want to be known as the guy leading the state in scoring on a team that doesn鈥檛 win or do you want to be known as the guy who鈥檚 leading the state in scoring on a winning team? That鈥檚 really what we tried to preach to him so he’s changed a little bit of his habits.鈥�
The idea has been an important one for Williams who has the Pioneers off to a great start in the team鈥檚 shortened season as he averages close to 26 points per game. With his focus set on winning, he still has his eyes set on some big individual goals this year like winning Gatorade Player of the Year, but he鈥檚 looking forward to the chance at bringing a state title home.
鈥淟ast year, we didn’t make the playoffs,鈥� Williams said. 鈥淲e had a terrible record. This year, we鈥檙e off to a great start and I hope we keep it going that way. I want to make the playoffs and make a good run through the playoffs, especially because I鈥檓 a senior and I want to end off my year with a bang. Hopefully even win the whole thing.鈥�
Without a normal offseason, it’s been impressive for many to see where the senior has taken his game.
鈥淚 wish we had 10-15 more games because I think you would see something much better than even last year and last year he had a great year,鈥� Bike said.
With his focus on this season, Williams is still looking toward his basketball future and he has a supporter in his head coach. With everything on the table, Williams is preparing for a post-graduate year, before making the jump to the next level.
鈥淗e can definitely play,鈥� Bike said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 just a matter of a higher-level school taking a risk on him because he can put the ball in the basket, there鈥檚 no question about that.鈥�