12/27 - 7:00 PM Boys Basketball Final Nathan Hale 95 Central Catholic 65 Complete Box Score »

HILLSBORO – Nathan Hale’s starting lineup was introduced, one by one, by the Les Schwab Invitational public address announcer prior to Tuesday night’s first-round game against Central Catholic, as is custom.

What was a little outside the box for the Raiders’ game at Liberty High School was the addition of a warm introduction to Nathan Hale’s coach, former Portland Trail Blazers star Brandon Roy.

“I wasn’t expecting that. It’s our sixth game and they usually just say, ‘Coach Brandon Roy.’ I thought it was cool. Nice of the fans, too,” Roy said. “There’s been some really good memories here. Just driving in, the memories started coming back. It was almost like I was still playing.”

Roy returned to the Portland spotlight for the first time since his knees gave out at the end of a seven-year NBA career, which included five years in Portland. Roy’s run in Portland was short, but nearly as prolific as any Blazer in history, as he was a three-time All-Star and a Rookie of the Year while playing for the franchise from 2006-11.

Now, after a few years on the sideline, Roy has recharged his basketball battery and appears ready for a second career in the sport. The Raiders will be in the spotlight a lot this season, as they’re ranked No. 6 in the country by MaxPreps, and they're one of the LSI favorites, particularly after a routine 95-65 first-round win over Central Catholic.

Roy was named Nathan Hale’s coach in June, taking over a program that had gone through five coaches in five years. The Raiders were 3-18 last season, but as soon as Roy was named coach, the team’s fortunes for the 2016-17 season soared.

During the summer, seven prominent players transferred to Nathan Hale, most notably Michael Porter Jr., the country’s most sought-after recruit for the Class of 2017. The 6-foot-9 Porter Jr., who scored 37 points and grabbed 22 rebounds against Central Catholic, signed with Washington in November.

Nathan Hale’s starting lineup against the Rams included five transfers.

Roy said “it’s an adjustment,” and not just because the team has many new faces. Roy is new to the high school game as a coach, too, in a role where he’s never had to do things such as order uniforms, check grades and make sure players' home lives are stable.

“It’s a total adjustment,” Roy said. “The things in the locker room are the same. Kids are goofy, joking around. They don’t know as much about the world as you do at the NBA level, but they’re still really smart kids.”

Roy says he’s rarely asked by the players about his NBA career. After all, most were in grade school when Roy’s career was nearing a close.

“They barely bring it up,” Roy said. “One time in the locker room, I think (Porter Jr.) was getting tape up, and he said, ‘Did you win a state championship?’ I said, ‘Uh, no.’ Why not? It kind of takes me back, little stuff like that.”

Roy said because of Nathan Hale’s national marquee status this season, the Raiders had multiple options for Christmas holiday tournaments, including Florida.

“I thought it would be good to come to Portland. My kids are down here. I told our guys it’s a great environment. I’ve been here before,” Roy said.

Roy is uncertain where his coaching career will go. He said he wanted to start with high school basketball, because “I feel like I have a chance to have an impact. I can work on myself and better myself to be a good coach.”

Could college or the NBA be next for Roy?

“I don’t know. The biggest thing is committing to being back on a team. I’ve been kind of out of anything consistently for four or five years. I’m ready to work this thing every day,” he said. “I don’t know where the destination is going to lead. I’m happy. My kids are settled, and that’s the biggest thing. They’re in schools that they like.

“I know when you go to the next level, the job is a little more demanding, so I’m happy where I’m at.”

Roy’s coaching style, at least Tuesday night, was subdued. He only got off the bench during timeouts, coaching during the action while seated. Roy says he’s not always like that; in the bigger games, he’ll be up pacing the sideline, but he doesn’t overdo it.

“I try to let the guys figure it out. I don’t want them to always look at me in situations. After the game, we try to teach a lot,” he said.

“Besides, people are here to see them, not me.”

Nathan Hale was never threatened by Central Catholic. Porter Jr. scored 22 points in the first half as the Raiders staked themselves to a 54-23 lead.

Porter Jr. led a third-quarter dunkfest, scoring 15 of the team’s 25 points as Nathan Hale extended its lead to 41 points.

The Rams had four players score in double figures, led by Malik Thirdgill with 15 points and Amari Hale with 14.

Nathan Hale advances to the LSI quarterfinals, facing Clackamas at 9 p.m. Wednesday. Central Catholic drops to the consolation bracket, where the Rams will play Beaverton at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.

--Nick Daschel

ndaschel@oregonian.com

@nickdaschel