Lady Spartans Undefeated in Region

Vallyn Bernard

The Lady Spartans remain undefeated in region play after beating the Juan Diego Soaring Eagles Jan. 24 in Salt Lake. Though the game was marked by the fewest points scored by the Lady Spartans this year, Emery hammered out a 41–33 victory.

This win improved the Lady Spartans record to 5-0 in region, 12-4 overall, and moved Emery into the top five state rankings for the first time this year.

Jodi Robertson had a game high 15 points, Meagan Pearson and Michonne Robertson each scored 8 points, Abbie Kay and ShiAnne Allred both had 4 points, with Frankie Komar and Lacey Montgomery both adding 1 point. From the 3-point line Meagan made two and Jodi got one.

The Lady Spartans have two regional games this week. The Delta Rabbits come to town Tuesday night, and then the archrival Carbon Dinos get their rematch Thursday night in the Spartan Center. Carbon is 4-1 in region with their only loss being to the Lady Spartans. Thursday night’s game will probably be for the Region 8 Championship crown.

Wrestling Team Down But Not Out

Tamra Luke

The Emery Spartan wrestlers traveled to Duchesne on Jan. 22 where the Spartans lost a hard fought bout. Earning the points for Emery were Clay Collard at 119, Mckay Allred at 125, Mike Jones at 171, and Wade Bohn at 189.
“The kids wrestled well,” said Coach Buck Taylor, “Most of them wrestled two matches.

“Duchesne is a very though team,” continued Coach Taylor, “They are motivated and disciplined. They are on the verge of a 1A state championship. Their coaches know what it means to be there and what it takes to get there. They have great school and community support, which we need.”

The Spartans rose to the challenge and wrestled some very close matches. Coach Taylor said that he was especially impressed with Jace Guymon, wrestling at 145 lbs. for Emery. “Jace is a sophomore and has really stepped up and wrestled really well. He wrestled a very tough kid,” said Coach Taylor. Jace lost by points, but showed incredible heart and stamina by fighting until the very end.

Coach Taylor was pleased with how the wrestlers performed, but he was disappointed when some of his wrestlers weighed in over weight. “There were some valuable lessons learned on the mat and in the locker room about making weight,” said Coach Taylor, “The kids can only go as far as they want to go. The coach can just show them the technique and motivation and what it takes to make championships.”

The wrestlers then traveled to the Pineview tournament on Friday and Saturday. Three of Emery’s senior wrestlers made it to the second day: Mckay Allred, Mike Jones, and Wade Bohn. Mike Jones placed 7th in his weight division and was the only wrestler from Emery to place. Emery placed 18th out of 40 teams at the tournament.

There was a “hard luck” tournament on Saturday for all the wrestlers who didn’t make it past the first day. The Spartans had three wrestlers place in this tournament. Zac Walls placed 1st, Cort Jensen placed 2nd, and Keith Bird placed 3rd.

Coach Taylor said, “They wrestled very, very well. I still live by the motto, ‘winners never quit, and quitters never win.’ I’ve dropped from 23 to 14 kids. Any kid that has stayed on the team is a winner no matter what. Region is two weeks away, and state is in three. It will be interesting to see how far the kids have come at region.”

Assistant coach Tom Hansen said, “Buck’s doing a good job. The kids are wrestling hard and coming on strong.”
Coach Taylor said, “I really appreciate all the support I get from our managers, even if they don’t understand everything.” The team faces two region matches this week. On Wednesday they travel to Juan Diego Catholic High School, and on Friday they face Delta at home. Friday’s match is the Spartan’s last home match of the season and would be a great opportunity for fans to come and support the team.m.tlers.

Spartans Suffer Rough Week at Home

Vallyn Bernard

The Emery Spartans basketball team had a rough week at home losing to the Wasatch Wasps Jan. 22, 71–53, and then to Juan Diego in overtime on Jan. 25, 61- 56.

Against the Wasps, Dempsey Jeffs scored a game high 30 points with two 3-pointers. Jordan Gee had 7 points, Nevin Jensen, 6, Karson Jensen and Cameron Hansen had 3 points each, while Tyler Killpack and Gatlan Huntington both scored 2 points. Nevin, Karson and Jordan each had a 3-pointer.

The Wasps seemed to be hitting on all cylinders building a 20 point lead by halftime. The Spartans were getting good looks at the basket, but just couldn’t get their shots to go down.

Emery led Juan Diego 29 –21 at halftime, and came out to build a 12 point early lead in the third period. Then the wheels came off the Spartans chariot as the Soaring Eagles went on to outscore Emery 18 – 6 in the period. The fourth period ended with Juan Diego missing a 3 pointer at the buzzer, sending the game into overtime tied 50-50. The final seconds of regulation were exciting for everyone as both teams had shots to win the game but couldn’t get them to drop in. Overtime had both teams trading baskets until the final minute when Juan Diego pulled away to win 61-56.

The Spartans had three players in double figures, but lost Dempsey Jeffs early in the game to fouls. Karson Jensen had a great game inside with 15 points, followed by Cameron Hansen off the bench with 14, and Nevin Jensen scoring 12. Tyler Killpack fought for 8 points, with Jordan Gee closing out the scoring with 7 points. Nevin and Jordan were the only Spartans to score a 3 pointer against the Soaring Eagles. It was a tough pill to swallow for the second Friday night in a row for the Spartans.

This week sees the Spartans in two tough region games, and both are in hostile territory. Wednesday night the Spartans travel to face Division 3A’s number 1 ranked Rabbits. Then on Friday night it’s rivalry time again as the Spartans face the Dinos in their house, and I’m sure the Spartans will be looking for revenge.

Pirates Unsuccessful During Homecoming

Brennan Bigelow

On Jan. 25 the young Pirates faced the Monticello Buckaroos. Being a very pivotal game for the Pirates emotions ran high, not to mention it was homecoming week.

As they entered the game the Buckaroos went on a scoring tear and outscored the Pirates by 11 in the first quarter.
The Pirates struggled to stay in the game without Kayden Mecham who had picked up three quick fouls in the first quarter. The Pirates tried to play catch up but the small and physical play of the Buckaroos hindered the Pirates ability to score.

The Bucks went on to win the game 75 – 47. Leading the Pirates were Tyson Johnson and Kayden Mecham with 12 points.

Brennan Bigelow and Luis Mendoza both scored 8. Also contributing was Jason Johnson with 7. The Pirates will travel to Altamont and face the Longhorns on Jan. 31.

Earlier in the week the lady Pirates traveled to Monticello to play the Bucks.

Being a very critical game for the Pirates they needed the win to stay in first place in the region. The ladies were downed by the Buckaroos in a hard fought battle.

The leading scorer for the Pirates was Brandi Webster with 15. Also adding to the score was Crosby Hatt with 6 and Leah Swalberg and Jill Vetere with 4.

The lady Pirates will travel to Altamont with the boys to compete against the Longhorns.

Spardettes Take the Floor

Kathy Ockey

Emery High School had a large attendance at the Region 8 Drill Team competition held Jan. 23. The competition rotates each year between Emery High and Delta High because they are the only schools in the region large enough to hold the crowds that attend.

There were five region teams participating in the competition: the Emery High Spardettes, Carbon High Dynamics, Delta High Tri-Dels, Juan Diego Silverline and North Sanpete Spiriteers.

Emotions run high at the drill competitions and the participants practice almost year round. It is a physically demanding competition and the girls have to work hard to be able to compete with the other teams.
Emery High placed second in the overall competition, impressing the crowd with their abilities, but the team was disappointed because they placed first in this category last year. The first place honor this year went to North Sanpete and third place went to Delta.

Emery High also placed second in Military Dance, second in the Dance category, and first in Novelty dance with their theme, “Night at the Movies.” The novelty category is always a favorite with the crowd.

Emery’s winner in the Drill down was Krystal Richardson, who came in second place. Emery Senior Spardette, Mallorie Mason, was also chosen for the All-State Drill Team.

Amanda Frandsen is the director of the Emery High Drill team and Mallorie Mason is the drill mistress. Others on the team include: Heather Madsen, Shalee Scow, Jessica Labrum, Megan Allred, Krystal Richardson, Chalet Hooley, Kara Stilson, Meran Allred, McCall Spears, Devyn Mann, Miranda Stokes, TyLynn Webster, Leisha Magnuson, Shelby Huntington, Jaylene Mangum and AnnDee Adams.