Lady Spartans claim region crown
Vallyn Bernard
The Lady Spartans game against the Carbon Dinos on Jan. 31 had a lot more on the line than just a rivalry game or bragging rights. Emery and Carbon were ranked number one and number two in Region 8 going into the game, and as much as anything else, the region crown lay on the line. Even with all that going on there’s nothing like a good grudge match to pack a house.
Carbon started the game hot and held a slim 2 point lead at the end of the first period, but by halftime the Lady Spartans had settled into their game to take a 24–21 lead to the locker room at half time.
The second half was just as intense with Emery adding a few more points to their lead by the 3rd period. The Dinos never gave up and fought tooth and claw to the final buzzer with the Lady Spartans finally chalking up a hard fought victory with a score of 52-43.
Meagan Pearson again had a game high 16 points with three baskets from the parking lot as Michonne Robertson added 10 hard earned points from the paint. Frankie Komar had one 3-pointer as part of her 8 points, with Jodi Robertson scoring 8 points, ShiAnne Allred scoring 6 points and Abbie Kay closed out the scoring for the Lady Spartans with 4 points.
This win gave the Lady Spartans a sweep over their rival Dinos this season, a 7-0 record in region, a second place state ranking, and most important, the 3A Region 8 Championship for the third year in a row.
The Lady Spartans have their final region game Tuesday against the North Sanpete Hawks at Mt. Pleasant with the final game of the season coming against Wasatch on Feb 12 for a game before the state playoffs begin on Feb 15. With the Lady Spartans sporting a record of 7-0 in region, 14-4 overall, I personally think Vegas will give you pretty good odds on Wasatch not showing up and taking a chance on losing their number one ranking to the Lady Spartans before the playoffs.
Lady Spartans cruise pas Rabbits
Vallyn Bernard
The Delta Rabbits were in the Spartan Center Jan. 30 for their last meeting with the Lady Spartans this season. It was another of those games where Emery built a huge lead right out of the gate, making it easy on the Spartan fans, but giving the coaches a challenge.
Against the Rabbits the Lady Spartans cruised to a 41–24 lead at halftime. The 3rd period saw the starters, helping Emery hold Delta to only 5 points and build a commanding 52–29 lead by the end of the period. With the coaches giving some of the less experienced players a chance to get as many varsity minutes as possible, the Rabbits were able to close the gap in the 4th period. The final score was Lady Spartans 62, Rabbits 50.
Meagan Pearson had a game high 18 points with 4 baskets from downtown. Jodi Robertson was in double figures with 15 points, followed by Frankie Komar, who had one 3-pointer for part of her 7 points. Others scoring for Emery were Abbie Kay, 7 points; ShiAnne Allred 6 points; Michonne Robertson 6 points; Lacey Montgomery 2 points; and Courtney Tuttle with 1 point.
Spartans fall to Rabbits, sweep Dinos
Vallyn Bernard
Last week the Spartans traveled for two region games. On Jan. 30 they faced the Delta Rabbits, ranked number one in the state, and lost 68-40. On Feb. 1 they had the Emery faithful cheering them on at the Dino’s Den in Price.
Against the Rabbits Dempsey Jeffs scored 16 points, while Karson Jensen also tallied double figures with 12 points. Others scoring for the Spartans were Nevin Jensen with 5 points, along with Cameron Hansen, Tyler Killpack and Jordan Gee each adding 2 points, and Gatlan Huntington getting 1 point.
The long distance scoring came from Karson’s two long balls, and Dempsey also dropping in one from downtown.
Friday night the Spartans faced the Dinos for their second go-round this season, with home court advantage in favor of the Dinos, who had visions of revenge dancing in their heads after Emery won the first game this year in the Spartan Center.
Things started out very bad for the Dinos as the Spartans jumped out to a 19-8 lead in the 1st period, which basically sealed the fate for the scrapping Carbon team. Halftime had the Spartans up 34-26, leaving a big hill to climb for the Dinos after the break. In a typical Carbon/Emery game there was no letup in an intense game played between friends and family separated by a county line. At the final buzzer the Spartans had completed a sweep and claimed the bragging rights this season against the Dinos with a 69-56 win.
Dempsey Jeffs had a great game for the Spartans with 25 points, and two baskets from Carbon Avenue. Jordan Gee had a hot hand scoring 20 points, and pretty much broke the Dinos backs by making three down-towners in a row during the 3rd period when Carbon was making a run at the Spartans. Gatlan Huntington had the only other 3-pointer on his way to 7 points, while Nevin Jensen got 6 points, Karson Jensen 5 points, and Tyler Killpack, Colton Barnett and Cameron Hansen each with 2 points.
The Spartans final two games of this season are Wednesday night against North Sanpete, and Saturday night with Grand High School coming to the Spartan Center for senior night.
Spartans hit the mat against Juan Diego
Tamra Luke
The Emery High Wrestling team traveled to Juan Diego Catholic High School on Jan. 30.
Emery dominated the match, winning all but two of the matches that night. “They wrestled very, very well,” said Coach Buck Taylor.
On Feb. 1 the Spartans hosted Delta High School. This was the last home match for the Spartans. Before the match Coach Taylor honored Emery High’s seniors and their parents. Emery High has six seniors this year: Mckay Allred is wrestling his fourth season for Emery at 125 pounds, Cade Whittle is wrestling his third season at 145 pounds, Mike Jones is wrestling his third season at 171 pounds, Wade Bohn is wrestling his third season at 189 pounds, Kenny Baker is wrestling his first season at 215 pounds, and Cyal Christmas is wrestling his third season at 285 pounds.
Coach Taylor also recognized this year’s managers. Helping the Spartans this year were Holly Hatch, Megan Singleton, Janelle Urie, Kelsey Farnsworth, and Tamra Luke. “Without these girls I would lose my head,” the coach said.
The Spartans won six of their matches against Delta, but lost as a team. Winning these matches for the Spartans were Zac Walls (119), Mckay Allred (125), Cade Whittle (145), Wade Bohn (189), and Kenny Baker (215).
Coach Taylor said, “They did really well against such a tough competitor. Without the 18 points we gave away it would have been a close match.” The Spartans travel to Delta for their region tournament this weekend. “It will be interesting to see who steps up next week at region to go to state,” said Coach Taylor.
Emery has had a great season so far and continues to improve. This week they wrestle their last match before region at Carbon, and then they will prepare for the state tournament Feb. 14-16 at Utah Valley State College.
Lady Pirates crush Cougars
Brennan Bigelow
The Lady Pirates battled the Monument Valley Cougars on Feb. 2 and right from the start they showed their dominance.
The Lady Pirates outscored the Cougars throughout much of the game. The post presence proved to be way too much for the smaller Cougars. After outscoring the Cougars by 23 in the first half the lady Pirates kept flexing their scoring muscle, eventually ending the game with a 74-39 win.
Leading the massacre was Brandi Webster with 28 points for the Pirates. Also scoring in double figures was Cady Mecham with 14. Other scorers were Leah Swalberg, Crosby Hatt and Bailie Packer, each adding 8 points. Each scoring 4 points were Melissa Antillion and Sarah Swalberg, and dropping in 2 points was Jill Vetere.
The Lady Pirates will play one more region game against Navajo Mountain in Green River on Feb. 8. If the Pirates come out victorious they will have a playoff with Monticello on Feb. 9 in Moab to determine who will be the region champs.
Pirates clinch playoff spot
Brennan Bigelow
The Pirates basketball team challenged their region opponent the Monument Valley Cougars at home on Feb. 2.
The Pirates started the game off shooting well and handling the ball, which lead the Pirates to take a 22–9 lead in the first quarter. After a sketchy second quarter, the Pirates still maintained their lead and continued to outscore the Cougars.
Although it was a hard fought battle by the Cougars, the Pirates still came out on top with an 82-56 win.
All five scorers for the Pirates scored in double digits. Leading the charge was Tyson Johnson with 24 points. Also contributing to the region win was Brennan Bigelow with 17, Jason Johnson with 16, Luis Mendoza with 13 and Kayden Mecham came in with a strong 12 points.
The Pirates are now assured a playoff spot to get into the 1A State Tournament.
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