Lady Spartans cruise past Wildcats, stomp Ravens
Vallyn Bernard
The Lady Spartans seemed to work out some of the early season bugs this week as they added two victories to their win column. On Tuesday night Richfield came to town, and the Lady Spartans dropped in eight 3-pointers, along with four players in double figures to defeat the Wildcats 61–48.
Scoring from the 3-point line were Frankie Komar and Meagan Pearson both with 3, along with Lacey Montgomery and Jodi Robertson each tossing one down.
After a close first quarter, the Lady Spartans outscored the Wildcats by 17 in the second period to take a 38–23 lead into halftime, and they never looked back.
The four Lady Spartans in double figures were Jodi Robertson 16, Frankie Komar 13, Meagan Pearson 11, and Michonne Robertson with 10. Other Lady Spartans scoring were Sierra Bridgewater 4, Lacey Montgomery 3, and Abbie Kay and Tiffany Tuttle with 2 each.
On Thursday night the Lady Spartans faced the Waterford Ravens. Waterford is a private school in Sandy that has moved up to the 3A class this year. It certainly was a baptism by fire for the Ravens as the Lady Spartans dominated this game from the opening tip off. Emery jumped out to a 20–8 lead in the first period, and sadly for the Ravens their 8 points were more than half of the total points they scored all game.
The second quarter saw the Lady Spartans add 22 points to their score while holding the Ravens to only one basket, and a total of 3 points. With a lead of 42–11, this game was over at half time for the Ravens. In the third period the Lady Spartans didn’t allow a single basket by the Ravens and only one free throw. The fourth quarter didn’t get much better for the Ravens with only one basket and one free throw. Amazingly, the Lady Spartan defense only allowed two baskets from the first period on, or a total of 7 points for three quarters. The final score of the game was 72–15.
Eight 3-pointers were scored with four players each popping in two. Downtowners included Lacey Montgomery, Jodi Robertson, Frankie Komar, and Meagan Pearson. Leading score for the Lady Spartans against the Ravens was Meagan Pearson, with 13, followed closely by Frankie Komar’s 12 points. Scoring was very balanced from the Lady Spartans with Lacey Montgomery, Jodi Robertson, Michonne Robertson, and Sierra Bridgewater all having 8 points. Abbie Kay and Tiffany Tuttle had 6 points each, with Adriane Weihing adding 2, and Jessica Murray closing out the scoring with one point. I can’t see how a coach could ask for a much better balanced attack.
This coming week will be the acid test for the Lady Spartans starting with a home game on Tuesday night against Unitah. Then the Lady Spartans will travel south for three tough games. Thursday night will be Pine View in St. George followed by Dixie Friday evening. Saturday afternoon at 4 pm. is the tip off time for the game against Cedar in Cedar City. The grit of the Lady Spartans will be tested this week.
Spartans win one, drop one in Coal Country Classic
Vallyn Bernard
This past weekend the Spartans hosted their 11th annual Coal Country Classic. Playing at the Spartan Center along with the Spartans were the Unitah Utes, North Sanpete Hawks, Carbon Dinos, Park City Miners, Morgan Trojans, Canyon View Falcons, and Cedar City Redmen. Besides the exciting games, players and fans got to enjoy 3-point shooting and dunking contests, along with a Dutch oven dinner on Saturday.
The Spartans don’t have a lot of height this year, so Coach Jeffs is looking for good ball control, defense, and 3-point shooting to keep the Spartans competitive.
Against Canyon View on Friday night the Falcons slowed the game down, which played right into the hands of the Spartans as Nevin Jensen and Jordan Gee both had hot hands from the 3-point line, draining three each. With Nevin and Jordan lighting it up from the north 40 in the first period, they put the Spartans up 13–7. Even though the Falcons pecked away at the lead the rest of the game, they never seemed able to mount any serious scoring runs. At the final horn the Falcons were still one 3-pointer down giving the Spartans an exciting 43–40 victory.
One of the major keys to this win was the Spartans balanced attack with Nevin Jensen, Dempsey Jeffs, and Jordan Gee all scoring 11 points. Karson Jensen had 6 points with Cameron Hansen and Kyle Johansen rounding out the scoring with 2 each.
Saturday night matched the Spartans up against the Trojans from Morgan. This go-round found the Spartans down 16 to 6 at the end of the first period and having to play catch up. With 17 points in the second quarter Emery pulled to within 2 points and went into halftime down 25 – 23. The third quarter was the Achilles Heel in this game as the Spartans only recorded 3 points to the Trojans 17.
Down by 19 points going into the final quarter resulted in a jailhouse break by the Spartans, who scored over half of their total points for the game in an all out event to close the gap on the Trojans. In an unbelievable effort the Spartans tallied 30 points in the final quarter, but still fell short 56–63.
Over half of the Spartan points came from the 3-point line with six players scoring a total of 10 baskets from beyond the arc for 30 points. Downtowners included Dempsey Jeffs and Karson Jensen with 3 each, Nevin Jensen added 2, Jordan Gee, Cameron Hansen, and Gatlan Huntington each tossed in one.
The leading scorers against the Trojans in double figures were Dempsey Jeffs with 16, and Karson Jensen’s 13 points. Other players getting in the record books were Nevin Jensen, 8; Kyle Johansen, 5; Cameron Hansen, 5; Jordan Gee, 4; and Gatlan Huntington 3.
The Spartans only have one game this week against Hurricane on Dec.13 at 8 p.m. If the Spartans keep their hot hands scoring 3-pointers, it could be a long drive home for the Hurricane Tigers.
Wrestling team pushes for perfection on the mat
James L. Davis
The wrestlers stumble into practice before the sun comes up with grunts and groans that have more to do with tired eyes than sore muscles.
“Who do I get to wrestle?” One Spartan asks as he makes his way to the mat, where Coach Buck Taylor is waiting for him with far too much enthusiasm for 6:30 in the morning.
“Me,” the coach says good naturedly.
“Dang it,” is the reply as the wrestler hits the mat.
On a week without a wrestling meet the word is practice and Coach Taylor is big on practice. As the Spartan wrestling team moans and groans and limbers up the coach tries to drill into their head techniques that will make them better wrestlers.
“That’s why we’re doing two a day practices, technique. That’s the good thing about morning practices, they’re too tired to wrestle so they listen,” Taylor said.
Coming off the Carbon Duals on Dec. 1, Coach Taylor is proud of his team but wants to push them to be more competitive. Individually the team did well in the tournament, with McKay Allred, 125, taking first place in his class with a 9-0 record, Wade Bohn, 215, taking first in his class with an 8-1 record, and Clay Collard, 125; Landon Huntsman, 160; and Cyal Christmas, 285 placing third in their weight classes in the tournament where the Spartans wrestled against nine other schools.
“The points don’t show it on the board, but we did really well,” Taylor said.
With the Spartans set to face North Sevier at home on Dec. 13 and then head for Manti for a tournament on Dec. 14-15, Coach Taylor wants his wrestlers ready and to get them ready he is on the mat with them, wrestling right along side of them. The coach said getting involved, being on the mat wrestling with the team is the only way he knows to coach and the fact that he isn’t asking his wrestlers to do anything that he isn’t willing to do himself motivates them, even if it doesn’t stop the early morning grunts and groans.
“The Spardettes do morning practices,” Taylor said, trying a little reverse psychology that goes nowhere with the blurry-eyed wrestlers.
“Yeah, but the Spardettes don’t beat the crap out of each other,” Cyal Christmas responded.
Lady Pirates roll past defending state champions
Brennan Bigelow
The Lady Pirates faced the defending champion Tabiona Tigers on Dec. 6.
Last year the Tigers won the girls 1A state championship but, with only one returning starter from last year the Tigers were a new team and the Pirates were ready to play.
The Pirates outscored the Tigers by three in the first quarter and that first quarter lead propelled the Pirates to outscore the Tigers in every quarter.
The tall line-up of Green River proved to be a little too much for Tabiona’s post players. The Pirates went on to defeat the Tigers 60-36. Brandi Webster led all other scorers with 30 points. Savannah Gines scored 18 with three 3-pointers. Jill Vetere and Crosby Hatt both added 10 to the Pirates score. Leah Swalberg scored 6 points while Sarah Swalberg and Bailie Packer both contributed 2 points.
Pirates still searching for first win
Brennan Bigelow
Last week the Green River Pirates headed to Richfield in search of their first win of the season as they faced off against to the Milford Tigers and the Bryce Valley Mustangs.
The first game against Milford on Dec. 7 was a hard fought nail biter. The Pirates jumped out ahead in the first quarter with a slow half court game and held onto the lead throughout the second quarter.
With a 1-point lead at the half the Pirates were looking to win the game but when the third quarter rolled out the Pirates lost the lead and played catch-up for the rest of the quarter. When the final quarter arrived the Pirates were down and the Tigers outscored them by 6 to sink the Pirates 40-34.
Leading all scorers was Brennan Bigelow with 19. Tyson Johnson scored 6, Kayden Mecham had 3, Jason Johnson scored 4, and Holden Marshall had 2 in the loss.
Still looking for a win Green River faced off against the Bryce Valley Mustangs on Dec. 8. The Pirates and the Mustangs played teeter-totter with the lead through much of the first quarter. The Pirates ran their half court game and began to execute on the Mustangs. When the second quarter showed up the Pirates were up by 4. By the end of the first half four Pirates were in foul trouble. The Mustangs went on a scoring tear and outscored the Pirates by 13 points. The Pirates tried to close the gap most of the game but failed and the Pirates left the court still in search of that elusive win as they fell to the Mustangs 56-41.
Leading scorer was the Mustang’s Kaden Chynoweth with 34 points. Leading the Pirates was Kaden Mecham with 12, Marshall with 9, J. Johnson with 7, Bigelow with 8, T. Johnson with 4 and Earl Nelson with 1 point.
The Pirates will face the Wayne Badgers and Whitehorse Raiders on Dec. 13 and 14.
Barrel racers finish fall series in Castle Dale
Amy Adams
Barrel racing came back to the Castle Dale Arena for a fall series. Starting on Oct. 2 and running on Tuesday nights through Nov. 27 barrel racers competed each Tuesday for prize money and accumulated points for the series. Winners of the series were awarded prizes in four divisions at the last race held on Nov. 27.
Winning the series 1D was Angie McCourt. Angie won three of the eight races and ran second in one race to earn control of the series. Angie’s great gelding Magulla Gurulla come up sore before the sixth race making it necessary for him to have time off but Angie had enough points to hold on to the 1D win. Angie, a mother of three came from Miller Creek to compete.
Elise Hall moved back to Castle Dale this summer because she wanted to be in a town with an indoor arena. She was victorious in winning the first race of the series and placed enough to be in third place before the last race. A second place win on the final night moved her to second in the 1D for the series.
AnnDee Adams rode her young horse Gridiron Magic to a third place win. AnnDee a junior at Emery High School had some tough luck when the series first started when her horse failed to complete the pattern twice. She came back in a big way and placed second three times to earn points toward the win.
Shawnalee Hinkins competed on three horses during the course of the series and was the series champion of the 2D. Shawnalee lives in Ferron. Riding horses Bullseye and Scooter and then Julie who is owned by Leonard Prowse helped her cinch the win. Shawnalee is a repeat winner with a win in the 3D also.
The last two weeks of the series was dominated in great fashion by Barbara West. She won the race on November 22 with a 16.798 which was the fastest time of the series. She came back on November 28 with a 16.945 for a repeat first place win. Series awards were awarded according to which division you had placed the most in and Barbara picked up second place in the 2D. Barbara hails from Price.
Ninth grader Erin Gordon, Huntington, was third in the second division. Riding One Calorie Tab Erin held in there for the win.
Jackie McCourt of Price ran well in the second division but was higher in points in the third division so took home the prize for first in the third division. Trisha Jensen made the trip from Cleveland each week to hold on to second in the third division. Shawnalee Hinkins picked up her second series award for third in the third division.
Destiny Crane came from Salina to compete on a young horse during the series, she took home fourth division first place honors for making the trip. Destiny was great to help make the awards a possibility including making sure the prizes were there the final night.
A newcomer to barrel racing, Pam Rauhala, Wellington, kept coming and competing through out the series and ended up second in the fourth division. It is always fun to see people just getting started.
Race producer Amy Adams hadn’t seen Natalie Anderson, Ferron at a barrel for a few years. She came back with a new horse and rounded out the winners with third in the final division. She probably had the biggest showing the last race when her horse ran in the second division rather than the fourth division for a great series finish.
The nice thing about divisions in a series is that is allows for new riders, new horses or a combination of both to start competing, improve and win while they are at it
All races were paid as 4D races, points were accumulated from each race to determine the series champions. First place awards were wool pads with cowhide trim, hat boxes with $100 gift certificates so the winners could pick the hat of their choice from Burns Saddlery in Salina were given for second and winter horse blankets for third place. The blankets were in loud fun colors in keeping with the Running for Fun theme that denotes what races in Castle Dale are all about.
The open racers were not the only contestants in the game, youth runners under the age of 15 competed in a youth race. Division winners received bronc halters while second place finishers received overreach boots and polo wraps in bright colors for their horses.
A pair of buckskin horses dominated the youth race, Haylie Cloward, Castle Dale and Erin Gordon won the first division for first and second.
Alexis Hall, sixth grade daughter of Elise Hall who placed in the open was victorious in the 2D youth. Hadley Cloward, a brother to Hailey was second.
Each contestant had to compete in five of the eight races to be eligible for series awards. Teigan Adams, competed on different horses throughout the series and missed a race or two because of school obligations at San Rafael Jr. High but was able to hold on to the third division first place win. Katrina Basso, Price was second.
Hayden Cloward rounded out the three H’ to win the fourth division. Arena announcers struggled to keep Haylie, Hadley and Hayden straight throughout the race. Parents Cory and Shannon Cloward stayed busy helping all three make their runs.
The race each night was started with a PeeWee competition. PeeWee runners are under the age of 8 Each night they were awarded with a small prize and at the end of the series each received a bucket containing a brush, hoof pick, beanie hat and candy. PeeWee runners were Hayden Cloward, Dax Hall, Rance Jensen, Dalton Anderson, Montana Allred and Morgan Jensen.
The Castle Dale arena is earning a reputation for great ground and good barrel racing with a relaxed atmosphere. All the barrel racers regularly express to race producers Amy Adams and Shawnalee Hinkins how glad they are to have such a great place to come and compete. Hats off to Castle Dale for making it a reality.
Race producers are quick to say that these races are made possible ith the help of all their family members. From tractor drivers, gate men, barrel setters, arena secretaries and announcers all the help allows the producers to also compete.
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