Lady Spartans dominate in 3 games, lose 1 in squeaker

Vallyn Bernard

In a busy week the Lady Spartans poured in 217 points on their way to three lopsided wins and one heartbreaking two point loss. On Dec. 11 at home the Utes from Uintah were soundly beaten 58 to 22 as the Lady Spartans scored on eight 3-pointers and had three players in double figures.
Dec. 13 had the Lady Spartans in St. George playing the Pine View Panthers, and again coasting to an easy 5–25 win with 11 players scoring. Against the Dixie Flyers the 4th quarter proved to be the back breaker with Dixie coming from behind to squeak out a two point victory.
In Cedar City on Dec. 15 the Lady Spartans were back in the saddle as they rolled past the Redmen 59–27 for their sixth win this season. Meagan Pearson led the team with 16 points, while Jodi and Michonne Robertson both added 13 points.
For one week, here are some pretty impressive numbers for the record books: Jodi Robertson, 49 points in double figures in all four games, with eight 3 points, Michonne Robertson, 40 points, Meagan Pearson, 36 points with six 3 pointers, Frankie Komar, 19 pts w/ two 3 pointers, Lacey Montgomery, 23 points w/ two 3 pointers, ShiAnne Allred, 11 pts, Caitlin Hansen, 10 pts, Jenni Stinson 7 points with two 3 pointers, Sierra Bridgewater, 12 points Tiffany Tuttle, Adrianne Weihing, and Abbie Kay each had 3 points.
Wow, 217 points scored by 12 different players with 20 baskets from downtown. If that doesn’t make a coach smile I’m not sure what will. With balanced scoring, and good defense, the Lady Spartans are beginning to make their mark again this season.
The Lady Spartans have two home games this week. Tuesday night against the Grantsville Cowboys, and then the Wasatch Wasps show up Thursday evening. The Wasps thumped the Spartan football team in the second round of the state playoffs this year. Maybe the Lady Spartans can return the favor Thursday night at the Spartan Center. I’m sure these hard working ladies would like to hear you cheering them on this week.

Vallyn Bernard

Draining a 3-pointer with only a few seconds to go in the game, the Tigers clawed out a victory over the Spartans last Thursday night. The Spartans had a little trouble hanging onto the ball in the first quarter, but still ended up taking a 21 to 19 lead into halftime. The second half seemed to belong to the Tigers until about half way through the 4th quarter when the Spartans put both their offensive and defensive games together to rally back into the contest. With only about 10 seconds to go in the game, Dempsey Jeffs hit a 3 pointer to tie the game, which brought everyone in the Spartan Center to their feet. Unfortunately, Hurricane beat the Emery press, and got the ball down court for a long 3-pointer from the left side with just seconds remaining.
Dempsey Jeffs led all players with 23 points, with three baskets from downtown. Others scoring for the Spartans were Karson Jensen 6, Kyle Johansen 4, Tyler Killpack 3, Jordan Gee 3, and Nevin Jensen making one 3 pointer.
The Spartans look to right their ship this week with away games against Dixie, in St George, on Thursday night, and Cedar, in Cedar, Friday. Both games tip off at 7 p.m. The next time we get to see the Spartans at home will be on Jan. 11 for a region game against the Delta Rabbits.

Spartans face grueling week of wrestling

James L. Davis

The Emery High Wrestling Team faced a brutal week on the mat as they faced North Sevier at home on Dec. 13 only to travel to Manti for a two day tournament there on Dec. 14-15.
With a team plagued with injuries, the Spartans still held their own with individual wrestlers continuing to dominate their weight class.
Against North Sevier at home Coach Buck Taylor said his team competed fairly well. With injuries keeping wrestlers Landon Huntsman, 160; Mike Jones, 189; Caleb Jones, 285; and Cyal Christmas off the mat, the team score against North Sevier was a little lopsided, with North Sevier winning 52-24, but individually four of the Spartans came away with wins.
McKay Allred, 125, continued his winning ways, pinning his opponent and Clay Collard, 125, Wade Bohn, 215, and Kenny Baker, 215 all won their matches against North Sevier.
Traveling the next day for the Manti Tournament the Spartans joined Manti, Altamont, American Leadership Academy, Fremont, Juab, Monticello, Gunnison, North Sevier, South Sanpete and North Sanpete on the mat for the two-day tournament.
“It hurt us not having our normal varsity team but the junior varsity stepped up and did very well,” said Coach Taylor. “I was proud of them.”
Wrestling four matches each day, individually there were some outstanding performances and again McKay Allred led the way, going 8-0 in the tournament.
“He pinned everybody. He’s only had two points scored against him. He takes them down, works them over and pins them,” Coach Taylor said.
Wade Bohn also went 8-0 in the tournament, with one match won by decision and one forfeit. Jace Guymon, 145, went 5-3 in the tournamentas did Kenny Baker. Clay Collard, Cade Whittle, 152, Josey Johnson, 285, and Hadan Hatch, 130, went 4-4 in the tournament.
Coach Taylor said he was disappointed in the tournament because it did not ward individual performances, only team scores. “We had some individuals who did really well,” he said.
A three-day in a row wrestling schedule can be brutal and the coach said it tests the mettle of his team.
“It really shows you who is dedicated,” he said.
Next up the Spartans face ALA on Dec. 19 before the long Christmas break and when they return they will go up against North Sanpete at home on Jan. 3. North Sanpete has a strong wrestling program but Coach Taylor said his Spartans can perform well against them.

Pirates still searching for first win

The Green River Pirates continued to struggle for a win last week as they were decimated by Whitehorse on Dec. 13 and fought their way back against Wayne on Dec. 14 and had the win within their grasp only to run out of time in a heartbreaker.
Against Whitehorse the Pirates were able to stay within two baskets against Whitehorse in the first quarter but things only got worse from there as Whitehorse continued to pull away from Green River as they won the game 76-34.
Lead scorer for the Pirates was Brennan Bigelow with 11. Luis Mendoza scored 7, Jason Johnson, 4; Tyson Johnson, 10, Kayden Mecham, 2.
Against Wayne the Pirates were dominated in the first three quarters as Wayne outscored Green River 27-12 in the first; 18-13 in the second; and 19-14 in the third. But in the fourth quarter the Pirates shut down Wayne and rallied to score 19 points, holding Wayne to only 5 in the quarter. Unfortunately for the Pirates time was against them and Wayne went on the win the game 69-58.
High scorer for the Pirates was again Bigelow with 19. He was followed by Mecham with 16, Tyson Johnson with 9; Jason Johnson with 6, Luis Mendoza with 6 and Earl Nelson with 2.
Next up the Pirates travel to face Meridian on Dec. 19.

Red Devils stop Lady Pirates momentum

Fresh off two wins last week the Green River Lady Pirates faced the Red Devils on a roll they wanted to keep rolling, but Grand put the skids on the Pirates as they snatched away the game 52-34 on Dec. 11.
Grand outscored the Pirates 12-6 in the first and 21-12 in the second and Green River was not able to recover from that deficit in the second quarter, although they put in a valiant effort. In the third quarter they held Grand to 9 points and scored 8 of their own an in the fourth the Pirates outscored the Red Devils 8-7 to end the game.
Brandi Webster led all scorers for the Pirates with 15, followed by Jill Vetere and Leah Swalberg with 7 each. Tracy Engleman scored 3 and Diana Flores scored 2.
Next up the Lady Pirates are on the road to face Meridian on Dec. 19.