Spartans prepare for opening game

Vallyn Bernard

I don’t know about you, but it’s hard for me to believe baseball season is starting this week. On Saturday, I was stomping around in the mud and snow, so playing baseball in mud boots should be fun to watch.

OK., so there might be a few games cancelled early in the season, but this year’s baseball schedule leans toward playing farther south early on, with the exception of the opening game. This Wednesday is the opening game of the year, and it’s at home against Uintah.

Last week when I visited with Head Coach Jim Jones, the team was practicing outside on the baseball field, which was still half covered in snow. If a player wanted to get onto the dirt, maybe I should say, mud, part of the infield, I’m pretty sure he was making them wear hip boots. Maybe everything will be dried out by Wednesday, or they will have to have targets each team hits at in the batting cage.

Coach Jones is excited about this year’s team, with five starting seniors, and a strong group of underclassmen. The only hitch in the team’s giddy-up right now is that Ryan Jones, the team’s leading hitter for the past two seasons, is out with a foot problem for the beginning of the season.

Helping Coach Jones this season are Shannon Hiatt and Dean Stilson.

If Coach Jones is cautiously optimistic about the baseball season, like he was about last year’s football team, Spartan baseball fans and players are in for a wild spring.

The Spartan baseball team is composed of: Varsity Roster: Jordan Gee, Blake Mortensen, Skyler Jensen, Ryan Jones, Skyler Jorgensen, Gatlan Huntington, Derrick Allred, Brett Mecham, Nevin Jensen, Colby Snow, Dusty Jensen, Taylor Tanner, Addison Collard and Jason Giles.

Sophomore/Freshman roster: Brian Langston, Kashe Potter, Jade Fielder, JT Noyes, Nick Stoddard, Dallon Wilson, Jessee Jewkes, Kash Jewkes, Quinn Montgomery, Spencer Fehlberg, Chance Huntington, Gage Bell and Nathan Mecham.

Lady Spartan softball team takes field with new coach

Vallyn Bernard

The Lady Spartans softball team opens their season this Wednesday in Vernal against Unitah. Let’s see, the Unitah Basin is usually 15 to 20 degrees colder than Emery County in the winter. Hopefully, it’s still not that way now; otherwise the Lady Spartans will be playing in artic gear.

After Unitah, the Lady Spartans head south to St George for a five game tournament, which should get them out of the snow, and cold.

This year Beau Stoker will be helping the softball team, as he takes on the responsibilities of the new head coach. Working with him will be Kerry Lake, Katie Hreinson, and Gary Arrington.

Coach Beau is excited to work with the Lady Spartans, and his staff this season. With hard work and discipline, he believes a lot of good things can happen to the Lady Spartans this go round.

The 2008 Lady Spartan Softball team is composed of: Seniors: Whitney Allen, Jalee Jensen, Bailey Kay, Leslee Lake, Chelsea Skinner. Juniors: Kerra Allred, Candice Norton, Kaleena Mouritsen, Adriane Weihing. Sophomores: Mackenzi Grange, Gabrielle Guymon, Abbie Kay, Michelle Oliver, Danavin Reed. Freshman: Kenna Allred, Ariauna Arrien, Shannie Luke, Taylor Mann, Shelby Mason, Miranda Miller, Taylor Miller, Tealan Miller, Makiah Sherman, Markette Tanner.

Pirates basketball team battles in state tournament

Brennan Bigelow

The Green River Pirates faced the Patriots of Mount Vernon to gain a spot in the upcoming state tournament on Feb. 26.

Green River came out in full force in the first quarter but despite their efforts they couldn’t pull away from the determined Patriots. After the buzzer rang for the end of the first half the Pirates and Patriots were all knotted up.
The Pirates went on a tear in the third quarter and outscored the Mount Vernon patriots by 6. The fourth quarter rolled around and the Pirates could not stop the shooters from Mount Vernon. With little time left on the clock, the Patriots had the ball on the opposite side of the court from their basket. Cameron Lambson dribbled the full length of the court and buried a three point shot, rocketing the Pirates to overtime. The Pirates couldn’t seem to stop the Patriot’s shooters but the Pirates kept adding to their score. Finally, after three more overtimes the Pirates pulled away and beat the Patriots to put the Pirates in the state tournament. The Pirates would face the Panguitch Bobcats the next day at Sevier Valley Center.

Leading the Pirates was Kaden Mecham with 22 points. Other Pirates scoring in double digits were Brennan Bigelow with 21 and Tyson and Jason Johnson with 19 points. Also contributing was Luis Mendoza with 7 points. On Feb. 27 the Pirates were no match for teh Bobcasts’ fast paced game. The Bobcats pulled away after the first half, giving them the first round win. Leading the Pirates was Tyson Johnson with 13. Luis Mendoza finished with 9, Brennan Bigelow ended with 8, and Kaden Mecham and Jason Johnson both added 6.

The next day the Pirates faced the Bryce Valley Mustangs, who earlier in the season defeated the Pirates. The Pirates came out and showed their determination and outscored the Mustangs by 3 in the first quarter. The game grew intense as the Pirates and Mustangs exchanged possessions. At the half, the Pirates were tied with Bryce Valley. The third quarter put the Pirates up by three points. The final quarter rolled around and with a small lead the Pirates paced themselves for a close game. The Pirates hit pivotal shots and made defensive stops and held on to the lead to win the game with a score of 66 to 61. All starters for the Pirates scored in double digits. Leading the team was Brennan Bigelow with 19 points. Kayden Mecham and Tyson Johnson scored 13 each, Luis Mendoza had 11, and Jason Johnson had 10.

The third day found the Pirates in a game against Christian Heritage. Against A tough shooting team, the Pirates had their hands full. Christian Heritage consistently outscored the Pirates by three or four points in every quarter to shoot them over the Pirates. Leading the Pirates was Luis Mendoza with 14. Other scorers were Tyson Johnson with 10, Brennan Bigelow with 9, Jason Johnson with 7, and adding 5 was Kaden Mecham. After a somewhat disappointing season the Pirates look to improve and return as a stronger team next year.

Making it to the state tournament and earning a win there has led to the determination of the returning team. The Pirates return all players except Luis Mendoza. The future looks bright for the Pirates.