For the fourth time in five years the Emery Lady Spartans will play for a state championship.
One night after overcoming a fourth quarter deficit against No. 7 Delta, the Lady Spartans put on an offensive clinic in a 69-52 win over the No. 3 ranked Grantsville Cowboys in the semifinals of the 3A State Championship, clinching a spot in Saturday’s title game.
Emery wasted little time creating a lead as they outscored the Cowboys 23-12 in the opening quarter. Tambrie Tuttle and Baylee Jacobson combined for 20 points, including 6 of 7 makes from deep in the first eight minutes.
“That’s the start we need and we knew if we could come out and match their intensity we would have a good chance,” said head coach Lynn Tuttle. “The first quarter is a mindset. I told the girls to have belief in themselves and their shot.”
Jacobson carried that mindset throughout the contest as she narrowly missed a triple-double with 18 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. Ending an efficient 5-11 from the field, she also shot a perfect 6-6 from the foul line.
Tuttle also ended with 18 points, while also logging six rebounds. Mirroring Jacobson’s results at the line, she too finished 6-6 of the stripe.
Emery’s hot start was quickly matched by the Cowboys as they trimmed the deficit to just three points going into the break. With the game hanging in the balance, Emery responded by outscoring Grantsville in each of the last two quarters.
“I think the big difference from last night and tonight was confidence,” said Jacobson following the win. “I think last night was an eye opener. We just realized we have to play our hardest if we want to go all the way and that was the biggest difference.”
Sophomore center Tatum Tanner played a big role in separating the Spartans from the Cowboys. A focal point of the offense in the third quarter, Tanner delivered the first three baskets on consecutive shots in the paint. The quick six points ran her total to 12 for the game.
The offensive explosion continued through the starting lineup as both Addie Lester scored 10 points and Bethany Justice finished with 11. All 69 points came from the Emery starting five.
Grantsville received a huge boost from senior Maison White as she poured in a game-high 31 points and 15 rebounds. With the offense running through White, she attempted 33 shots, most of which came in the paint.
The only other Cowboy to reach double-figures was Emily Backus, who became a volume shooter as she scored 11 points on 14 shots. As a team Grantsville ended a pedestrian 29-percent from the field.
Friday’s win sets the stage for a chance at the ultimate goal, a 3A State Championship. Standing in Emery’s way of their third title in four years is the No. 8 ranked Morgan Trojans, who earned a spot in the finale with wins over No. 1 South Sevier and No. 4 Carbon.
Saturday’s state championship matchup will be the second meeting of the season between the two schools. Emery won the first 63-36 back on Dec. 4.
“I said coming into the tournament that Morgan is the scariest team here,” said Coach Tuttle. “Watching them, they are extremely good. I’m not sure how they are the eight seed, but we have our work cut out for us.”
Live coverage of Saturday’s State Championship contest will air live on KOAL 107.3 FM and 750 AM beginning at 3:30 p.m.. The Landon’s Diesel Service Pre Game Show will feature interviews with all five starters and coach Lynn Tuttle. Tip-off will follow at 4:00.