The Emery Spartans ended the season in the No. 17 spot in the RPI, which meant they had to go on the road for the opening round of the state playoffs which began Wednesday night, against the No. 16 Providence Hall Patriots. Needing to take it in to overtime, the Spartans outscored their opponent 13-6 in the extra period to take the 71-64 win and advance to take on the No. 1 ranked Layton Christian Eagles Saturday.
The Spartans ended the regular season with just six wins but with the start of the playoffs all records can go out the window and everyone starts at 0-0.
This contest was destined to go to overtime when you look at the individual quarters. Providence Hall came out in the first quarter scoring 20 and held Emery to 16. In the second, the Patriots added another 11 and would take a 31-24 lead into the locker room at half time.
In the second half, Emery dominated and made their move in the third quarter putting up 21 and holding Providence Hall to 8 which allowed the Spartans to take a five point lead into final eight minutes of regulation.
In quarter number four the Patriots found urgency outscoring the Spartans by five to tie up the game and extend their season into the overtime period. In the extra time both teams would go back and forth and it was not until about the :32 second mark that the Spartans could breathe a little and feel that victory was theirs.
Wade Stilson led the way for the Spartans scoring 21 including the first bucket of the overtime that would put Emery up for good. Brett Rasmussen added 20 and Luke Justice 15 in the huge post-season win.
For the Patriots Bryson Baker had 13, McKay Stein added 12 and Bennett Norris 11 in the loss that ended Providence Hall’s season.
Up next for the Spartans is the No.1 team in 3A, Layton Christian Academy. The Eagles finished the regular season with a 16-7 record that included an unblemished 10-0 region mark.
The game will take place on the Eagles home floor Saturday. A game time has not been set, check back with Castle Country Radio as we will pass the information along as soon as it becomes available.