A current five-game win streak has the Emery Lady Spartans ranked No. 8 in the 3A RPI with a 7-3 overall record.
The season started with a close 36-34 win at Juan Diego. Aliya Lester hit four three-pointers to total 18 points to go along with her six rebounds. Katelyn Nielson recorded a team-high ten rebounds, partnered with six points.
The home opener featured a matchup with defending 3A-state champs, the Judge Memorial Bulldogs. The Lady Spartans found themselves down early, but a late comeback came up just short as Emery fell 50-60. Katelyn Nielson scored 20 points and Aliya Lester had 10. Emery was outrebounded 18-40 in the loss.
Two-straight road games next awaited the Lady Spartans. A trip to Delta was first on the menu, and Katelyn Nielson’s 16 point, 10 rebound double-double willed Emery to a 60-50 win. Alexia Mortensen also scored in double digits with 11 points.
Part two of the road trip was a close one-point loss, 47-48, at the Uintah Utes. Brielle Rowley went 3-4 from three-point range, scoring 15 points to lead the Lady Spartans. Katelyn Nielson was in double figures again with 12 points and five rebounds.
The Lady Spartans returned home for a battle against the Wasatch Wasps. Aliya Lester’s 23 points, on 5-8 shooting from three-point land, were not enough in the 42-45 Spartan loss. Alexia Mortensen did a little bit of everything for Emery with nine points, four rebounds and three steals.
Emery got back into the win column with a 57-38 drubbing of the Manti Templars. Aliya Lester once again led the Spartans in scoring with 16 points and six rebounds. Brielle Rowley had another solid outing after 12 points in the game.
A second-straight win for the Lady Spartans came on the road at the Union Cougars. Makaila Peacock had six points and eight assists in the 62-38 Emery win. Aliya Lester had a team-high 15 points and four steals defensively.
Alexia Mortensen had a season-high 25 points and made six threes in a 66-56 win over South Sevier. Brielle Rowley had 15 points and five rebounds. Rowley also went 3-4 from three-point range. The win was Emery’s third straight.
The North Sanpete Hawks next fell victim to the Lady Spartans’ win streak after Emery picked up yet another double-digit victory, 58-42. Kali Jensen scored 15 points while being a perfect 5-5 from two-point range. Alexia Mortensen finished just short of a double-double with 10 points and seven rebounds.
Emery’s fifth-straight win came on the road at Provo High as Kali Jensen’s 13 points and nine rebounds led the Lady Spartans to a 50-37 win. Katelyn Nielson scored 10 points and finished with eight rebounds, just short of her second double-double of the season.
“We think we are right where we need to be,” said head coach Jon Faimalo. “We have a tough region schedule ahead of us. Three of the top five RPI teams are in our region. We will have our work cut out for us.”
Aliya Lester is the Lady Spartans’ leading scorer, averaging 10.4 points per game. Brielle Rowley is close behind with 8.9 per game. Katelyn Nielson averages 4.8 rebounds per game to anchor the Lady Spartans. Alexia Mortensen is just behind with 4.7 per contest. Makalia Peacock runs the Emery offense with 5.5 assists per matchup.
The Lady Spartans’ next game is on Dec. 30, at home against 3-5 Pine View. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.