Summary
A classic rivalry matchup turned into an intense back-and-forth battle as the Emery Spartans defeated the Carbon Dinos 65-58, clinching the Region 12 championship, Wednesday night at the Spartan Center in Castle Dale.
A classic rivalry matchup turned into an intense back-and-forth battle as the Emery Spartans defeated the Carbon Dinos 65-58, clinching the Region 12 championship, Wednesday night at the Spartan Center in Castle Dale.
Faced with a double-digit deficit early, the Spartans were forced to play from behind multiple times throughout the evening. Trailing 51-50 with 4:01 remaining in the fourth quarter, Emery used a 6-0 run to capture the lead for good and earn the eventual win.
“Obviously it was a very intense game. It was back and fourth and I give a ton of credit to Carbon,” said head coach Dave Justice following the win. “We settled in a bit, used a big run in the second quarter and we felt good. But Carbon just kept coming and took a lead in the third and again in the fourth. It was just a fun game and I’m proud of our boys and how they responded.”
Needing a win to secure the league title outright, the Spartans were faced with a 10-0 hole early. The Carbon defense stifled the high-powered Emery offensive, keeping the Spartans scoreless until the 3:41 mark in the first period.
Carbon set the tempo early as senior Braxton Stevenson scored 10 of his 12 points in the first eight minutes, outscoring Emery by himself in the opening quarter. Trailing 14-9 entering the second quarter, the Spartans finally broke through and captured its first lead 18-17 with 3:47 to play in the first half. Emery extended the lead to 25-22 at the break.
It did not take long for Carbon to regain the advantage on the scoreboard. Back-to-back threes in the third quarter gave the Dinos an immediate 28-27 lead. Carbon would hold the slight edge until Emery’s Zack Tuttle and Talon Tuttle connected on two makes from deep, allowing the Spartans to jump back in front 39-37. Emery again extended the lead to five, holding a 43-38 advantage entering the final quarter.
With Emery seemingly in control the Dinos once again had an answer. Senior Mason Vasquez erased a five-point deficit with two straight three-point makes to put Carbon back in front 44-43. The lead would switch hands multiple times until the final three minutes.
Emery senior center Brett Rasmussen scored five of his 13 points consecutively, crashing the glass and dominating the paint on both ends of the floor. His bucket with 3:31 to play put Emery up for good. Timely free throws and key rebounds put the game and division crown on ice for the Spartans in front a loud hometown crowd.
Luke Justice led the Spartans offensively as he finished with a team-high 14 points, eight of which came in the second half. Wade Stilson continued his steady play as he ended with 13 points and a thunderous slam dunk in the fourth quarter. After a scoreless first half Rasmussen posted 11 of his 13 in the final eight minutes.
Seven different Emery players scored at least two points as the team earned its seventh straight region win, finishing the season 16-4 overall and 7-1 in region play. The victory locks up the team’s first region title since 2019.
The Spartans will now enter a lengthy break as the season wraps up for most of the state on Friday. Ranked inside the top three of the RPI, the Spartans have earned a first round bye and will play host to an opponent to be determined on Friday, Feb. 17 in the second round of the 3A State Tournament.
Chet Anderson led the gritty Carbon performance with a game-high 16 points, including two makes from the three-point line. Vasquez scored all of his 13 points in the second half and connected on three makes from deep. Stevenson chipped with 12 points and Ashton Ferguson finished with nine.
Wednesday’s loss dips Carbon to 8-11 overall and 2-5 in region play. The Dinos will have one more opportunity to log a key win Friday night in the regular season finale at home against the Richfield Wildcats.