Jockeying for postseason positioning, the Carbon Dinos and the Emery Spartans squared off for round two of their rivalry series, with this matchup in the Spartan Center. In a game defined by play in the paint, the trio of Scott Johansen, West Johansen and Will Jeffs would elevate Emery over the Dinos, sweeping the series 55-38.
Offense was at a premium in the first quarter, as steals, blocks, and turnovers reigned supreme. Scott Johansen was the first from either squad to find the bottom of the basket, barreling in for two. Carbon’s points were mainly scored at the charity stripe, as the two teams battled. Emery ultimately ended the frame up 12-9.
Though the defense would remain strong, the Spartans would get things going from beyond the arc in the waning moments of the first half, with senior Jace Frandsen connecting on back-to-back threes to lift Emery to a double-digit lead as the half expired 28-18.
Carbon would start to battle back in the third quarter, as junior Carter Warburton exploded for five points in the period. Logan Bennett would also help spark the Dinos’ offense. But the potent paintwork of Emery would bolster their lead as they again outscored Carbon. Heading into the final quarter, Emery held a 40-29 advantage.
Porter Hurdsman would be the story of the fourth. Playing lockdown defense along the perimeter, dishing the ball to teammates and scoring as he helped lead the Spartans to a 55-38 rivalry win.
“This was my first time playing in this varsity game,” said Hurdsman of the atmosphere in the Spartan Center,” Having the sides down and this dome atmosphere, all the fans are loud, the student sections are massive and they’re both chanting at each other. It’s just an awesome opportunity to be able to play in this atmosphere.”
For the Dinos Bennett was the leading scorer, putting up 11 points. Warburton would be right behind with nine and Kyler Orth closed with six.
For the Spartans, West Johansen would end with 15, Scott Johansen would have 12, Hurdsman would put up nine and the duo of Frandsen and Jeffs would each contribute eight.
The loss moves Carbon to 4-17 on the year and 1-11 in region play. The Dinos now set their focus on the Canyon View Falcons (17-4, 10-2 Region 12), who come to Jurassic Park on Wednesday, Feb. 5. That game will be streamed on KRPX 95.3 the Peak and Castle Country Sports-Carbon starting at 6:30 p.m.
Emery now sits at 10-11 and 7-5 in Region 12. The Spartans will make the trip to North Sanpete on Wednesday, Feb, 5 to take on the Hawks (3-14, 2-10 Region 12). Live play-by-play action will start on KOAL 107.3 FM and 750 AM starting at 6:30 p.m. with the Landon’s Diesel Service Pregame show with tipoff to follow at 7 p.m. A video stream of the game can also be viewed on Castle Country Sports-Emery.
