The Emery Spartans opened the season on the road in Ogden on Friday, taking on a pair of 5A teams. The Spartans were up to the challenge, claiming wins in both contests against Roy and Granger, to start the season at 2-0.
The game with the Roy Royals was a battle from start to finish as Roy came out in the opening quarter to take a 19-16 lead. The Spartans came back in the second quarter, scoring 16 once again and giving up 23 to the Royals as Roy took a ten-point lead, 42-32, into the locker room at halftime.
In the second half, the Spartans dug deep, clawing their way back in the third, outscoring Roy 19-11 and cutting into their lead as Emery went into the fourth down by two, 53-51. In the final eight minutes, the Spartans kept things close looking for the right moment to strike, and with less than a minute left, Ajay Thomas took the ball coast to coast, scoring to give Emery the 66-64 win.
Porter Sitterud led the Spartans with 20. Brek Griffin scored 17, grabbing nine rebounds and dishing out four assists, and Thomas had 12, including the game winner, with eight rebounds and eight steals.
On Saturday, Emery would face another 5A team, the Granger Lancers. The Spartans held the line through four quarters to take a 65-55 win.
Both teams came out firing in the first quarter, with the Spartans holding a slight 23-18 edge after one. If the Spartans were going to make things happen, that is precisely what they did in the second quarter, putting up 20 while holding the Lancers to just nine points and giving the Spartans the 43-27 lead headed to the half.
In the third, Granger came out and posted 19 on the Spartans, cutting into the lead as they headed to the fourth with Emery up 53-46. Emery kept their foot on the gas and, using their defense, put the Lancers away 65-55.
Sitterud added 21 in the game and handed out five assists. Griffin scored 15 with eight rebounds and four assists, and Thomas scored 12 with three assists and a pair of boards.
The Spartans get back on the court Tuesday when they welcome the Juab Wasps to the Spartan Center.
You can catch the action live on KOAL 107.3 FM, 750 AM, or on our YouTube channel, Castle Country Radio Emery. Pre-game will begin at 6:30, Game time is set for 7:00.