Saturday night, the Emery boys’ basketball squad was back on the court for the first time since December 19, traveling to Vernal to take on the Uintah Utes. The Spartans hung in, but the Utes built a lead when they could and closed out the Spartans, taking a 57-45 victory.

On December 19, the Spartans earned a 78-74 win over American Heritage and then jumped into the Christmas break with just over two weeks before they would take the court against Uintah.

Emery jumped out to a quick 16-9 lead in the opening quarter. Moving into the second, the Utes decided it was their turn, adding 16 points of their own, but the Spartans maintained their lead by halftime as both teams went to the locker room with Emery on top 28-25.

The Utes began to make their move in the third, coming out and getting high-quality shots off, scoring 18 in the quarter and giving up 12 to the Spartans as Uintah captured the lead 43-40 going intot he final eight minutes. Emery seemed to lose steam in the fourth as the Utes gave up just five points in the quarter and put up 14 of their own to take the 57-45 win.

Porter Sitterud led the way with 15 for the Spartans, adding three assists, two steals, and a rebound. Ajay Thomas added 10 points, collecting two rebounds, assists, and steals, and Brek Griffin had seven, grabbing six rebounds, six steals, and four assists in the loss.

On Wednesday, the Pinnacle Panthers will make the trip to Castle Dale, marking the first contest between the two squads.

You can catch the action live on KOAL 107.3 FM  or 750 AM and a live video stream on our YouTube channel, Castle Country Radio- Emery.

The Landon’s Diesel Pre-game show will begin at 6:30 with tip-off to follow at 7:00 p.m.