Emery boys basketball traveled to Cedar City on Friday to face the Canyon View Falcons. The Falcons joined the 3A ranks at the beginning of the school year dropping back from 4A, and have made some noise in Region 12 this year currently sitting in the top spot in conference play. Jumping out to a quick lead against the Spartans, the Falcons were able stay just ahead of them all game taking a 61-52 win.
The Falcons ended their time in 4A last season with a loss to Tooele in the opening round of the state tournament, this season they have a 5-1 region record, 8-12 overall and have been led by Junior Andrew Barnes, who has been averaging just under 15 per game.
Canyon View would jump out to a 17-9 lead in the first quarter and continue to build on it, the Spartans would put together a small run and cut the Falcon lead to five.
In the second half, the Spartans kept it close in the early going of quarter three tying it up at 28, and would continue to go back and forth throughout but would be down by four at the end of the third. In the fourth Canyon View put up 17 in the quarter taking the nine point win.
Wade Stilson led the Spartans with 20 points grabbing seven rebounds while dishing out three assists and collected one steal. Stilson is scoring 9.5 points per game this season.
Ryker Jensen added 12 on four-of-nine shooting from behind the three point line. Luke Justice would chip in nine points with two rebounds, one assist and three steals. Emery shot 36% from the field and 64% from the free throw line.
The Spartans sit at 5-13 overall and 2-4 in Region 12 play with two games left in the regular season, which will come to an end this week.
Wednesday, they will be on the road in Moab to face Grand County. Back on January 26, it was Emery that came away with the 59-39 win. This time the venue will change and Emery will be looking to add another region win to the schedule. Grand has yet to earn a region victory this year.
The game with Grand will be broadcast on KOAL 107.3 FM or 750 AM starting with the Landon’s Diesel Service Pre-game show at 6:30 Wednesday evening, tip-off is set for 7. You can also stream the action live at: castlecountryradio.com