Coming off the loss last night to Judge Memorial, the Spartans hopes for a state championship have been dashed, but they play on in the consolation bracket. On Friday in the Sevier Valley Center in Richfield, Emery would face the Union Cougars for the second time this season. The Spartans used a great second quarter to put some distance between them and the Cougars finishing them off, taking the 73-55 win.
On Thursday night, the Spartans lost in their quarterfinal match-up with Judge Memorial, meaning that Emery dropped into the consolation bracket and the best they could finish was fifth place. They began their journey today against Union, a team they had already beaten earlier this season 54-30 in Roosevelt.
Friday’s contest got off to a competitive start as both teams were in this game from the beginning playing to a 12-12 tie at the end of one. The second quarter was all Emery, turning on the defense holding the Cougars to nine points in the quarter, and finding their stroke scoring 20, and taking a 32-21 to the locker room at halftime.
Emery had a different team on their hands in the third quarter as Union came out scoring 23, thankfully the Spartans were able to keep pace, putting up 23 in the quarter as well, pushing the score to 53-44 going into the final eight minutes.
In the fourth neither team wanted their season to come to an end. but the Spartans found the extra gear to pull away from the Cougars, earning the 73-55 win and advancing to the final day of the 3A State Championships.
Luke Justice led the way scoring 18, grabbing four rebounds and handing out four assists. Wade Stilson once again filled the stat line with 15, eight rebounds, six steals, five assists, and a pair of blocks. Zack Tuttle added 14 to the cause with six boards, with three assists, and a steal.
Emery takes on the Manti Templars, a team they are very familiar with as they share the same region. In the two contests they played this season, the series was split 1-1 with each team winning on the other’s home court.
The Spartans and the Templars will face off tomorrow at 11:40. The Landon’s Diesel Service Pre-game show starts at 11:20 and we will have all the action for you live on KOAL 107.3 FM or 750 AM. You can stream the action at castlecountryradio.com as well as on the Castle Country Radio app.