The Emery Spartans scored early and often as they became the first team in the state of Utah to reach triple digits this season in a lopsided 104-66 victory over the Grand Red Devils Friday night in Moab.
The Spartans had four players reach double-figures and 11 different players scored at least one point. The team combined for 14 makes from the three-point line, eight of which came from senior Talon Tuttle.
“The nature of the game was played at a higher pace and Grand did a great job too of getting up and down the court,” said head coach Dave Justice after the win. “When we are playing with that kind of pace I think its our best basketball. The kids did a great job of running downhill all game.”
Tuttle led all scorers as he poured in a game-high 26 points, 24 of which came from beyond the arc. The three-point barrage from Tuttle was one of the best perimeter shooting performances in Emery High School history, falling just two shy of the record set by Brandon Burke on Feb. 10, 1997.
Brett Rasmussen followed up Wednesday’s outstanding performance with 18 points. Luke Justice scored 17 and Wade Stilson chipped in with 11. The 104 points scored by Emery was the highest single game total from a Spartan group since 2019’s 112 point performance against Green River.
Outscoring Grand 25-15 at the end of the first quarter, the Spartans extended the lead to 56-34 at the break. The third quarter was much of the same as advantage grew to 90-53.
“It was a scoring night for us for sure,” said Tuttle during the postgame show on KOAL 107.3 FM and 750 AM. “We had Brett being dominate down low and then you have Luke and Wade who can hit that jumper, then you get me and Easton and the others who can hit it from the outside. That just opens up the defense so much.”
Friday’s blowout is the fourth consecutive win for the Spartans, running the overall record to 13-4 with a 4-1 mark in league play. The win, coupled with a Richfield victory over Canyon View, gives Emery sole possession of first place in Region 12.
Only three games remain on the regular season slate and the next contest could determine the region champion. The Spartans will next travel to Cedar City on Wednesday for a second meeting with Canyon View, who sits just one game back of Emery in the standings.
