The No. 3 Emery Spartans advanced to the quarterfinals of the 3A State Championship Tournament by defeating the No. 14 North Sanpete Hawks 72-59 Friday night at the Spartan Center in Castle Dale.
Talon Tuttle scored 12 of his game-high 17 points in the first quarter as the Spartans exploded out of the gate capturing an early 13-0 advantage. Emery never trailed in the win, but had to overcome an outstanding North Sanpete second half effort.
Extending the lead to as many as 20 in the first half, the Spartans seemed in control until the Hawks used a 32-19 run between the second and third quarters to get within three points. Emery answered the call each time the Hawks were within one possession and eventually put the game out of reach in the final three minutes of regulation.
“North Sanpete is a great team. I know their record isn’t great, but they beat some great teams and gave some others all they could handle,” said head coach Dave Justice. “Unfortunately, this is something that we’ve had to deal with all year. We get up big and we let them back in it. Credit to our guys though because they kept playing and never gave up the lead.”
Emery had a four players reach double-figures, including Tuttle, in a well balanced offensive performance. Brett Rasmussen was once again a force down low as he finished with 12 points. Luke Justice contributed 11 and Wade Stilson finished with 10.
Clinging to just a three-point lead late in the fourth quarter, the Spartans created space as Easton Nielson hit a big three-point jumper from the left corner. Nielson extended Emery’s lead the next time down court as he converted two crucial foul shots.
The final blow from Emery came as Zack Tuttle scored four of his eight points in the back half of the fourth quarter. Timely free throws from Justice put the game on ice as Emery closed out the 2022-23 season unbeaten at the Spartan Center with a perfect 10-0 mark.
“We are going to be playing games that are close like this next week,” said Justice. “Nothing has come easy for us. We’ve won a lot of close games and we are battle tested. I think our kids are used to playing close games like this.”
Tyler Allen hit his season average as he posted 15 points for the Hawks in the setback. North Sanpete received a huge boost from sophomore reserve Ridge Henry, who scored 13 off the bench, including three makes from the perimeter.
Friday’s win pushes Emery into the final eight of the 3A State Tournament, which will now shift to Southern Utah University in Cedar City Thursday through Saturday. In order to win the state championship the Spartans will have to win three games in three days.
Up next will be a meeting with No. 6 Summit Academy, who is led by former USU Eastern assistant coach Curtis Condie. Summit Academy advanced to the quarterfinals after defeating Judge Memorial 51-38 Friday night.
Thursday’s playoff matchup will take place early in the morning at 9:30. The winner of the game will advance to meet either Richfield or Juab in the semifinals on Friday.
