The Emery Spartans and Richfield Wildcats were neck and neck all season long. Emery finished first in region 12, Richfield second. Richfield earned the No. 2 spot in the RPI, Emery No. 3. The Spartans lost to the Wildcats in Richfield and the Wildcats lost to Emery in Castle Dale, so it was only fitting that one would end the others season. Unfortunately for Emery it was the end of line for them as they lost 53-49 on the second day of the State Championships in Cedar City.
Emery landed in the consolation bracket by falling to No. 6 Summit Academy on the opening day of the 3A State Basketball Championships 48-42.
Richfield on the other hand made their way by falling to No. 7 Juab, 46-44.
Meeting on a neutral floor, the Wildcats used the first quarter to jump out to a 17-14 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Spartans came out in the second putting up 12 while holding Richfield to 10 and cutting the lead to just one point, 27-26 as they headed to halftime, Emery shot 59.1% in the first half to Richfield's 37.9%.
Coming out in the second half Richfield started flat giving the Spartans the opportunity to get an advantage, but the third went back-and-forth and Richfield would end the quarter up by three 41-38.
In the final eight minutes, it was once again a battle as both teams knew what a loss meant. With :20 left and Richfield up 51-49, Zack Tuttle put up a soft shot underneath the basket that did everything but go in, a foul sent Richfield to the line where they would hit both free throws. A pass the length of the court by Emery was intercepted ending the game and the Spartans season.
For the Wildcats, Cort Moon led all scorers with 14, Gage Yardley added 12 and Griffin Wayman put up 11.
For the Spartans it was Wade Stilson who scored 11 with six boards and a pair of assists. Brett Rasmussen who was in foul trouble throughout the game ended with 10 points and four boards and Creek Sharp had eight points in the loss.
The Spartans end the season 17-6 overall and are the Region 12 Champions with a 7-1 mark. Emery will lose four seniors for next season as Brett Rasmussen, Talon Tuttle, Easton Nielson and Justin Curtis are all members of the class of 2023.
