| Chandler Pearson plays tough defense. |
The Emery Spartans kept their perfect record intact last week with two big region victories, 77-58 over the Carbon Dinos and 59-51 over the Delta Rabbits, as the Spartans now stand 13-0 for the year and 2-0 in region play.
Before a big crowd in the Spartan Center, the neighboring Dinos brought their fans to Castle Dale for what turned into high school basketball at its best. Winning aside, this game was enjoyable as the rivals went at it on the court and their respective fans cheered them on and enjoyed the night. The gym was alive and exciting this night.
The first quarter of the game ended 9-6 as both teams were a little tight, as teams have a tendency to do when they play their big rival. Brandon Hansen’s three personal fouls was the big stat in this quarter, as that would limit his play for a while.
Emery came alive in the second quarter as they outscored the Dinos by 10 points to enjoy a 34-21 halftime lead. Carbon was very physical in this half as they picked up 16 personal fouls. It seemed their game plan involved being very physical with Emery’s ball handlers to try and throw them off their game.
Bowie Jeffs was seven for eight at the line in this quarter, as Carbon’s tactics didn’t seem to work. Curt Jensen had three big baskets to aid the Spartan attack.
Emery extended the lead in the third quarter to 56-39 as again they outscored the Dinos by four. Chandler Pearson had eight points in the quarter to lead the way.
Jeffs had 18 points, Pearson had 17 points, Seth Powell had 14 points, Jensen had 10, Hansen had nine and Mike Truman had six points. Mike Truman’s forte this night though was rebounding as he had an absolutely huge game with 17 rebounds. In case you are wondering, the Emery record is 22 held by Shawn Bradley.
Before a hostile crowd at the Palladium in Delta, the Spartans outlasted the very physical Rabbits and some very strange officiating to bring home the victory.
Emery led 12-7 after the first quarter but saw the lead slip to just one at the half, 27-26. Chandler Pearson led the Spartans with 14 points in the half. Seth Powell took a hit to the head, probably an elbow, and did not come back to the court after the half. Some Emery parents took him to the Delta hospital and things should be okay.
Pearson and Jeffs had their way in the third quarter as they had 17 points between them and Emery opened up a nine point lead. Pearson had a good night as he finished the game with 26 points. Jeffs had only 15 points as he fouled out of the game midway through the fourth quarter with his fourth offensive foul of the night. Each of these fouls was as he drove for the lay-up and was hit scoring. Points were denied and the Emery fans were left scratching their heads. Strange officiating and Delta’s gym living up to its reputation of being a hard place to play made it exciting but the Spartans got the win and stayed perfect. Emery is at home tomorrow night in a non-region game hosting the Wasatch Wasps. Game time 7 p.m.