The Emery High Lady Spartans started the New Year off right as they traveled to Springville and got a 55-41 win over 4-A’s third ranked team. Not only did the varsity win, the JV team also won 50-28 and the sophomore team also won 44-27. The JV team started the game big by taking a 22-2 first quarter lead.
After leading 12-9 at the end of the first quarter, Emery had a great second quarter as they outscored the Springville team 20-7 and went to the half leading 32-16. Springville limited Emery to only five third quarter points as they climbed back into the game and threatened to be the third team this season to snatch a victory when their own defeat was imminent.
Emery came alive in the fourth period by returning to their press and outscored their opponent 18-11 to get a win that the score looks better than it might have been. This also was a game that fouls were an important part of, as in Emery had a lot and Springville did not. Jodi Robertson and Caitlin Hansen fouled out, ShiAnne Allred and Meagan Pearson finished with 4 fouls each and Frankie Komar finished the game with 3 fouls, all in the first quarter, which then limited her play the rest of the game. Rumor has it that the coaching staff got a technical foul for questioning the referee’s ability to be fair or competent or something like that.
Head Coach Steve Gordon was pleased with his team’s play, “We played better team ball against Springville. We did not hurry the shot and we usually hit the open man. Caitlin came off the bench and played really well. She shot the ball better, hitting 4 of 6 shots and played really good defense. Jodi played a great game and shot the ball well in the first half.” Jodi hit 3 of 5 two-point shots and 2 of 3 three-point shots.
Jodi scored 6 points in the first quarter while Michonne Robertson, Meagan and Caitlin each had a basket. Jodi had 9 points in the second quarter, Meagan added 6 points, ShiAnne scored 3 points and Michonne and Caitlin each scored a point.
Emery’s full court press defense completely dismantled the Red Devils in the first half, as they could not get the ball down court. Emery was not as effective in that third period that saw Springville get back into the game but the press worked again later in the game as Emery refused to lose this one. Emery had 16 steals in the game but returned the favor by having 20 turnovers also. Emery’s turnovers were often self-caused.
In that third quarter, Frankie had a 3-pointer and Michonne had a basket for Emery’s only points. Caitlin scored 6 points on three baskets in the final period while Abbie Kay also scored 6 points after Caitlin fouled out. Abbey scored two baskets and went 2 for 4 at the free throw line. ShiAnne, Frankie and Meagan also each scored 2 points.
In the game, Emery was 11-23 at the free throw line, 16-32 from the field for 2-point shots and 4-11 on 3-point shots. It would certainly benefit the Spartans to shoot better at the free throw line. Coach Gordon does not understand, “we shoot plenty in practice, maybe we shoot too much. I don’t get it.”
Emery will start region play this week by hosting Juan Diego on Tuesday and then traveling to Delta on Thursday.
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