Emery complained last time to the Utah High School Activities Association and they complained again this time about the play of Pablo Coro for Juan Diego basketball. Pablo is a Chilean and a Weber State signee and is supposed to be 18 years old. After Orem High School could not make Pablo eligible for the season because of problems, Pablo ended up at Juan Diego in time for region play and eligible to play. That brings us to now.
Emery, after leading by 20 points at the half, lost a heartbreaker to Juan Diego last Wednesday night in Draper. Final score in the loss was 64-63 with the final score being Juan Diego’s first and only lead of the ballgame. Coro, after having only seven points in the first half, finished the game with 30 points. The game seemed to change after the Eagle coach threw a major fit on the floor and the calls all went their way after that. I have seen technicals called for much less this season and was very surprised that none was called here. If I talked about fouls that went uncalled, I would be here for a while.
Emery came out hot to start the game. Emery scored the first five points of the game and led 18-4 before winning the first quarter 22-7. Jason Giles scored nine points in the quarter to lead the way. Emery continued the romp in the second quarter with Karson Jensen leading the way with 10 points. Emery led at the half 41-21.
Coro scored 14 points in the third quarter and came away with several steals that led to fast breaks and easy baskets for the Eagles. Despite Giles scoring seven more points, Emery lost the period 26-14.
Emery went cold in the fourth quarter, turned the ball over several times and lost the ball game when Coro made a free throw with five seconds left in the game for the Eagles first lead.
Giles led the team with 16 points, Karson Jensen had 15 points and Nevin had 14 points as three Spartans finished in double figures. Brett Mecham scored six points, Colton Barnett and Tanner Procarione each had four points and Cameron Hansen and Gatlan Huntington each scored two points.
With the loss, Emery was in a three-way tie with Salem Hills and Juan Diego for the region lead.
On Friday night, Emery faced a must win game against the Delta Rabbits and defeated Delta 72-44 and finished the region season tied with Salem Hills for the region championship.
Although Emery won each of the first three periods but not by a lot. Emery led 14-7 after the first period, 26-18 at the half and 40-31 after three quarters. Emery had a major fourth quarter to take a close game and turn it into a blowout.
Emery scored the first points of the ballgame on a basket by Karson Jensen with 3:30 gone in the period. Emery then went down 5-2 and then outscored them 12-2 in the first quarter.
Emery scored the first three points of the second quarter and then the Rabbits scored the next seven points to keep the game close. In the fourth quarter, Emery scored the first nine points of the period and then won the period 32-13 to grab a big win.
Cameron Hansen came off the bench and scored eight points in about two minutes of play to help Emery open up the game in the first quarter. It was team ball in the second quarter and then in the final period, Giles scored 11 points to close out a good ballgame.
For the night, Giles and Gatlan Huntington each scored 14 points in the game as both players hit three 3-pointers. Hansen also finished in double figures with 11 points. Tanner Procarione scored nine points, Karson Jensen scored seven points, Nevin Jensen scored six points, Derek Tuttle scored five points and Colton Barnett and Brett Mecham each scored three points.
Emery has a game this Tuesday night against Union and will host a play-in game Friday night against the Wasatch Wasps at 7 p.m. in the Spartan Center.
Spartans tie for region first place spot
"Gatlan Huntington charges to the basket."