It was a confusing week for the Emery High Spartan boy’s basketball team last week. They opened the week Wednesday at Wasatch and played poorly in a loss. The Spartans then came home and played extremely well in a lopsided win over Kanab. They lost 70-53 and then won 77-53.
After listening to the coaching staff, it seems that Emery just never found any rhythm in Heber City. They didn’t shoot well, they didn’t rebound well and they didn’t defend well.
At home against Kanab, Emery scored the first five points of the game and led 10-1 after 2:50 had elapsed in that quarter. Behind Jason Giles shooting seven first quarter points, Emery built a seven-point first quarter lead and never looked back. Kanab never threatened in the game, as it seemed the Spartans were very determined to win this game big and atone for the earlier loss.
In the second quarter, Emery extended the lead to 31-21 and just like that, the Spartans led 39-21 in less than another minute of play. This Spartan team, when they get on a roll, can put up points in a hurry.
Nevin Jensen, Emery’s junior point guard nailed three 3-pointers and hit four of four free throws to lead the team to a 42-23 halftime margin. Colton Barnett, an Emery junior post player at 6’5, also hit three baskets in the period and made one of two free throw attempts.
The third quarter was more of the same as Karson Jensen scored seven points to lead Emery to a 21-14 advantage in scoring as the Spartans now led 63-37. The quarter did not start well for Emery though. Kanab scored the first four points of the period as Emery began to foul and the Cowboys put up seven free throws in the first two minutes of the second half. Emery soon righted the ship and finished with the advantage.
Nevin Jensen finished as the leading scorer with 22 points and also dished out eight assists and came up with three steals as he played a complete game. Colton Barnett finished with 17 points and pulled down 10 rebounds and blocked five shots as he had a really good game down low. Jason Giles finished with 14 points and had five assists as he handled the ball when Jensen got a breather.
Also scoring for Emery in the game were Karson Jensen with seven points, Tanner Procarione with six points, Gatlan Huntington with four points and Brett Mecham with three points. Karson also pulled down seven rebounds.
At Wasatch, the Wasps won every period as the Spartans never threatened. Wasatch led 15-11 at the end of the first quarter, 27-18 at the half, 46-35 after three periods and won the final period 24-18 in getting the win.
Jason Giles led the way with 12 points as he hit two 3-pointers and made six of six free throws in the final period. Gatlan Huntington scored eight points in the first period as he made two 3-pointers and had another three in the third quarter to finish with 11 points. Karson Jensen scored nine points, Tanner Procarione finished with eight points and Nevin Jensen scored six points. Brett Mecham scored four points, Colton Barnett scored two points and Cameron Hansen scored one point.
The Spartans now will enter region 8 play, as they will travel twice this week. They play at Delta on Wednesday night and at Carbon on Friday night.
Spartans rout Cowboys after Wasp sting at Heber
"Nevin Jensen brings the ball down the floor against Wasatch. Gatlan Huntington for Emery also runs down court."