Spartans beat Cowboys, lose by 1 to Dinos

By GARY ARRINGTON Sports writer

After defeating the Kanab Cowboys on Wednesday night 74-58 at Kanab, the Emery High Spartan boys basketball team traveled to Price and returned home with a loss in a close, hard-fought game with Carbon High. Final score was 67-66. These two former region partners are in separate regions this season and so the game pitting the two schools was on the schedule earlier than in past seasons. And this game, like most games in this rivalry, was as good if not better than expected. There is a return engagement in Castle Dale on Jan. 9 between these two teams.
Emery took the first quarter lead at 12-11 as the two schools battled inside and out. Carbon then led at the half 27-26. The Dinos had seven players that scored in the first half and were led by the six outside points of Clint Finkbiner and Beau Rich and the six inside points of Kenny Seals. Emery was led in the first half by Tanner Procarione’s 11 points and Nevin Jensen with seven points. Emery had four players that scored in the first half.
Carbon came out of the locker room on fire and took the early lead and eventually built a 12-point lead over Emery. At this point everything Carbon did seemed right as most shots went in the hoop and the ball seemed to bounce Carbon’s way every time. Just as most Emery fans were feeling a little despair, junior Ty Benson came into the game and promptly hit two 3-pointers to cut Carbon’s lead in half and give Emery renewed hope of winning this game. Carbon led 49-43 after three periods.
In the fourth quarter, Emery fought hard enough and took the lead for the first time since midway through the second quarter at 60-59. Carbon never panicked at this point and promptly scored to regain the lead. With the score tied at 66-66 and 8.5 seconds left in regulation, Carbon called time out. When play renewed, Carbon’s Clint Finkbiner attacked the basket with the ball and was fouled by Emery with 4.5 seconds left. Finkbiner made the first free throw to give Carbon the lead and then intentionally missed the second free throw. Nevin Jensen took the ball and drove the length of the floor but did not get off a shot before time expired and Carbon had their first victory in this series in quite awhile.
Finkbiner led Carbon with 18 points with Daniel Peczuh scoring 12 points and Brock Morley scoring 11 points. Kenny Seals scored nine points, Beau Rich scored eight points, Colin Moynier scored six points, Justin Child scored two points and Chase Sillitoe scored one point.
For Emery, Tanner Procarione led the way with 23 points and Nevin Jensen added 17 points. Mark Guymon also finished in double figures with 10 points.Ty Benson scored six points, Derek Tuttle and TJ Fortner scored four points each and Kashe Potter scored two points.
At Kanab, Procarione led the way with 22 points followed by Jensen with 20 points as the two seniors spread their points throughout the game. Emery led 17-12 at the end of the first quarter and 34-28 at the half. Emery outscored Kanab 15-13 in the third period to continue building their lead.
Procarione finished with 22 points and 10 rebounds including five offensive rebounds along with two steals. Jensen had 20 points including going 12 of 14 at the free throw line along with eight assists, three rebounds and a steal. Colton Barnett scored 11 points and had eight rebounds, two blocks and a steal.
Mark Guymon scored seven points, also had eight rebounds along with six assists and two steals. Tuttle scored five points, TJ Furner scored four points, Jake Fortner scored three points and Colter Moore scored two points.
Emery’s next three games feature two of the best in the state. Emery will host Hurricane this Thursday night and will play Wasatch at home on Dec. 22. Emery also will travel to Canyon View in Cedar City this Friday night.