Emery Lady Spartan basketball continues to win

By GARY ARRINGTON Sports writer

Going into last Thursday night’s game against the always-tough Canyon View Falcons, head coach Steven Gordon was nervous about his Emery High Lady Spartans and their ability to defeat this opponent. It is now apparent that caution was totally unfounded as his team rolled to an easy preseason victory 54-38.
The opening quarter was a tough one for both teams as neither team protected the ball very well as turnover after turnover occurred. Many of those turnovers were unforced, as it appeared that both teams might have had the jitters. Emery did manage to lead after that period 16-12.
Senior Abbie Kay took charge for her team in that period and her play kept Emery in the game. Abbie scored the first 13 points of the game for the Spartans. Abbie seemed to be everywhere and with her play on both ends of the court frustrated the Falcons. Tayler Jewkes made a three-pointer as the quarter ended to break Abbie’s scoring streak.
The second quarter was a masterpiece of play by the Spartan team. Everybody became involved as Emery stepped up the defensive pressure with a full court press that seemed to baffle the Falcons. Emery came up with loose ball after loose ball and was able to turn most of those opportunities into scores. Emery outscored Canyon View 20-4 in the second quarter and led 38-16 at the half.
Jessica Murray led the Spartans in scoring in that period with eight points including a pair of 3-point shots. Jewkes added another five points, as did Jenni Stinson. Those three were instrumental in Emery coming up with six steals and causing several other Falcon turnovers in the period.
The third quarter was a little sloppy for both teams as one really might expect when two teams come back from halftime and one team has a commanding lead on the other. Both teams scored 11 points in the third quarter. The fourth quarter saw both teams go to reserve players.
Taylor Mann, a little frustrated after the game by her play, actually had a good game considering the attention she was getting with her post play. Taylor finished the game with eight points, including six in the third quarter when Emery needed some offensive help, nine rebounds to lead the team along with two blocked shots, two steals and an assist. Mann’s presence in the middle altered Canyon View’s play the entire game.
Abbie, after scoring 13 first quarter points, finished the game with 19 points on eight for 13 shooting from the field. Abbie also had three steals, four rebounds and a blocked shot.
Jewkes finished with 10 points, three steals, two assists and three rebounds. Jessica Murray scored eight points and had five rebounds and three steals. Jenni Stinson scored five points, Brooke Jensen made a free throw and Blayr Jeffs knocked down a three-point shot late in the game.
After the game coach Gordon talked with his team, “Overall, that was a pretty good effort. We controlled the boards all night. We had pretty good spacing on offense. We have got to be able to shoot free throws better though.” Emery was four for 12 on the night from the free throw line. Emery was six for 12 in the game from behind the 3-point line.
Emery’s game with Stansbury last week was canceled due to weather and will be made up later this month. Emery travels to Carbon High this Tuesday and then will travel south to play Dixie and Cedar City on Thursday and Friday.