Emery prevails over Carbon to claim 3A state championship

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The Emery Spartans rode a strong second half as they prevailed in the 3A girls basketball state championship game over Carbon 55-42.
A big early run by Carbon was weathered by Emery who clawed their way back into the game going into halftime trailing 26-23.
To start the second half the Lady Spartans changed to a match-up zone which helped clamp down and shutdown the explosive Carbon offense as Emery outscored Carbon 32-16.
A back and forth fourth quarter saw Emery begin to pull away Carbon. Lady Dino Kristen Jewkes hit a 3-pointer that cut the Emery lead to four. But the Lady Dinos would get no closer as Lady Spartan Blayr Jeffs hit a 3-pointer to push the lead to seven with three minutes left.
Carbon could not convert their shots down the stretch as they began fouling Emery to extend the game. Lady Spartan Taylor Mann, who has helped lead the Spartans all season long, Jeffs and Brooke Jensen hit key free throws in the final minutes to push Emery to the championship.
Carbon (20-2) entered the game on a 14-game winning streak as their only other loss in the season came on Dec. 17, losing 50-47 in overtime to Delta.
Emery took control of the game at the foul line as they converted 25-of-32 free throws compared to 5-of-7 for Carbon.
Lady Dino Tia Pappas fouled out of the game in the final minute finishing with 15 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Lady Dinos. Mariah Pollock added 10, Kirsten Jewkes chipped in five and Kylee Lessar, Miranda Averett and Sara Potts each scored four points.
Mann led the Lady Spartans with 18 points and 12 rebounds, Jeffs chipped in 17 points and Jensen finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
Emery finished the season with a record of 17-6 as they defeated Wasatch, Morgan, Juab and Carbon to become the class 3A state championship.