Although the Lady Spartans finished the week with split results, a win and a loss, fans and coaches should have been encouraged by the play of the Emery High team. On Tuesday, Emery lost a close game to probably the best team in 2-A girl’s basketball as Richfield won 47-40. On Saturday, Emery dominated a hapless Grand High team before winning 62-13 in a game that wasn’t that close.Everybody that dressed for the Grand varsity game for Emery saw a lot of minutes, everybody that is but the starters of the game for Emery. With Emery winning the first period 27-2, Coach Dean Stilson started showing mercy early in the game and bench players made early appearances.
Blayr Jeffs hit five straight 3-point shots in the first quarter to lead the team in scoring for the ball game. Kim Oldroyd added seven points in that quarter with Ashlynn Allred scoring three and Jeridi Price scoring two points.
Emery won the second quarter 7-3, the third quarter 13-2 and the final quarter 15-6 as Grand went on a scoring spree.
Jeffs 15 points led the team and she only played about 10 minutes. Freshman Lexie Huntington finished with 11 points with 10 of those coming in the second half. Hannah Dyer scored eight points, Oldroyd scored seven points, Ashlynn Allred, Price and Bailey Rasmussen each scored four points, Ashton Bell and Sidnee Conder each scored three points while Cassidy Labrum scored two points and Laurel Roundy scored one point.
Freshman Bell led the team with eight rebounds while Price had six rebounds. Freshman Ashlynn Allred led the team with three assists and three steals.
Emery let a golden opportunity slip away with the loss against Richfield. Emery led 15-11 after the first quarter as both teams played a good defensive ball game but the Lady Spartans prevailed. Emery extended the lead to five points at the half as they outscored Richfield in the second quarter 9-8.
The third quarter was not Emery’s as they had too many turnovers, too many missed shots and simply everything that was going their way in the first half went away. The Wildcats won the quarter 11-2 and Emery could never recover after that.
Blayr Jeffs led the effort with 18 points but 16 of those came in the first half of play. Jeridi Price scored 13 points, including going eight for eight at the free throw line. Kim Oldroyd scored four points and had five rebounds. Shelby Allred scored two points but also had five rebounds and three steals. Kelsie Cox scored two points but also had four assists and three steals in the game. Laurel Roundy scored one point.
Richfield is ranked number one in 2-A basketball and possesses a 14-1 record this season. Richfield is heavily favored to win the upcoming 2-A state tournament that will be held at the Sevier Valley Center in Richfield at the end of February. Richfield has dominated most games that they have played this season. Richfield has the leading scorer in the classification in Megan Bean.
With all of the above paragraph being true, it was evident last Tuesday night that the Emery High Lady Spartans, despite a 3-9 record so far, will also be a team that will need to be feared when it comes to tournament time. Emery should come out of region 15 play as the second best team and will have a favorable state seed.
Grand and San Juan have not won a game in region so far and the Spartans have already defeated South Sevier so things are looking good for Emery if they continue to improve their game.
With only a single starter back from the last season, with only three players with any varsity action on the team, with a new coaching staff, with the team heavily loaded with freshmen and sophomores one could only surmise that the season would take a while to get on track. It looks like after last week, Emery is ready to make a statement to the rest of 2-A.
Emery travels this Saturday to San Juan for their only game of the week. Emery only has one remaining home game, and that isn’t until Feb. 10.
Emery girls split games as region play begins
"Jeridi Price goes strong to the hoop."