Last week the Emery High Lady Spartans played just a single game and took their region record to 6-0 with the lopsided 65-28 over the home team, the San Juan Broncos. After playing to a 19-17 halftime advantage, Emery exploded in the second half as they outscored the home team 18-5 in the third quarter and 28-6 in the fourth quarter.
Coach Dean Stilson kept his starters on the floor most of the game in an apparent attempt to help them play better and it worked in that second half. After the first half that was somewhat under played, the players responded in the second half with great team and individual play.
This Emery team should be one of the favorites to do well in the upcoming state tournament and it is probably time to play their best as the season end is in sight. The 2-A state play-offs begin in a couple of weeks and it is time to get playing in playoff mode.
Emery has started shooting the ball better from everywhere. Emery last week was 17 for 21 at the free throw line, a great improvement from earlier this season, they were 15 for 29 on two-point field goals and six for 21 on three point shooting.
In this game, Hannah Dyer led the team in scoring with 19 points. The senior has done well this season in being aggressive with the ball. Ashlynn Allred scored 14 points, had 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals as she played a complete game. Bailey Rasmussen, who has been playing well in the middle for Emery, scored 12 points, pulled down 7 rebounds and had six steals.
Also scoring were Kelsie Cox with 9 points, Ashton Bell with 7 points and Paytn Jeffs and Cassidy Labrum with 2 points each. It was nice to see Cox more active on the offensive end as her additional scoring in the playoffs will help make the team stronger.
Emery will host North Sevier on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. in the Spartan Center and then the team will travel to South Sevier on Thursday.
On Feb. 11 the team will host Grand at home. On Feb. 13 the team will travel to Wasatch Academy to close out the season.
The first round inter-region playoffs will be Feb. 21.
Meet the Lady Spartans
"Back row: Coach Brandi Truman, Coach Dean Stilson, Hannah Dyer, Lexi Chynoweth, Kabri Butler Jessica Olsen, Aniston Curtis, Bailey Rasmussen, Lexie Huntington, Paytn Jeffs, Emily Olsen, Ashton Bell, Cassidy Labrum, Coach Brink Griffin, Coach Ty Jensen Front row: Erin Hurst, Kelsie Cox, Shadleigh Allred, Camery Johnson, Kambrie Hinkins, Skyler Sitterud, Jessica Mason, Taijah Price, Ashlynn Allred and Baylor Griffin."