Lady Spartans defeat N. Sevier and Gunnison

By GARY ARRINGTON Sports Writer

Despite the fact that both teams had lost earlier in the season to North Summit High, the Emery High Lady Spartans and North Sevier Lady Wolves was a highly anticipated game featuring a team full of seniors versus a team full of younger players as both were thought of as state champion possible. Emery hosted North Sevier last Thursday at the Spartan Center and the Emery fans were not disappointed as the home team dominated in a 73-40 victory.
The first quarter saw North Sevier get out to the early lead of 6-4 as both teams had trouble getting the ball to go in the basket. Emery’s rebounding dominance kept Emery in the game early as the Spartans often got multiple opportunities to score. After being down 6-2, Emery scored the next nine points and led after the first quarter 17-11. Megan Jensen had six points in that quarter to lead Emery.
Then came the second quarter, Kinlee Toomer was fouled on the Spartan’s first possession going to the basket and she made two free throws. After a missed shot by the Wolves, Emery quickly came down and Lainee Jensen hit a three-point shot. Emery then forced a turnover and Kacelyn Toomer scored on a lay-up. Another turnover led to a Bailey Huggard basket and a Megan Jensen blocked shot led to a Kinlee three-pointer. Emery missed a shot on their next possession but then Lainee hit another three and the Wolves were stunned. Emery scored fifteen points in less than two minutes as they scored on six of their first seven possessions. The game was never close again.
Emery made ten of fifteen shots in the period while the Wolves made just four of nine plus the Wolves had nine turnovers and just like that Emery won the period 27-12 and led at the half 44-23. Lainee made four of five attempts behind the three-point line in the half. All five starters scored at least seven points in the first half.
After the half Peyton Torgerson of North Sevier, their best player by the way, tried her hardest to take over the game and get her team back into but the Spartan defense would not allow it and they limited her effectiveness. Both teams scored ten points in the third quarter.
Kinlee Toomer scored Emery’s first nine points of the final period as she made a three-point shot and then hit six straight free throws. Emery won the final period 19-7. Lainee finished the game with 18 points as she made six of nine shots behind the three-point line. Kinlee finished with 19 points and Megan with 14 points. Kacelyn and Bailey each scored 7 points. Off the bench Morgan Hurdsman scored 5 points and Hailey Allred scored 3 points. All five starters pulled down five rebounds and Kinlee and Bailey each had 4 assists and Kacelyn had 3 steals.
Emery also played a game against Gunnison Valley last week in the Spartan Center and the Emery team dominated that game from the outset. Emery led 30-6 after the first quarter as Megan and Kacelyn each scored eight points and Kinlee and Lainee each scored six points. The second quarter belonged to Emery’s bench and they won the quarter 9-0. Emery’s starters played most of the third quarter and Emery won the period 21-5 and led after three periods 60-11.
Emery won the game 72-23 with the Spartan reserves playing the final ten minutes of the game.
Megan scored 17 points, Lainee scored 12 points and Kacelyn scored 12 points. Kinlee scored 8 points and Bailey scored 4 points.
Off the bench Taijah Price, Adri Childs, Kira Saling and Allred each scored 4 points, Madisyn Alton scored 3 points and Erin Hurst scored 2 points.
Megan led the way with 5 rebounds and Lainee and Kinlee each had 5 assists.
Emery will play at home Tuesday night, January 17 against San Juan and then will travel to Grand High on Thursday night.