| Shala Pitchforth jumps high at the beginning of the game against Cedar. |
For the second time this season, the Lady Spartans lost a big game because of free throws. The first time, it cost Emery a share of the region crown, and this time it kept them home from the E Center and the state playoffs. Emery lost to Cedar City 60-57 last Saturday night to end their season.
In a game that featured 50 some fouls, 77 free throws and six players fouling out, the Spartans were done in by their 44 percent free throw shooting. Emery was 3 for 9 from the line in the first quarter, a respectable 10 for 17 in the second quarter, 1 for 4 in the third quarter and 6 for 15 in the fourth quarter to finish the game 20 for 45. Cedar finished the game 17 for 32.
Emery opened the game playing good defense and scoring as they took the ball to the basket. They got out to a 15-7 lead. Cedar City then scored the next 10 points as Emery was plagued with missed shots and turnovers. In the second period, Emery was able to only score a single basket from the field along with their free throws. The score was tied at the half 27-27. Each team then scored 13 points in the third quarter.
In the final period, Emery tied the score at 55-55 with 56 seconds left in the game. Cedar City scored a basket with 33 seconds left and was fouled but they missed the free throw. Camille Fehlberg scored as she drove the middle to tie the score at 57 apiece and she was fouled. She also missed a free throw. Cedar City then hit three more free throws to get the win.
Fehlberg was the leading scorer in the game with 16 points followed by Alexis Swasey with 11 points. Natalee Hanson scored 9 points, Shala Pitchforth scored 7 points, Ashley Hansen scored 4 points, Meagan Pearson scored 4 points, Callie Seely scored 2 points and Rachel Rasmussen had a single point.
Emery finished the season 16-5 and 6-2 in region play. The Emery girls averaged 53.95 points a game while giving up 44.15 points per game.
The 9.80 difference was the fourth best in the state.
Hanson was the leading scorer with a 16 point average followed by Swasey with a 9.40 average and Fehlberg at a 9.30 average.