The Lady Spartans of Emery High School traveled to Logan last week and participated in the Mountain Crest Invitational. Playing three games against schools three times their size did not matter though to the Spartans as they continued their winning ways. On Thursday, Emery defeated Highland High of Pocatello, Idaho 53-49 in a game that went to double overtime. On Friday, Emery played Lehi and defeated last season region mate and this year’s biggest 4-A school 48-33. On Saturday, Emery defeated host Mountain Crest 55-44. Emery is now 6-0 this season.
On Thursday, Emery finished regulation tied with Highland 36-36. After finishing the first overtime tied again, Emery outscored the Rams by four points in the final overtime to secure the victory.
Camille Fehlberg was the leading scorer for Emery with 16 points. Alexis Swasey added 13 points, Shala Pitchforth had 12 points and Jodi Lundell finished with 10 points as four Spartans finished in double figures. Also scoring were Ashley Hansen with 2 points and Tahna Merrell with 1 point.
Highland’s two post players led their team with 34 points while Emery scored most of their points at the guard line. Emery missed 13 shots in the paint and was 16 for 25 at the free throw line. As Coach Steve Gordon has said all season “make lay-ups and free throws and we will be OK.”
Against Lehi, Emery got off to a good start as they led 15-9 at the end of the first quarter. A four point second quarter by Emery allowed Lehi back into the game as they were tied 19-19 at the half. Camille, who had had 8 points in the first quarter, hit three shots in the third quarter to pace Emery on offense and her quickness and speed helped the Spartans harass the Pioneers on defense as Emery allowed Lehi only 7 points in each of the second half periods.
Emery was eight for 14 on fourth quarter free throws as Lehi resorted to fouling to try to get back into the game. Fehlberg finished the game with 18 points. Also scoring were Swasey with 9 points, Meagan Pearson with 8 points, Pitchforth with 4 points, Merrell and Hansen with 3 points each and Rachel Rasmussen with 2 points.
Emery finished off the week with a victory over the host team. After a close first half, Emery used a big third quarter of defense as they limited the Mustangs to 5 points while scoring 13 points. Emery had the lead 29-26 at the break, increased the lead to 42-31 at the end of three periods and then never allowed their opponent back into the game as they continued their winning ways.
Fehlberg, who was the envy of every other coach in Logan and who is a delight to watch play for Emery fans; again was the leading scorer with 17 points. She leads the team with a 17.6 average.
Also scoring were Pearson and Lundell with 9 points each, Hansen and Swasey with 6 points each and Pitchforth and Merrell with 4 points each.
Coach Gordon talked about his team, “We’re starting to play as a team as several of the players are now scoring better as we balance out our team scoring. We have to continue to improve our free throw shooting and our close in shooting as we continue to get better.”
After not handling the press effectively against North Sevier last week, Emery did much better this week, “Camille handled the ball really well as we handled their press of Mountain Crest. We beat it so easily as they quickly came out of it. We played our best game of the year on Saturday.”
For fans wanting to watch this exciting basketball team, you will have to be patient as Emery is on the road again this week at Dixie and Pine View this Thursday and Friday. They finally come home on Dec. 21 to play Uintah.
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