| Kyler Edgehouse against the Hawks. |
The Emery Spartans dominated the North Sanpete Hawks in the first half of basketball to win their fourth region contest. Emery held the Hawks to 8 points in each of the first two quarters while scoring 15 and 21 points respectively to lead by 20 points at the break.
Senior Vic Rosen had a good first period as he scored three times inside as he was often in the right place at the right time. Rosen and Darrin Winn owned the paint in this game as they collected the rebounds, blocked shots and kept the Hawks from doing any damage inside.
Emery executed both offensively and defensively in the second quarter as they broke open a close game. North Sanpete, playing under a new head coach, did not have answers in the second period to combat the Emery onslaught. Emery finished the game with 14 steals and eight blocks.
All six Emery players that normally see playing time in varsity games scored in that first half. Rosen led the way with 10 points.
To start the third quarter, Dave Justice took the ball to the hoop the first two times down court and scored 4 points to put Emery up by 24 points. Seven straight North Sanpete points dampened the Emery fan enthusiasm for about 30 seconds as Emery responded with 8 straight points of their own to grab a 25-point lead. Winn led the Emery effort with 6 points.
The final period left Emery fans irritated as North Sanpete came out in a press and got very physical with the Emery players. The play seemed to be by design and Emery fans wanted more fouls called on the seemingly dirty play of the Hawks. Despite the endless contact, Emery players only shot 8 free throws in that period. One Emery fan used the word thuggery to describe their style of play.
North Sanpete outscored Emery in that final quarter 20-15 as Coach Jeffs went to the bench early in the period and North Sanpete still had starters on the floor at the end.
Four Spartans finished the game in double figures. Winn led the way with 14 points. Winn also finished with seven rebounds and five blocked shots. Rosen and Kyler Edgehouse each finished the game with 12 points. Rosen was the team leader in rebounds as he finished with eleven.
Josh Eden hit three 3-pointers and was one for two at the free throw line to finish with 10 points.
Justice finished the game with 9 points and five assists. Dempsey Jeffs hit a pair of three-pointers and was two for two at the free throw line to finish with 8 points.
Kade Jones hit a 3-pointer in the fourth quarter and sophomore Skyler Jorgenson hit a free throw to close out the Emery scoring.
Emery is on the road this week as they travel to Juan Diego and Granite on Wednesday and Friday nights. Emery is in a battle with Juan Diego and Carbon for region honors and the right to host a playoff game in three weeks as the season comes to a close.