| Camille Fehlberg brings the ball down the floor for Emery. |
When given the chance to speak after the game, “Good game girls,” was all Alexis Swasey, a starter last season for Emery, could say. And that really was all that needed to be said as the Emery Lady Spartans defeated their first round 3-A State play-off opponent. Final score was Emery 81 and Grantsville 59 and again the game was not this close.
This was a game of pure domination by the Emery team. Although it took Emery about two minutes to actually start playing, it was over almost as soon as they did. Emery’s smothering defense led to a 17-9 first quarter score as they forced six Cowboy turnovers and stole the ball another five times. Frustration was clearly visible on the faces of the Grantsville guards.
Emery then extended the lead to 47-28 at the half as the Spartans had fantastic shooting led by Meagan Pearson’s 11 points as she hit three consecutive 3-pointers. Jodie Lundell kicked in two 3-pointers and Frankie Komar one 3-pointer and Emery was rolling.
At the half, Head Coach Steven Gordon complimented his team, “Good half of basketball, that was excellent effort and excellent execution. Way to shoot the ball, don’t rush things, make the extra pass and things will open up.” He then encouraged his team to play better defense, “Move your feet on defense, don’t just reach.”
Well it must have worked as the Spartans came out and scored the first 12 points of the second half enroute to leading 75-36 at the end of the period. Meagan hit another 3 and Rachel Rasmussen scored 7 points including another 3. Emery hit 10 3-pointers in the game.
| Bailey Kay looks for the open player. |
Emery had balanced scoring in the game as four Spartans hit double figures and three others had a shot at it but passed up open shots. No Emery player played more than half the game as almost everyone got game time.
Meagan and Jodi Robertson each had 17 points as they led the scoring. Rachel scored 12 points and Camille Fehlberg scored 10 points. ShiAnne Allred had 9 points, Jodie Lundell had 7 points and Frankie had 6 points. Sierra Bridgewater scored a point late in the game.
Camille also had 7 steals, 3 rebounds and a blocked shot. Meagan had 2 steals and 2 rebounds. Jodie L. had 4 rebounds and 2 steals while Rachel had 4 rebounds, 2 steals and a blocked shot. ShiAnne had 4 rebounds and 4 steals. Jodi R. had 9 rebounds and 3 steals as she may have played her best game as a Spartan. Jodi is just a sophomore.
Gordon was full of praise after the game, “Great ball game, way to show up to play tonight. We have one week of basketball left, let’s give it our all,” and then he added the most important truth, “If you show up with the intensity you showed tonight, you’ll beat whoever it is we play. We’re the best team out there.” And that says it all.
And that is why Alexis is right with “good job girls.” There is much more to accomplish as their aim is at the big trophy as they win it all. This game is just a step to get to their final destination.
Emery will open the tournament in St. George with local favorite Hurricane on Thursday. Hurricane finished second in the south region and has the second best record in the tournament. Game time is 5:50 p.m. at the Burns Arena on the campus of Dixie State College.