Snow in St. George cancelled the first scheduled basketball game for the Emery High Spartans last week and the extra day of rest allowed the boys to romp all over the San Juan Broncos by an 81-65 score.
Southern Utah does not get snow that stays very often and when they did this time, it shut down the local schools. It seems that Dixie does not have enough snow removal equipment to do the job of getting the roads open. Desert Hills was forced to stay home and the scheduled game was cancelled. Emery had defeated the Thunder earlier in the year 60-46.
On Friday night, San Juan came to town and Emery won big. Although the final margin was 16 points, the game outcome was still in doubt early in the fourth quarter.
San Juan got out to the early lead. Emery tied the score at 5-5 but never led in the first quarter and in fact never led in the first half. The Broncos outscored Emery 18-13 in the first quarter. Both teams scored 20 points in the second quarter as San Juan maintained their advantage. Colton Barnett paced the first half effort with 10 points as six different Spartans scored.
Emery got out quickly after the break as they tied the game at 39-39 and then actually took the lead and never relinquished it after this point. Emery maintained their offensive prowess in the period as they scored 22 points and the Spartans held the Broncos to 11 points. Nevin Jensen scored seven points in the quarter to pace the Spartans.
The fourth quarter saw the Spartans maintain their intensity and scoring as they won the quarter 26-16 and the game. Jason Giles had a great quarter defensively and also scored 12 points in his best showing of the season. Giles went five for five at the free throw line in the period. Barnett scored 10 points and was six for six at the free throw line.
As a team, Emery went 15 for 15 from the line in the period and finished 19 for 20 at the line for the game. San Juan went 11 for 24 comparatively.
Four Emery Spartans finished in double figures for the game led by Barnett with 23 points. Giles was next with 17 points and Jensen finished with 13 points. Cameron Hansen had 10 points for the team. Also scoring in the game were Tanner Procarione with eight points and Gatlan Huntington with seven points. Brett Mecham scored two points for Emery to round out the scoring.
Coach Todd Jeffs after the game to his team, “We are getting better. You beat a good team tonight. You played a great game.” He then added, “We have got a lay-off coming up (for the holidays). You have got to keep in shape. Running and shooting is good.”
The Spartans next game is Jan. 7 when they will travel to Wasatch High on Jan. 9, the Spartans will host Kanab in preparation for the region season starting the next week.
Spartans romp over Broncos
"Cameron Hansen plays defense for Emery."