ETV News Stock Photo by Dusty Butler
After taking third in state last year, the Spartans are excited for the chance to have a better showing this upcoming season. Emery will rely on experience from its talented ball hander, Brax Jensen, and tough, big man, Kyler Wilstead, both of whom started last year. After losing key players from last year’s team, including leading scorer Kyson Stilson, the Spartans will also need help from seniors such as Justin Rasmussen, the scrappy Jordan Ekker and Seth Justice, to go along with several underclassman.
The boys will look to build off a solid summer that saw them victors in the USUE tournament and runner-ups in a tournament down in Southern Utah. “It was a good summer, everyone has improved,” said head coach Todd Jeffs. Jeffs is entering his 32nd year at the helm of the Spartan basketball program and is constantly looking for ways to get better. “We need to improve on our defense [from last year] and we have no size again, which hurts us. [But] we have good quickness and shooters.”
The Spartans will go against a familiar face in the rivalry game against Carbon as Jared Butler, the long-time assistant coach to Jeffs, is now the head coach of the Dinos. “We will miss him over here. He’s been a big part of our program,” said Jeffs. “I wish him the best of luck in all but two to three games a year. He’s ready.”
The goals for the Spartans do not change. Every year, Emery is looking to win region and a state title. What will be the deciding factor? In Jeffs words, “How well we play together.” The Spartans are in a tough region with San Juan and Richfield, both of which are each bringing back talented squads. Judge Memorial and Manti will also be vying for a title and would be formable foes in a state elimination game.
Jeffs concluded, “We are pretty excited to get going. With the new RPI system, every game counts. You can’t afford a big slump.” There is no doubt it will be fun to see how far this Spartan team can go.