The returning champs have one goal: defending their title.
“We have a target on our chest,” said the Emery High girls’ basketball coach Lynn Tuttle. “Everyone gives us their best game.”
After only losing one starter from their 24-1 team, the Lady Spartans look primed and ready for another run at the title. As scary as it might sound for the competition, Tuttle believes that his team has an even deeper bench this year.
“We have four girls that will come off our bench that would start anywhere else in the state in 3A,” he said. “We are nine players deep.”
Emery went to the USU Eastern tournament over the summer and finished undefeated, including victories over a 4A and 6A team. Their up-tempo offense and press defense will define the team again this year as they attempt to put up a staggering 55-60 shots a game.
“I have high hopes for this team,” Emery High’s Principal Steven Gordon added. “They have a good chance to go deep in the tournament. I see a lot of success for them in the next few years.”
As far as the biggest competition this year, Richfield remains a threat. They were the only team to defeat Emery last year, but the Spartans got revenge when they beat Richfield in the state championship game in come-from-behind fashion. Richfield lost four seniors starters from last year.
“[Richfield’s] coaches will have them ready, you can’t count them out,” Tuttle said.
Carbon will also challenge the Spartans with their young team, according to Tuttle.
For a complete Emery Girls’ Basketball schedule, search ‘Emery G. Basketball’ at https://etvnews.com/events-calendar/.