After rallying from a nine point deficit in the fourth quarter to take a one point lead late in the game, the Emery Spartans saw the South Summit Wildcats finish the game on a 9-2 run, earning a spot in next week’s 3A Quarterfinals in St. George. The loss finished Emery’s season.
Kyson Stilson scored a game-high 29 points, including a go-ahead bucket with 1:23 remaining in the game, giving the Spartans a 72-71 lead. Stilson went 9-14 from the floor, including a perfect 10-10 from the free throw line.
Despite shooting 57% from the floor in the first half, Emery took its first lead of the game, 33-31, right before the halftime buzzer sounded after a 6-0 run.
Stilson took over in the second half, going 6-9 and 8-8 from the free throw line, to help the Spartans keep pace with the defensively minded Wildcats. Brax Jensen added 16 more points on 5-12 from the floor and 6-7 from the line. Emery shot a combined 25-30 (83%) from the free throw line in the game. The Spartans shot 46% (23-30) from the floor, including a 3-16 clip from three.
Two other players scored in the double figures for Emery; Easton Gordon with 14 and 10 more from Cade Brazier.
Three Spartans saw the court for the final time in an Emery uniform. Tyler Butler, Alex Orozco and Gordon finished their high school basketball careers after the loss.
Emery finished the season 11-11, including a 5-7 mark in Region 15 action.
