Written By Hayden Johnson
RICHFIELD- Emery played in its last game of the season on Saturday as it faced off against the Parowan Rams for fifth place in the 2A tournament. The two teams faced off earlier in the year in which Emery fell in a close one. The Spartans were able to enact a little payback as they finished the game strong and got the win, 62-57.
Dillon Wilstead was big for the Spartans with a game-high 25 points to go along with four steals. Bailey Faimalo had a good game with 11 points and 10 assists and Gavin McDermott chipped in 12 points and seven boards.
Emery started out the game hot and the Spartans commanded an 8-2 lead early. Faimalo assisted on each of the first four field goals. Parowan would rebound, however, and came back to tie the game 16-16 at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter was really competitive, with neither team able to get a big advantage. They traded buckets and traded leads throughout the entire quarter. The Rams were able to get the lead off of a couple of consecutive baskets late and Parowan led 31-27 at the half.
McDermott played really well in the second half and despite some defensive struggles for the Spartans Emery was able to take the 40-39 lead. Parowan once again got out in front by hitting from beyond the arc and they retook the lead. Then Wilstead went off, he was able to get to the rim and score four buckets in a row to tie the game at 44. Two late field goals by the Rams again put Parowan up at the end of the quarter, 48-44.
Parowan held the early advantage as it got out to a 52-47 lead but it was all Emery from there. The Spartans stormed back and had a huge fourth quarter. McDermott fouled out and so Drexler Tanner stepped up and played great defense in his place, making a few key stops for the Spartans. McKlane Allred hit a huge three that put Emery up 58-57 with less than two minutes left and on the next possession Faimalo picked the Rams guard’s pocket and got an easy layup at the other end. Emery was able to clinch the game with free throws and ended its season with a win.
Senior guard Faimalo finished with averages of 14.4 points per game, 9.5 assists per game and 3.7 steals per game. Faimalo led the entire state in assists, and was able to find his teammates in good spots while still remaining a scoring threat himself and strong defensively.
Senior forward/guard Allred averaged 7.3 points per game, 3.0 rebounds per game and 1.6 threes a game.
“I’m sad that the season is over, but this was a good win to go out on,” he said.
Senior forward Gavin McDermott averaged 11.8 points per game, 9.5 rebounds per game and shot 53% from the field, the best on the team.
“This year was awesome and we all worked really hard,” he said. “I was glad that we bounced back and went out on a good note with two wins.”
Senior center/forward Drexler Tanner averaged 3.9 points per game, 7.2 rebounds per game and shot 51% from the field.
“I’m so grateful for such a team and the opportunity to work every day with such caliber of men, players and coaches,” he said. “So blessed.”
The team finished the season 18-7, including a 6-4 Region 15 mark.
