Koby Butler led the Emery Spartans to a 56-50 win over the Beaver Beavers Saturday afternoon, earning a third place finish in the 2A Tournament in Richfield.
Butler, suffering from an illness during the tournament, finished with a game-high 21 points on an ever-efficient 8-12 from the floor. He also pulled down eight rebounds.
After Beaver broke the ice for the game’s first points, Emery went on a 9-2 run. Beaver, as it would throughout the game, chipped away at Emery’s lead before the quarter break, ending 11-8.
Beaver would regain the lead in the early part of the second before an Emery 9-0 run, started on a Zach Jorgensen three at 4:40, which gave the Spartans the 22-17 halftime lead.
The Spartans again built a lead, at one point a 10-point advantage, to see the Beavers get within five, 39-34 on back-to-back buckets near the end of the period. Butler then hit a reverse lay-up with two seconds left for the 41-34 advantage at the end of the quarter.
Emery’s largest lead of the game came at the four-minute mark on another Butler field goal, giving the Spartans a 49-38 lead. Back came the Beavers as they got to within five, 51-46, on a three-pointer at the 2:07 mark. Free throws down the stretch and a Jorgensen basket with 47 seconds remaining sealed Emery’s third place finish.
Bryce Dugmore, playing in his final game for Emery, pitched in nine points, as did Zach Jorgensen. Kolton Butler added eight points, five rebounds and five assists. Bowdie Jacobson chipped in seven.
The Spartans finish the year winners of 22 games compared to just three losses.
