The setting wasn't a television commercial for an overnight delivery service, but the message was about the same - here comes Emery.
The upstart Spartans dismantled defending champion Springville, 57-43, Thursday night to move into the championship semifinals of the state 3A girls' basketball tournament.Emery joins fellow finalists Bear River, Jordan and Pineview in tonight's semis, with the Spartans tackling the Bears at 6 p.m. and Jordan locking horns with Pineview at 7:30.
Springville took an early 7-2 lead Thursday, but the Spartans battled back to tie the game at 8-all just as the first quarter ended. From that point, Emery was in command. Using the superior inside height of 6-2 forward Stephanie Snow, 6-2 center Marci Stilson and 6-0 forward Tasha Bradley, the Spartans were pretty much able to do what they wanted in the paint.
Leading 23-16, Bradley scored, Snow tallied and Stilson added a free throw to push the score to 28-16. Springville's Julie Kirby stopped the run with a hoop, and as the quarted wound down, the lead was reduced to 34-26. At that point, Emery went on a 10-point tear as Angie Downard scored four points and Snow racked up six more.
And now, Emery has to be considered a strong favorite for the title. Snow led the way with 18 points, Stilson added 15 and Downard five. Bradley reinjured an ankle in the final quarter, and her status for tonight is somewhat in doubt.
Bear River 56, Ogden 29
The Bears ended the Cinderella title hopes of youthful Ogden, which had pulled the biggest upset of the tourney on Wednesday by beating host Murray. But Thursday night belonged to the Tremonton gals, who finally broke open a close game in the fourth quarter.
Ogden was playing on even terms with Bear River through most of the first three periods, though neither team was shooting well. In the final period, the Bears pulled from a 30-23 lead to a large victory thanks to eight points from Lisa Evans and seven from Teressa Butler. Shauna Stevens led the Bears with 17, Evans added 14 and Tina Hunsaker 10. Laurel Castle scored 11 and Mary Giles nine for the Tigers.
Jordan 52, Logan 32
The Region Six Beetdiggers dropped Region Five's champion in surprisingly easy fashion to advance to the semis. Jordan took an 18-8 first quarter lead, then really salted the win away with a strong third period, outscoring Logan 13-4.
Senior Marti Callister was the big gun for the 'Diggers as usual, scoring 27 points to go along with teammate Kristy Deem's 10. Brook Epperson added eight for Jordan. Logan was paced by Cori Jensen with 10 and Wendy Coray with seven.
Pineview 52, Uintah 49
Pineview survived a fourth-quarter rally from Uintah to move into the final four, as three players hit double figures. Nikki Shaheen poured in 17 points, Brenda Huddleston added 15 and Vickie Larson 11. Uintah's Amanda Wixon scored 14 points, while Linda Emmett added 13 and Carissa Barker netted 11.
Consolation bracket
Murray 38, Dixie 28
The host Spartans rebounded from the Ogden loss to eliminate the Flyers. Dixie scored only 14 points in the final three quarters, while Murray overcame a 14-13 deficit in the second quarter and never trailed again.
Julianna Tanner led Murray with 15 and Megan Clawson had 12. Dixie was paced by the McArthur sisters, Tina and Lynette, both of whom scored eight points.
Judge 56, Skyview 45
The Bulldogs finished the Bobcats' season as Erin Hartigan got hot from outside. She scored 14 points to add to teammate Kris Thompson's 17 inside, and Judge withstood six three-pointers from Skyview.
Tara Jensen had four of those treys and scored 19 for Skyview.
Bountiful 60, Box Elder 48
The Braves' outstanding center, senior Nikki Hanni, exploded for 26 points, while point guard Kim Reimann racked up 18 as Bountiful stayed alive and sent the Bees back home. Bountiful trailed 40-39 entering the final quarter, but came alive as sophomore Jenny Gardner pitched in with 10 points.
Box Elder received three three-point baskets and 22 points from freshman Laura Baird, and Tonya Stokes added 13, but it wasn't enough.
Carbon 60, Cedar City 54
Carbon watched as the Lady Redmen made only 19 of 43 free throws in a contest which eliminated Cedar City. Carbon outscored Cedar 22-13 in the final quarter to earn the win.
Paula Madrid netted 23, Dion Carlson 11 and Jenny Powell 10 for Carbon, while Cedar was paced by Laura Jo Barney with 15 and Michelle Holyoak with 11.