Emery and Jordan will battle for the girls' 3A state basketball title tonight at 5 p.m. at Murray High, thanks to a pair of exciting semi-final wins Friday night.
The Spartans overcame a 13-point deficit to down Bear River 58-56, while Jordan threw a sticky defense on Pine View and prevailed with a 53-47 win over the Panthers.Emery fell behind the Bears from Tremonton rather quickly, as Bear River built a 13-6 first quarter lead. The Bear advantage increased to 32-23 at halftime, and when Bear River scored the first four points of the second half, the Spartans faced a 36-23 deficit.
Coach Duane Merrell's team slowly climbed back into the contest as Stephanie Snow, Marci Stilson and Tasha Bradley began to control the boards. Stilson was particularly impressive, grabbing rebound after rebound, and when Melanie Oviatt scored in the final six seconds of the third quarter, Emery was back to within five at 41-36.
The Spartans took their first lead midway through the final period when Angie Downard scored to put Emery up 48-46. The lead then seesawed until a basket by Stilson, a hoop by Bradley and free throws from Julie Hansen made it 55-49 with 1:11 to go. Emery held a 58-53 lead with five seconds left when Bear River's Shanna Stevens drilled a three-pointer, but Emery wisely let time expire before inbounding.
Stilson scored 21, Snow added 13 and Bradley 10 for Emery. Bear River was led by Chalyce Stevens with 26 and Shanna Stevens with 18.
Jordan 53, Pine View 47
The Beetdiggers went on a 14-0 run in the second half to break open a close game with Pine View, ending the Panthers' hopes for a state title. With the score tied at 35-all, Pineview went over six minutes without a basket, while Jordan ran off and hid behind Nikki Epperson's fine performance at guard.
Coach Tim Lewis, who led Timpview to a boy's 3A state title just three years ago, will now lead his Lady `Diggers into tonight's final. Pineview made a run in the final four minutes of the game, but free throws by Jordan freshman Brooke Epperson with 24 seconds left iced the win.
Marti Callister had another steady game for Jordan, scoring 18, with Nikki Epperson adding 15 and Kristy Deem nine. Pine View's Nikki Shaheen had 12 points and Vickie Larson added nine. Jordan meets Emery for the title at 5 p.m., with Pineview taking on Bear River for third at 3:15.
Bountiful 57, Carbon 53
In consolation action, the Braves earned a berth in the final with an overtime win, as Nikki Hanni scored 32 points. Kim Reimann scored four of her 12 points in the overtime, and Jenny Gardner added seven for the game. Carbon was led by Jenny Powell with 15.
Judge 56, Murray 47
The Bulldogs will battle Bountiful for the consolation title thanks to a win over Region Six foe Murray. Judge received balanced scoring as Joann Jorgensen netted 15, Kris Thompson had 13 and Amy Green 12. Murray's season ended as Megan Clawson scored 25 points and Kim Olsen tallied 12.
Ogden 53, Springville 43
Mary Giles scored 16 and Laurel Castle 12 as the Tigers continued to be the tournament's most surprising team, eliminating the defending state champs. Ogden led 34-19 at the half, and coaches Philip Russell and Lucille Brizzee brilliantly kept the Red Devils at bay the second half to move the Tigers into a fifth-seventh place game with Uintah. Springville's top scorers were Julie Kirby with 14 and Stacey MacArthur with 13.
Uintah 59, Logan 49
The Utes sent Logan packing with a 10-point victory. Linda Emmett tallied 21 and Amanda Wixom 12, while teammates Carissa Barker and Monique Reidhead each scored 10. Logan was led by Wendy Coray's five three-pointers and 18 points, and Cori Jensen's 16 point performance.