High school girls basketball: South Summit’s Emma Broadbent breaks 29-year-old career rebounds state record

Published: Feb 7, 2025, 8:09 a.m. MST

South Summit senior Emma Broadbent (1) grabs a rebound during a game against Union at South Summit High School in Kamas on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025. Brice Tucker, Deseret News

James has been covering high school sports in Utah for the Deseret News for three decades.

In many respects, Emma Broadbent breaking the career rebounds state record has been an inevitability if she stayed healthy.

The staggering rebounding numbers the South Summit senior tallied last season put her within striking distance of a record nearly three decades old. All she had to do was generate similar production this season, and the record was hers.

That moment finally came on Tuesday as the 6-foot-1 Broadbent collected 20 rebounds to surpass the previous state record of 1,464 career rebounds set by Beaver’s Makenzie Gillins from 1992 to 1996.

After Broadbent added 21 more rebounds to her career total in Thursday’s senior night 48-38 win over Juab, her record now stands at 1,494. — and counting as the 2A playoffs tip off next week.

“Emma is a once in a generation player, the fact that she had 1000 points and 1000 rebounds by the end of her junior year is incredible,” said South Summit coach Matt Mapstone. “Emmas’ footwork is what makes her a great scorer and rebounder.”

South Summit senior Emma Broadbent (1) talks with her coach and team in a timeout during a game against Union at South Summit High School in Kamas on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News

South Summit senior Emma Broadbent (1) reaches for a rebound during a game against Union at South Summit High School in Kamas on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News

South Summit senior Emma Broadbent, center stands with her parents Linsey Broadbent, left, and David Broadbent, right, while being honored for her state record before a game against Union at South Summit High School in Kamas on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News

South Summit senior Emma Broadbent (1) puts up a free throw during a game against Union at South Summit High School in Kamas on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News

South Summit senior Emma Broadbent (1) dribbles the ball down the court during a game against Union at South Summit High School in Kamas on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News

South Summit senior Emma Broadbent (1) attempts to block a shot during a game against Union at South Summit High School in Kamas on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News

South Summit senior Emma Broadbent (1) puts up a shot during a game against Union at South Summit High School in Kamas on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News

Broadbent’s rebounding numbers are pretty staggering. For starters, she’s led the state in rebounding three straight season, including averaging 20.3 this year.

Last season she averaged 18.2 rebounds as she recorded a then-state record 436 rebounds. Even as a sophomore she averaged 17.4 rebounds.

In 91 career games, she’s reached double-digits rebounds 78 times. Of the 13 games she didn’t, 12 occurred during her freshman year when she still averaged 8.2 boards.

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She’s collected double-digit rebounds in 65 straight games, including Thursday night’s win.

“I think everyone realized at the end of last season that the record was attainable,” said Mapstone about the career accomplishment.

Broadbent is a great scorer as well as she’s averaging 20.4 points in addition two 2.0 assist per game.

Broadbent will continue her college career athletically playing volleyball at Southern Virginia.

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