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Show 6A Emery County Progress Tuesday, November 15, 1988 IPGEOTS All eyes are on Emery hoop season By LARRY W. DAVIS Progress editor Before the basketball season has even opened, the Emery High Spartans are under a lot of pressure. Coach Todd Jeffs, beginning his first year as head coach, said that for obvious reasons, all eyes are on Emery. Those obvious reasons can be narrowed to one big reason, 74 junior center Shawn Bradley. Everyone thinks that this coach team will dominate, Jeffs said. I dont see that happening. Were just too young and undeveloped to dominate games, especially early in the season. The only one on this team with any varsity experience is Shawn, so itll take a while for us to get things going. But the pressure isnt something the coach or the team is too worried about. Im not the coach said. complaining, Id rather be where were at now than with a team not expected to win any games. The kids arent feeling the pressure so much. They dont think theyre on top of the world, and they know that they have a long way to go that theyll have to earn every win they get. In fact, coach Jeffs said that several teams will begin the campaign ahead of Emery simply because of their returning players. He lists Richfield and Wasatch as two of the best teams in 2A this season, and he adds that Delta will be very competitive. Delta has four very talented juniors on their team this season, Jeffs said. Three of 1988-8- 9 them were starters as sophomores last season. Richfield will have Cuff (Ryan), and a couple of other players who played a lot on their championship team of last year. Wasatch will have good experience coming back too. Wasatch finished second at state in 1988. But Emery will have Bradley, a coachs dream and the quest of recruiters from all over the country. Were a marked team with Bradley, Jeffs said. All of the teams will want to knock off the team with this big guy. Theyll all be pumped up for us and the other top teams in the state. The coach doesnt beat around the bush when he says that Emerys offense this season will revolve around Bradley. With a kid that big and talented, wed be crazy not to get the ball into his hands at every The coach said that junior Cody Allred was expected to try out, but has been recovering from an injury to his wrist suffered during the final football game. However, the coach said he may get a late tryout. op- He portunity, Jeffs said. handles himself real well in the paint, runs the floor unlike most big men and has matured a lot over last season. The coach said that Bradley hasnt let recruiting pressures get to him. Hes been contacted by over 70 colleges and has his list down to 16 colleges, and its really an impressive list. He wont make a decision until after his senior season. Last season Bradley started for the Spartans as a sophomore and averaged about 10 points per game while pulling down an average of 11 rebounds. He also averaged five blocks per game. Hes our man, Jeffs said. If a team wants to stop Emery, theyll have to stop Bradley. n But basketball is not a coach Jeffs and game, adds that the Spartans will have solid talent, if inexperienced, in every position. Two seniors have made the team this season. They are 67 forward Lynn Tuttle who lettered as a junior in a limited role, and point guard Todd Huntington, a 511 ball handler who plays with a lot of intelligence and makes few mistakes. Each will give the team leadership and court sense. Along with Bradley, several juniors have made the team. one-ma- shoots Steven Gordon, at well from anywhere on the court. In a junior varsity game last season he scored 41 points in just three periods.' Coach Jeffs said that hell be playing the off guard position but can also fill in at point guard. Ryan Stilson, a 62 off guard, is aiso a good shooter who drives to the basket well and plays good defense. According to the coach, he could see some action at forward as well. Chris Wilson becomes At a versatile player for the 61, 64, Spartans. Jeffs said he has always been a good rebounder and defensive player and his offensive skills are showing a lot of improvement. In the Emery system, Wilson fits into many roles, having the skills to play big or small forward, or off guard. Sure to fill up the middle of any keyhole is Emerys 66 front-lin- e player Jason Nelson. He is a strong rebounder, and the coach said he controls whatever space he takes up. He has shown a strong, aggressive style of play thus far. Scott Cheynoweth and Rob Wagoner, also juniors, will give the Spartans depth at the guardline. The two and will help on Sophomores on the team are Gus Child, Brink Griffin, Jared Butler, Mike Cole, Monte Cologie, Jeff Cowley and Jason Huntington. They will make up the bulk of the junior varsity team which will be coached by Jimmy Jones. Emery will open the season with a road trip which begins at Grand on Nov. 23. The team will also travel to Morgan on Nov. 25 and on Nov. 26 will be at Wasatch as the Thanksgiving Holiday will not be much of a holiday for Emery. I like the idea of playing the first few games on the road, the coach said. I think it will help to take the pressure off and give us a chance to get used to each other. Were playing teams we can beat, so that should give us a chance to try some things and look at some different combinations before our league play begins. For Emery, the first region game could be the biggest game of the season before the tournament. Emery will be at Richfield on Dec. 9. The first home game will be on Dec. 6 when Emery hosts Delta. Here the complete , Jan.4,Manti Jan. 6, at Gunnison Jan. 13, North Sanpete Jan. 18, at Millard jan.20, at Juab Jan. 26, atManti Feb. 1, Gunnison Feb. 10 at North Sanpete Feb. 17, Juab Feb. region tournament state at SUSC March are quick pressure situations. Also, Russell Wilstead, at 62, will defensive is schedule: Nov. 23, atMoab Nov. 25, at Morgan Nov. 26, at Wasatch Dec. 2, at South Sevier Dec. 3, at Carbon Dec. 9, at Richfield Dec. 16, Delta Dec. 17,Lehi Dec. 23, North Sevier,. help bulk up the middle. The coach says he is a good worker. 23-2- 5, 1-- 4, Emery will be telling some tall stories in basketball this season, and most will be true as the Spartans will look to 7'4" junior center Shawn Bradley for offensive and defensive production. Emery football Wrestling begins Some of the best teams in the statistics are in state will be at Emery High School next Tuesday By LARRY W. DAVIS Progress editor Statistics for the 1988 Emery County High School football season were recently released. Emery ended the season on Oct. 28 when it was eliminated from play by San Juan. That left Emery with a 4 season record with two losses to San Juan and a loss to Richfield and Delta. However, Emery did get a playoff win over Wasatch and defeated Millard during the regular season. Millard last week defeated Richfield for the 2A championship title. A look at Emerys statistics for the season show that th Spartans gained 2,925 totax yards to 1,944 total yards to their opponents. The Spartans finished with 224 points while post-seas- season wrestling derway. The annual Emery Spartan Tournament will begin at 3 p.m. in the gym as the local team tries to defend the title it won a year ago. It may not be as easy this year with challenges coming from Delta and Spanish Fork. The Rabbits are the defending 2A state champions while Spanish Fork is also expected to field a contending team in the 3A ranks. on 6-- opponents scored just 134 points. Scoring by quarter shows Emery with 62 points in the first; 62 in the second; 50 in the third; and 50 in the fourth. Opponents scored 39 points in the first period; 29 in the second; 29 in the third; and 37 in the fourth. Running back Chris McCourt, a senior, led the team in scoring with 56 points which came on nine touchdowns and one conversion. Junior running back Cray Arnold was second in scoring with five touchdowns for 30 points. Blake Butler and Cody Allred, receivers, scored four ouchdowns each while Lyle as the gets un- Also scheduled for the tour- nament are Wasatch Academy, North Sanpete, Carbon, East Carbon, Green River, San and Grand. t,U i x, AH r ft -- f"'- vLb i i&i also an important part of the offensive unit as well. Above, Spencer, No. 70, blocks for running back Lyle Everett. McCourt also had the teams tight end, caught 20 passes for Emery High football s istics show that senior Nathan Spence led the team In most defensive statistics, but Spencer was Everett, Steven Gordon and Ryan Stilson scored three touchdowns each. Shane Gentry contributed 20 points on 17 touchdown conversions and one field goal. The most points scored against Emery this season was 26, scored by Delta. They came on four touchdowns and a conversion. Juab, a team which didnt win a game this season, scored the next highest total at 23. The only team that Emery did not allow to score was South Sevier. I t best rushing figures. He had 668 yards on 112 carries for a 5.91 yards per carry average. In passing, junior quarterback Ryan Stilson completed 97 of 197 passes for a 49 percent completion average and 1,277 yards and 12 touchdowns. Catching most of those passes was junior wide receiver Cody Allred who pulled in 35 passes for 490 yards and three touchdowns. Steven Gordon, also a junior, caught 29 passes for 424 yards and two touchdowns. Blake Butler, a yards and four touchdowns. Defensively, senior lineman Nathan Spencer led the team in tackles in all categories. He finished the season with 42 unassisted tackles, 37 assisted tackles, 10 quarterback sacks, seven tackles for lost yardage, and he had a fumble recovery. Senior free safety Mark Justice led the team in pass interceptions with five while 221 McCourt, Allred, Brandon Sanchez and Gordon had four each. Coach Mark Hansen said that as many as six matches will be taking place at a time in the early rounds, so the tournament should get to the championship round quickly. All matches will be held the same day. Emery began practicing last week, but the coach said that wrestle-off- s will not be held until later this week. Still, Emery should have some talent on the team this year with several experienced wrestlers back. The Spartan depth chart lists sophomore Bryant Hansen as the only wrestler in the lightest weight division 103, and the coach said that he is under that weight. At 112, Emery does have some varsity experience with Mike Eden, a junior, expected to start the season. Also at that weight is Robbie Oveson, a sophomore. Dax Gallegos, also a sophomore, is listed at the top of the 119-l- b. sophomore i Juan division Bodee while is Allred scheduled to wrestle at 125. One of Emerys most perienced ex- wrestlers, Joe are junior Eric Winder, a senior, will wrestle at 130. Winder took first at the region meet last year and placed at the state meet. At 135, Lance Hurst, a senior, should see varsity action, while Jason Jewkes, a senior, and Dusty VanBuren, a sophomore, are battling for the nod at 140. Junior Lyle Everett has looked good in the 145 spot, and at 152, Travis Hess, Corey VanBuren, Seth Coyne, Travis Coyne and Kip Jacobsen have been battling. Shane Gagon, a senior who wrestled at 171 last year, is dropping down to 160 this season. Casey Allred, also a senior, and Brandon Hess, a junior, are also wrestling in that division. Chris McCourt, one of Emerys top wrestlers this season and a placer at state last season, is wrestling at 171 along with junior Rjay Stucki. Shaun Jeffs, a junior, and senior Jeff Tharp, are looking to win the 189 division. In the unlimited division, David Turner, a senior, is hoping to do well. He has placed at state in lower divisions in the past. Also wrestling in this category Mortensen and sophomore Mike BaU. Emery will have tough competition all season as it faces dual matches against region teams while meeting many of the states top teams in several tournaments. The Spartans will also participate in a tournament in Grand Junction, Colo. (Continued on Page 7A) it |