The Emporia High School boys basketball team picked up a big win against one of the top teams in Class 4A on Friday night. Without two starters and just two returning players with varsity experience, the Spartans downed the Cyclones 50-39 at Emporia High School in a key opening night win.
“We played five guys tonight that have never stepped foot on a varsity floor,” head coach Lee Baldwin said. “We have two starters out and we only suited up eight guys tonight. So, I couldn’t be prouder of our guys for them to win the game in that way. I hope they enjoy this one and their confidence continues to soar.”
It was a tail of two games offensively for both teams. Emporia led 10-8 after the first quarter, 22-14 at the half and 28-22 after three. Then both teams found another gear offensively as they combined for 39 points over the final eight minutes.
Baldwin credited the change to extending the floor and making the Ottawa defense come and guard them. “We got some touches in the paint and they started fouling us and we hit some free throws,” Baldwin said. “But we made them come guard us. We extended the floor out, made them come guard us and we had opportunities to make a decision for an easy bucket.”
River Peters led Emporia with 23 points and Sheldon Stewart joined him in double figures with 14. Baldwin was impressed that Peters had the night he had without any 3-pointers. “He’s our best offensive player by a mile,” Baldwin said. “He did a great job of attacking the basket and what I think is really impressive is he didn’t knock down a three, and that indicates to me that he knows he doesn’t have to rely on the 3-ball to be a prolific scorer for us.”
Emporia (1-0) will host the Paul Terry Classic at White Auditorium next week starting Thursday, Dec. 7 against Spring Hill.
Emporia JV 54
Ottawa JV 43
JV Record: 1-0
Emporia C 54
Ottawa C 31
C Record: 1-0