The Dean Smith trophy is staying in Emporia for another year as the Emporia High School boys basketball team fought back from nine down to top Topeka High, 56-47 in Topeka on Friday night.

The Spartans trailed 36-34 entering the fourth quarter and Topeka High scored the first five points to make it a seven-point game. The teams then traded buckets before Sheldon Stewart converted the and one to cut the deficit to three.

The Trojans got two back before Emporia scored five straight to tie the game at 45-45, thanks to four points from River Peters and a free throw from Nolan Jacob. Topeka High scored one final basket before the Spartans closed the game with an 11-0 run to secure the win.

Head coach Lee Baldwin feels fortunate his team was able to get out of there with a win. “It was a game we definitely didn’t deserve to win,” Baldwin said. “We picked up the intensity in the fourth quarter for sure, and made just enough stops to get out of there win a win. That was one we desperately needed and we were very fortunate to get it.”

Emporia led 11-7 after the first quarter, thanks to nine points from Peters. Topeka High then went on a 12-1 run in the second quarter to take a 21-14 lead into the half. Topeka High led by as many as nine points in the third quarter, but Emporia was able to battle back, tying the game at 34-34 and 36-36 before Topeka High scored the quarter’s final points.

Peters set a new career-high with 28 points. He was joined in double-figures by Jacob and Stewart, who added 12 points each.

Baldwin was pleased with the performance of all three, but especially Peters. “Sheldon and Nolan made some big plays, but I thought River carried us,” Baldwin said. “He was absolutely phenomenal tonight and that was the best offensive game I’ve ever seen him have and we would have had no chance of winning without the performance he had.”

Emporia (11-5) will head to Manhattan on Tuesday, Feb. 13. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Emporia JV 55

Topeka High JV 33

JV Record: 8-4

Emporia C 50

Topeka High C 34 

C Record: 5-7