hayden

The Emporia boys basketball team captured a 61–56 home win over Hayden on Wednesday. Rylan Crowell led the Spartans in scoring, finishing with 20 points. Madden Seidl added 13 points for the Spartans. 

Emporia took an early 6–2 lead following a triple from Crowell, but Hayden quickly regained the lead following baskets from Mason Becker and Jacob Deister. The Spartans closed the quarter on a run, courtesy of a layup from Crowell and a triple from Seidl, helping Emporia build a 17–14 lead after the first quarter. “We did a good job of breaking their press and finishing around the basket,” said Emporia coach Lee Baldwin. “We also passed it really well and shared the ball.”

An early second quarter 3-pointer from Crowell and a layup from Kobe Franklin extended the Emporia lead. Hayden struggled to corral rebounds in the quarter, leading to multiple second-chance baskets from the Spartans. Emporia’s defense held Hayden to six points in the quarter, helping them build a 29–20 halftime lead. “I thought we ratcheted up the pressure,” said Baldwin. “We got into their airspace, made them dribble a little bit more and kept them on one side of the floor.

Hayden opened the third quarter with a 5–0 run, and continued to cut into the deficit until the Spartans responded late in the period. Crowell made a layup and converted another driving layup while getting fouled to help cut into Hayden’s momentum. Crowell made the ensuing free throw, and the Spartans would go into the fourth period with a 46-37 lead.

Three minutes into the fourth quarter, following a converted and-1 opportunity by Becker, Emporia’s Nolan Jacob made a corner 3-pointer to give Emporia a 51–41 lead. Later in the quarter, consecutive Emporia turnovers led to Hayden layups, helping them trim the lead to 51–46. Emporia’s Jash Rios played a key part in stopping the Hayden run, notching a steal that led to a layup and making two free throws later in the quarter to add to Emporia’s cushion. 

Layups from Harrison Trelc and Chase Harrington helped the Spartans extend the lead back to double digits with 1:30 remaining. Triples from Becker and Deister helped trim the deficit to five, but time expired on Hayden’s comeback attempt. “We turned the ball over three-straight possessions in the fourth,” said Baldwin. “Jash got a big steal and layup, and that calmed us down. We took a deep breath and we ended up finishing the game out.

“If we’re going to have the season we’re capable of, we have to be able to win close games. Team’s are going to press us, and hopefully that gives us some confidence for the next time we play them.”

Emporia JV 53

Hayden JV 49

JV Record: 4-3