The Emporia High boys basketball team looked to knock off its second-ranked opponent in as many days on Friday in the semifinals of the Bluestem Classic against Kapaun Mt. Carmel
However, the second-ranked team in Class 5A denied the Spartans of an upset bid defeating them 57-41. The Crusaders led from wire-to-wire leading 17-10 at the end of the first quarter. Kapaun led by as many as 13 points in the second quarter before the Spartans went on an 8-0 run to cut the deficit to five at 25-20. After that, Kapaun pushed the lead back to double digits before settling for a 33-26 lead at halftime. Kapaun led 45-33 at the of three and eventually led by as many as 18 in the contest.
Three Spartans scored in double figures, led by River Peters who had 12 points after missing Thursday’s game against Wichita Collegiate due to an injury. Sheldon Stewart and Cooper Rech each had 11.
Emporia High coach Lee Baldwin said the Spartans weren’t strong defensively against the Crusaders.
Emporia High is now 6-3 on the season. The Spartans will play Manhattan CHIEF, a home school team, at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in El Dorado. Manhattan CHIEF was defeated by Goddard 77-60 in its semifinal. The Thunder are 9-3 on the season and are 4-1 against KSHSAA schools.
Emporia High Athletics announced Friday makeup dates for the Junction City games at Junction City that were postponed from January 12. The boys game at Junction City will be made up on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. The girls game at Junction City will be made up Febuary 3rd at 3 p.m.
