It was a strong ending to the regular season for the Emporia High basketball teams at Washburn Rural.
The Spartans needed an extra four minutes to defeat the Junior Blues, 75-69, Washburn Rural led 3-0 before Emporia High took control leading 16-11 after one and 31-26 at halftime. The Spartans led 47-42 heading to the fourth before the Junior Blues forced overtime tying the game at 55. Once the extra session started, the Spartans took the lead for good. River Peters led Emporia High with a career-high 34 points while Sheldon Stewart added a career-high 28. Emporia High coach Lee Baldwin said the Spartans came out shooting after their great performance from Thursday at Paola.
The Spartans finish the regular season at 13-7 and 6-4 in the Centennial League.
For the first time in over three decades, the Lady Spartans swept the Lady Junior Blues with a 39-31 victory. Emporia High led throughout and led 12-5 after one and 23-12 at halftime. Washburn Rural cut the deficit to five, 30-25, heading to fourth and trimmed it to one before Addie Kirmer hit a 3-pointer that gave Emporia High a four-point advantage in the fourth quarter. The Junior Blues pulled within three late but would make 5-of-6 from the free-throw line down the stretch. Kirmer led Emporia High with 17. Emporia High coach Carolyn Dorsey said her team made plays at the right time.
The Lady Spartans winners of 17 in a row are now 19-1 on the season and finished the league schedule with a perfect 10-0 record. Friday’s win was also Dorsey’s 150th career win.
The Spartans are nine seed and will play at Andover Central on Tuesday at 7 p.m. The Lady Spartans are the No. 3 seed and will play Topeka West on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Tuesday’s game will be on Mix 104.9 and Wednesday’s game will be on KVOE.
