The Emporia High Lady Spartans basketball team kicked off their season with a 41-33 come from behind win over the Hayden Lady Wildcats Friday night.
Both teams struggled offensively in the first quarter and would enter the second quarter tied 7-7. Hayden would overtake the lead outscoring the Lady Spartans 11-9 in the second to carry an 18-16 lead into the half.
The Lady Spartans would come within one point of taking the lead in third before outscoring Hayden 14-3 in the fourth to clinch the win. Lady Spartans Head Coach Carolyn Dorsey says her team picked up the intensity as the game progressed.
Emporia was led in scoring by sophomore Gracie Gilpin with 11 points. Hayden was led by senior Sophia Purcell with 11 points.
The Spartan boys began their season on a high note with a 56-41 win over the Wildcats.
Despite Hayden jumping out to an early lead in the first the Spartans would overtake the momentum and outscore Hayden 27-24 going into the half. In the second half, Hayden would come as close as one to tying the game, but a 17-10 run in the fourth quarter would seal the win for the Spartans.
Emporia was led in scoring by Senior Skyler Douglas with 16 points, junior Hunter Hines with 13 points.
Head Coach Beau Welch says there were some struggles throughout the game but he was impressed with the energy his team came out with.
Senior John Roeder led the Wildcats offensively with 11 points. The Spartans and Lady Spartans now begin the season 1-0 as Hayden falls to 0-1.
The Spartans will return to action Monday as they travel to Wichita Independent.
Area Scores:
Olpe 64 St. Marys 43 – girls.
St. Marys 74 Olpe 65 – boys
Hartford 55 Altoona Midway 15 – girls
Hartford 58 Altoona Midway 40 – boys
Lebo 56 Flinthills 35 – girls
Lebo 74 Flinthills 25 – boys
Lyndon 45 Marais des Cygnes Valley 7 – girls
Lyndon 61 Marais des Cygnes Valley 34 – boys
Waverly 51 Cornerstone 40 – girls
Cornerstone 47 Waverly 44 – boys
Burlingame 44 Cair Paravel 25 -girls
Burlingame 44 Cair Paravel 43 – boys
Pleasanton 40 Madison 31 – girls
Madison 59 Pleasanton 50 – boys
Northern Heights 61 West Franklin 48 – girls
Lanny Massey earns 200th career win.
Northern Heights 77 West Franklin 45 – boys
Osage City 55 Mission Valley 51 – girls
Mission Valley 69 Osage City 64 – boys
Council Grove 46 Central Heights 23 – girls
Council Grove 55 Central Heights 49 OT – boys
