The Emporia High boys basketball team made quick work in the third-place game of the Bluestem Classic against Manhattan CHIEF Saturday afternoon in El Dorado.
Emporia High locked down on defense and produced its second largest scoring output this season with a 57-28 victory over the Thunder. The 28 points is the lowest amount of points a Spartan opponent has scored this season.
After the Thunder led 7-6 early in the first quarter, the Spartans took over and never looked back. Emporia High led 24-11 at the end of the first quarter and turned it into a 38-16 lead at halftime. Emporia High led by as many as 34 in the second half with the fourth quarter having a running clock.
For the second consecutive game, the Spartans had three players score in double-figures. Cooper Rech led the way with 14 points along with eight rebounds. River Peters added 12 and extended his double-digit scoring streak to nine games. Sheldon Stewart added 10.
Emporia High coach Lee Baldwin said the Spartans bounced back in a big way after a film session Saturday morning paid off.
Emporia High had two make the Bluestem Classic All-Tournament team. Stewart and Rech made the team. Rech averaged 14 points in the tournament while Stewart averaged 13 points. Nolan Jacob made the All-Hustle team.
Emporia High improved to 7-3 on the season. The Spartans will play their first home game of 2024 at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday against Manhattan.
