The Grand County High School boys basketball team suffered a pair of lopsided losses to remain winless on the season (0-15, 0-5 Region 15), falling 84-28 at Emery on Wednesday, Jan. 28 before returning home and losing 69-42 to South Sevier on Saturday, Jan. 31.
Ten Spartans scored against the Red Devils as Emery jumped out to a 14-7 lead after one quarter before scoring more than 20 points apiece in the final three quarters. Five Spartan players scored at least eight points.
The Red Devils were led in scoring by junior Brayden Ward, who had 10 points. Senior Jasen Christensen and junior Brendan Bennett each pitched in with seven points.
Grand connected on six of its eight free-throw attempts, while the Spartans made 11-of-16. The Spartans out-rebounded Grand 38-17 and made as many field goals (28) as the Red Devils attempted. Grand lost the turnover battle 17-3. The Red Devils managed 18 points in the first half before scoring only 10 in the second half.
Saturday’s home game versus South Sevier followed a similar script as the Red Devils scored 16 points in the first quarter before mustering only 26 the rest of the game. South Sevier scored 20-plus in each of the first three quarters before scoring only six in the fourth quarter with many of its backups and younger players on the floor.
Ward scored 12 points to lead the Red Devils, followed by Bennett with 11 and Christensen with 8. For the second consecutive game, 10 opposing players scored on the Red Devils, four of whom scored in double figures, led by Ram senior Trevor Jones, who scored 16 points and had seven assists.
Grand continued strong free-throw shooting, connecting on 8-of-9 from the line, compared to 4-of-7 by the Rams. The Rams, however, shot better than 50 percent from the field (29-of-56), while Grand shot 31 percent (11-of-35). The Red Devils were only out-rebounded 25-21, an improvement from the Emery game, but the Rams won the turnover battle 14-8.
The Red Devils have four games remaining as they search for their first win. They’re scheduled to play host to North Sevier on Friday, Feb. 6, before traveling to Blanding to play San Juan on Tuesday, Feb. 10, then traveling to Price for a non-region game versus Pinnacle Academy on Wednesday, Feb. 7. The Red Devils return home for their season finale, a home rematch with Emery on Tuesday, Feb. 17. Each game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
Red Devils still in search of first win with four games remaining
Â
What: Red Devil boys basketball versus North Sevier
When: Friday, Feb. 6, 7 p.m.
Where: Grand County High School, 608 S. 400 East
Â
