The Grand County High School girls basketball team lost its final two regular season games, falling 106-34 at Emery on Tuesday, Feb. 5, before losing to San Juan 73-48 on senior night Friday, Feb. 8.
The Emery Lady Spartans had four players score at least 18 points on their way to tripling up on Grand County High School (GCHS), who was led by seniors Veda Gritts with 13 points and nine rebounds, and Hannah Owen with eight points and five rebounds. The Spartans finished the regular season with a perfect 21-0 record, including a 12-0 mark in Region 15.
“They’re a tremendous team,” GCHS girls basketball coach Randy Martin said of Emery. “They’re very well-coached and they’ve played together for a number of years and it shows. I fully expect them to win a second straight state championship. In fact, when these girls were all sophomores, they were one shot away from winning a state title.”
The GCHS Lady Red Devils faced much more manageable matchup against San Juan on Friday, Feb. 8, but fell victim to a 27-point outburst from point-guard Tasiah Little, who Martin said entered the game averaging about six points a contest.
“We had a game plan for San Juan,” he said. “The girls were prepared and they executed the plan. What we didn’t plan on was their point guard going off for 27 points. She shined for them, it was her night.”
Gritts had 25 points and Owen had nine in the loss for GCHS.
“Veda’s incredibly talented,” Martin said. “We know she can do that on just about any night.”
The Lady Red Devils finished the regular season with a 7-14 record, including a 2-10 mark in Region 15 play, which earned them the No. 6 seed from the region in the playoffs and a date with Region 14 No. 1 Carbon on Friday, Feb. 15, at 11:50 a.m., at Orem High School. The Lady Dinos are 19-2, but both of their losses were to Colorado teams in a tournament in early December. The Lady Dinos beat GCHS 66-23 in the Carbon Challenge tournament in Price on Nov. 30.
Martin said the Lady Dinos will be tough to beat, but the team is upbeat heading into the game.
“We played Carbon early on when we were missing both Veda and Hannah,” Martin said. “We know we’re a totally different team with those two on the floor. Our hope is to give them a good game.”
Red Devils face tall task against Carbon to begin playoffs
“The girls were prepared and they executed the plan.”
Region 15 Final Regular Season Standings
Emery 21-0, 12-0
South Sevier 17-5, 9-3
Richfield 13-8, 9-3
San Juan 11-10, 6-6
North Sanpete 4-17, 3-9
GCHS 7-14, 2-10
Manti 5-17, 1-11
