Patrick
The Paul Terry Classic plaque will stay in Emporia once again. The Emporia High Spartans captured their fourth consecutive tournament championship, finishing strong with a 57–51 victory over Hayden.
It was another disciplined, well-rounded performance that showcased the Spartans’ depth, resilience, and ability to execute under pressure.
Slow Start, Strong Finish: How the Game Unfolded
A Tense First Quarter
Both teams opened the game appearing slightly fatigued, struggling to establish consistent offensive rhythms. But junior standout Terrick Franklin set the tone early, scoring six of Emporia’s first eight points. His confidence sparked the Spartans’ momentum as the quarter progressed.
Dominant Second Quarter
As both squads regained their legs, Emporia surged first—scoring the opening five points of the second quarter. After a Hayden technical foul shifted momentum even further, the Spartans built a commanding 25–11 lead, ultimately entering halftime ahead 30–15.
Hayden’s Comeback Efforts Fall Short
Second-Half Adjustments
After the break, Emporia exploited a key mismatch, allowing Franklin to continue piling up points. He added ten more in the third quarter but Hayden showed signs of life, outscoring the Spartans 17–14 to tighten the gap.
Final-Quarter Pressure
Hayden pushed even harder in the fourth quarter, winning the period 19–13 and bringing the score within striking distance. But Emporia maintained composure, closed out possessions, and held on for the 57–51 win.
Player Highlights and Coaching Insight
Franklin Leads the Charge
Franklin delivered a career-best 27-point performance, dominating inside and out. Senior Chase Harrington added 11 points, and junior Harrison Trelc contributed a strong 10-point outing—another demonstration of the Spartans’ balanced scoring.
Coach Burns on Execution and Game Plan
Head Coach Evan Burns praised the team’s discipline:
“I thought we executed the game plan well. We wanted to attack Connor Hanika early and get him in foul trouble. We kept the ball out of Carter Compton’s hands as much as possible because he can get hot at any moment.”
Burns acknowledged that while the Spartans built a 17-point lead, they still need to improve on closing games more cleanly.
Neutralizing Hayden’s Stars
Emporia succeeded in containing Hayden’s top weapons.
- Hanika entered foul trouble early and eventually fouled out.
- Compton was largely limited until the fourth quarter, where he tallied nine of his 17 points.
Outmatching Hayden in the Paint
Burns emphasized that Emporia’s dominance inside was a major difference-maker:
“We got 38 points from Franklin and Harrington. When your post players score like that, you’re going to foul out their interior defenders and open up the perimeter.”
Hayden’s commitment to a zone defense gave Emporia frequent opportunities to feed their bigs inside, something the Spartans capitalized on repeatedly.
Fatigue, Focus, and What Comes Next
Coming off a taxing game against Basehor-Linwood, Emporia needed to push through fatigue to survive Hayden’s late surge. Burns underscored how important this win was for a tired squad.
With a short break ahead, the Spartans will prepare for their next challenge—Great Bend.
“We’ll let them rest and celebrate tonight. Tomorrow is an off day, then we’re back Monday to prepare for Great Bend,” Burns said. “Ian Premer is a dominant athlete—one of the best tight ends in the nation and committed to Notre Dame. He’s going to be tough on the boards.”
Emporia enters the matchup at 5–0, determined to remain unbeaten as they take on one of Kansas’s elite talents.
The Spartans’ fourth straight Paul Terry Classic triumph showcased their toughness, strategic discipline, and ability to perform in critical moments.
Led by a career night from Terrick Franklin and strong execution from the supporting cast, Emporia High demonstrated why they remain one of Kansas’s most dangerous teams.
As they prepare for a tough matchup against Great Bend, the Spartans continue to show they have the chemistry and competitive edge needed for a special season.