Lady Spartans fall to Trojans in quarterfinals at State Championships

Emery's hopes for a state title end with loss to Morgan in the quarterfinals

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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The No. 3 seed Emery Lady Spartans were upset by the No. 6 seed Morgan Trojans 62-55 in the quarterfinals of the state basketball championships. Emery led at one point in the third quarter but couldn't hold on as Morgan pulled away in the fourth quarter. The loss ends Emery's hopes of winning a state title this season.

Why it matters

The Lady Spartans were one of the top teams in the state and were expected to make a deep run in the tournament. Their early exit is a surprise, especially with the top three seeds all losing in the quarterfinals. This opens up the tournament for other teams to potentially win the state title.

The details

Emery and Morgan have a long postseason history, with Emery beating Morgan in last year's tournament. This year, Morgan jumped out to an early lead but Emery battled back to take a 34-32 lead in the third quarter. However, Morgan regained control in the fourth quarter and pulled away for the 62-55 victory. Zoe Rockenfield led Morgan with 23 points, while Aleeyah Cowley scored 16 for Emery.

  • The game was played on Wednesday, February 19, 2026 at Southern Utah University in Cedar City.
  • Emery and Morgan have faced each other in the postseason before, with Emery winning last year's matchup.

The players

Emery Lady Spartans

The No. 3 seed in the state basketball tournament, the Emery Lady Spartans were expected to make a deep run but were upset in the quarterfinals.

Morgan Trojans

The No. 6 seed Morgan Trojans pulled off the upset over Emery to advance to the semifinals of the state tournament.

Zoe Rockenfield

The leading scorer for Morgan with 23 points in the quarterfinal win over Emery.

Aleeyah Cowley

Scored 16 points for Emery in the losing effort against Morgan.

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What’s next

Emery will now face the No. 2 seed North Sanpete Hawks in the consolation bracket on Friday morning. Emery lost to North Sanpete twice during the regular season, so they will be looking to avenge those losses and keep their season alive.

The takeaway

The early exit of the top three seeds, including Emery, has opened up the state tournament and created an opportunity for a surprise champion to emerge. Emery's loss is a disappointment, but it sets up an intriguing matchup with North Sanpete as both teams look to stay alive in the consolation bracket.