BILLINGS — Journey Emerson, previously a standout basketball player at Class B Lame Deer and the state’s all-time leader in points scored in a single game, passed away on Friday afternoon in a car accident.
His former high school coach, Tiger Scalpcane, verified Emerson’s passing to MTN Sports on Saturday. Scalpcane mentioned that Emerson, 21, lost his life in a head-on collision east of Lame Deer on Highway 212.
Scalpcane posted on Facebook that Emerson’s daughter Kais also suffered injuries in the accident and was airlifted to Salt Lake City for medical care.
Emerson had been residing with the Scalpcane family for a number of years, and Scalpcane mentioned that he and Emerson had exchanged texts earlier in the day.
“I left the house around 11 o’clock. I think it was about 12:30 when he texted me,” Scalpcane recalled. “He asked if I was coming back home and I replied no. He then said he was leaving and asked if he should lock up, to which I said yes. That was the last communication I had with him.”
Scalpcane shared that he and his family had planned to have a birthday barbecue for Emerson on Sunday, as he had turned 21 the week before.
“It’s a tragic incident,” Scalpcane expressed. “I just can’t stop weeping. I had just spoken to him. He was here in the morning and then an hour later he’s gone.”
Emerson gained statewide attention in Feb. of 2022 when he set the state’s single-game scoring record with 82 points against Forsyth.
During a week of record-breaking performances, Emerson’s achievement came just five days after Lodge Grass’ Damon Gros Ventre established the record with 71 points in a game at Huntley Project.
WATCH: Lame Deer’s Journey Emerson breaks state scoring record with 82 points
Scalpcane mentioned that Emerson was best friends with Scalpcane’s son Keeshawn, who passed away by suicide in 2019, ever since kindergarten. Emerson moved in with Scalpcane’s family in eighth grade, and the bond between Emerson and Keeshawn Scalpcane was unbreakable.
Scalpcane stated that Emerson’s presence did not replace that of Keeshawn Scalpcane, but it did help fill a void. Emerson’s absence will now be deeply felt in Lame Deer and on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation.
“It’s shaken the entire community,” Scalpcane expressed. “I know it’s affected the whole basketball community. It’s just devastating because he was beloved here. He was kind-hearted and trouble-free. He was humble.”
“His legacy goes beyond basketball,” Scalpcane added. “He enjoyed horseback riding, herding cattle. His family is large enough to form a co-ed softball team. The only silver lining I can see out of this is that he’s reunited with his best friend and brother Keeshawn.
“I treated him like my own. I loved him like my own.”
A GoFundMe page has been set up to support the Emersons and Scalpcanes with unforeseen funeral costs. To access the page, click here.
