RECAP >> After getting off to one of the best starts in school history winning its first 10 games, there may have been those doubters around the Lehigh Valley wondering how good Steve Yoder’s basketball team actually was.
Sure early-season wins over quality programs like Abington Heights, Allen and East Stroudsburg South team looked good on the resume for Emmaus.
But the question remained: Could the Hornets go toe-to-toe with the top teams in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference?
Earlier this week, on the road against unbeaten Pocono Mountain West, the Hornets did prove they could as they battled the unbeaten Panthers and VCU commit Christian Fermin before eventually falling late.
But the effort, a good one according to Emmaus’ 14th year head coach, still didn’t get the result his team wanted as they dropped their second straight game in five days.
After last night’s battle against rival Parkland, there are no more questions if this team can compete or win against the upper echelon in the league.
Just ask the Trojans, one of the pre-season favorites.
Looking to snap a streak of four consecutive losses to Parkland dating back to the 2018-19 season, the Hornets put together an incredible second half effort as they stunned the Trojans on their home floor by rallying for a 52-44 win before a frenzied crowd Thursday night at Parkland High School.
Emmaus used an incredible 21-0 run in the second half after trailing by 10 points midway through the third quarter to pull away from the Trojans handing them their first loss of the season at home.
The Hornets used a balance scoring attack with three players reaching double figures as they improved to 6-2 in the EPC and 11-2 overall, already clinching a berth in the District XI Tournament.
Sophomore Will Barber led all scorers with a game-high 17 points, including 11 in the first half. Junior Dylan Darville, who had left the game with an injury with 2:40 left in the third quarter but later returned, scored 11 of his 15 points in the second half, while senior Jadis Brevitt also provided a spark after halftime adding 10 of his 13 points.
Parkland, which was held to season-low 44 points in the loss, was led in scoring by seniors Nick Coval and Will Meeker who each had 12 points. The Trojans dropped to 7-5 overall and 6-2 in the league.
The Hornets will look to keep the momentum going as they close out the week Saturday morning hosting Pleasant Valley. Note the new start time for the game 10 a.m.
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Emmaus 52, Parkland 44
Em – 7-11-20-14 – 52
Pa – 9-15-7-13 – 44
Em – Will Barber 6 5-5 17, Dylan Darville 5 5-5 15, Jaden Gallagher 1 0-0 2, Jadis Brevitt 5 1-2 13, Brydon Crawford 0 1-2 1, Ryan Santos 1 2-2 4, Ryan Diehl 0 0-0 0, Jametric Harris 0 0-0 0, Chase Muckey 0 0-0 0, Wilson Charlot 0 0-0 0. Totals: FG 18, FT 14-16, 3s (2 – Brevitt)
Pa – Nick Coval 3 4-4 12, Matt Ray 3 0-0 7, Will Meeker 4 3-6 12, Matt Rantz 3 0-0 6, Matt Bauer 3 0-0 7, Jesse Ruisch 0 0-0 0, Kharan Joshi 0 0-1, Dahlir Adams 0 0-0 0. Totals: FG 16, FT 7-11, 3s (5 – Coval 2, Ray, Meeker, Bauer)
JV – Park 56-42