Rockne Hall in Allentown use to be a building where the Emmaus boys basketball team has had a lot of success in winning games.
Not so much anymore.
On Monday night, the Hornets woes continued inside the legendary building as they dropped their Eastern Pennsylvania Conference opener to Central Catholic 62-44.
The Vikes led from start to finish as they outscored Emmaus in three of the four quarters in picking up their first win of the season (1-1), while keeping the Hornets winless on the season (0-3).
Central Catholic also continued its dominance in the series winning for the eighth time in the last 10 and 13th in the last 15 meetings between the two schools. Emmaus’ last win at Rockne came back in the 2018-19 season, marking a string of seven straight losses.
Junior Yariel Gonzalez led all scorers with a game-high 20 points for the Vikings, but managed only one field goal and three points after halftime. Senior Jared Ford also had a big night for the Vikes adding 18 points, including four 3-pointers in the second half.
For Emmaus, junior Matt Rooney led the way with a team-high 13 points, while classmate Lucas Stephan reached double figures for the third straight game finishing with 10 points. The Hornets struggled all night from the floor, including just 13 percent (3-for-23) from beyond the arc.
Up next for Emmaus will be another road trip as they head to Nazareth for a 7 p.m. tip on Thursday before returning for the home opener on Friday hosting Freedom.
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CCHS 62, Emmaus 44
Em – Matt Rooney 2 7-8 13, Noeah Newsome 0, Jacob Ross 1 3-4 5, Othello Karto 0, Cole Stuchko 0. Subs: Lucas Stephan 2 6-6 10, Tim Toles 1 0-0 2, Nathan Bottjer 0, Ben Grochowski 1 0-0 2, Jayden Swan 0 1-2 1, Robert Edwards 0, Mason Weber 0, Mitchell Pisarcik 1 0-0 3, Ryder Fiore 1 3-4 6, Ted Laird 0, Ty Laird 1 1-1 3. Totals: FG 10, FT 20-25, 3s (4 – Rooney 2, Pisarcik, Fiore)
CC – Jameson Baxter 0 0-2 0, Di’Quiawn Leak 3 0-0 7, Jared Ford 7 0-0 18, Yariel Gonzalez 8 4-5 20, Cam Hines 3 1-4 7. Subs: Grayson Schmell 0 0-2 0, Justin Villegas 0, Lucas Hosak 0, Sean Daubert 0, Tahir Edmondson 1 0-0 2. Totals: FG 25, FT 6-15, 3s (6 – Ford 4, Leak, Diaz)
Em – 7-8-9-20 – 44
CC – 16-10-19-17 – 62
JV score – Emmaus 57-50 (Kellen Hafner 17 pts)
Game replay: https://easternpasportsnet1.mixlr.com/recordings/2967078