Matchup: No.3 seed Emmaus (19-5 overall) vs No.1 seed Parkland (19-5)
When/Where: Thursday 8 p.m./PPL Center, Allentown
What’s on the line: The Eastern Pennsylvania Conference championship
Coverage: LIVE on The Eastern Pa. Sports Network (Pregame coverage @ 7:40 p.m.); LINK: https://easternpasportsnet1.mixlr.com/events/3168148
How they got here: Emmaus defeated Whitehall 58-55 and PM West 61-47; Parkland defeated Nazareth 38-35 and Liberty 52-33.
Coaches: Emmaus – Steve Yoder (16th season, 236-158), Parkland – Eddie Ohlsen Jr. (1st season, 19-5)
Head to Head: Parkland 2-0 (51-42 & 73-45)
Probable starters – Emmaus: Sr. Teague McCourt (6.1 ppg), Jr. Jack Csensits (4.9), Sr. Jametric Harris (14.1, 2nd Team EPC), Sr. Will Barber (19.5, 1st Team EPC), Sr. Jack Curley-Katrishen (4.6). Others: Jr. Rafael Terrero (3.7), Jr. Owen Hafner (2.4), Jr. Mike Rooney (2.5)
Parkland – Sr. Nick Coval (22.2, EPC MVP), Sr. Jayden Thomas (10.5), Zaire Smaltz (9.6, 3rd Team EPC), Sr. Robbie Ruisch (5.7), Sr. Luke Spang (3.0). Others: Fr. Blake Nassry (2.6), Michael Toth (1), Connor Johns (1)
GAME NOTES – Emmaus is appearing in the league championship game for the first time since 2018-19 season when they lost to Bethlehem Catholic. The Hornets last title came back in 2012 when they defeated Freedom 47-44 at Allen HS …It was the first title for the program since 2007 … Emmaus has won 10 its last 12 games …Sr. Will Barber has 468 points on the season and 1,231 for his career (6th all time at EHS) … Parkland has won two straight after a pair of back-to-back losses to end the season vs. CCHS (71-52) and Executive Education (44-42) … Sr. Nick Coval has 533 points on the season and is just 24 points shy of 2,000 for his career.
PAST EPC Champs:
Last year – CCHS
2021-22 – Parkland
2020-21 – No Tournament (Covid)
2019-20 – Allen
2018-19 – Becahi
2017-18 – Becahi
2016-17 – Allen
2015-16 – Parkland
2014-15 – Parkland