Boys Basketball – Yoder and Hornets relishing underdog role as they begin District XI playoff run Saturday vs Nazareth. PREVIEW:

Who:  No.5 seed Emmaus (16-7) vs No.4 seed Nazareth (19-5)

When/Where: Saturday 1 p.m./Easton MS

Coverage: LIVE www.easternpasportsnetwork.com, 12:40 p.m. pregame

What’s on the line:  A berth in the District XI semifinals vs winner of No.1 Parkland/No.8 Freedom 

Coaches: Emmaus – Steve Yoder (14th season, 198-144); Nazareth – Joe Arndt (18th season)

Head-to-Head: Teams didn’t meet

Probable starters: Emmaus – Soph. Will Barber (10.7 ppg), Jr. Dylan Darville (10), Sr. Jadis Brevitt (9.2), Sr. Jaden Gallagher (2.8), Sr. Ryan Santos (4.3). Reserves: Sr. Ryan Diehl (2 ), Jr. Wilson Charlot (2.3, Soph.), Jametric Harris (2.3), Jr. Chase Muckey (1.6), Sr. Ben Kieres (1.3)

Nazareth – Sr. Joe Adames (10.1), Soph. Mason Kuehner (5.9), Sr. Chase Skrapits (7.4), Sr. CJ Santos (13.4), Sr. Ryan Kresge (11.8). Reserves: Sr. Jonathan Alexander (8.7), Jayden Alexander

GAME NOTES –  Emmaus is playing its first game since falling to CCHS 38-24 in the EPC Tournament two weeks ago, meanwhile Nazareth last played on Feb. 17 in the EPC Championship game, a 56-46 loss to Parkland …The Hornets struggled late in the season dropping three of its last four games and five of eight. Nazareth had won 10 straight before falling in the league finals … Emmaus is competing in districts for the 11th time in the last 12 years. The Hornets have won their opening-round game nine years in a row. Their last appearance in the finals was in 2013-14 (lost to Parkland 60-33) …The only District XI title in program history was in 1986 …Allen is the defending District XI 6A champion

District XI 6A Quarterfinals (Saturday)

#1 Parkland vs #8 Freedom. 4 pm @ Easton

#2 PM West vs #7 Liberty, 2:30 pm @ Pleasant Valley

#3 Northampton vs #6 Allen, 2:30 pm @ Easton

#4 Nazareth vs #5 Emmaus, 1 pm @ Easton

Semifinals – March 2

Finals March 5 (3 teams qualify for PIAA State Tournament)