RECAP >> After a nine-day layoff since its last game, Emmaus returned to action this afternoon making the long 1-hour, 30-minute bus ride north up the Pennsyvlania Turnpike to take on District 2 power and undefeated Abington Heights.
The long layoff following its 66-65 overtime win at Freedom on December 20 didn’t seem to have much of an effect early on as the Hornets jumped out to an early lead in the game and built as much as nine-point advantage in the second quarter (21-12).
And even despite being outscored in both the third and fourth quarters as the Comets were making their comeback, Emmaus was still right there at the end with an opportunity to win in the game in regulation.
But the Hornets couldn’t take advantage and the Comets forced overtime and in the extra session Abington Heights was able to convert key free throws down the stretch as they snapped Emmaus’ seven-game win streak with a thrilling and very entertaining 58-55 win before a near-capacity crowd for the Thursday matinee.
The defeat was just the second of the season for head coach Steve Yoder’s team who dropped 7-2 overall. Both of the lossses have been by a combined five points.
Senior Dylan Darville led Emmaus in scoring with a team-high 16 points with 10 of those coming in the second quarter. Classmate Jackson Lake came off the bench and provided a spark scoring a career-high 13 points, while junior Will Barber added 12.
Abington Heights (7-0) had three players reach double figures led by junior Ryan Nealon who scored a game-high 20 points. Classmates Will Marion and Mason Fedor added 15 and 10 points, respectively. Senior Roman Cutrufello came off the bench and added eight points.
Emmaus shot 42 percent from the floor (23-of-54) compared to Abington Heights 39 percent (19 of 49).
Yoder, who took responsibility for the loss in an interiew with The Eastern Pa. Sports Network following the game, was forced to coach the game from the bench late in the second quarter after receiving a technical foul, just his second in 15 years coaching at Emmaus.
“I told the boys after the game that this one is on me,” he said. “I don’t get that technical we win. I need to be better. I honestly don’t know why I got it.”
Added Yoder: “I think I got everything I wanted out of this game today. I wanted to schedule a really good non-league opponent and come up here to the Wyoming Valley Conference. They love their hoops up here and this was a great crowd and a great environment. Two good teams going at it and it stinks to come out on the short end of it for sure, but I’m pretty proud of the boys. I think they grew up a little bit today.”
The Hornets will return to action on Tuesday, January 3 at 7 p.m. as they return to EPC play traveling to Northampton.
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Abington Heights 58, Emmaus 55 OT
Em – Will Barber 4 4-6 12, Dylan Darville 7 0-0 16, Jametric Harris 2 2-2 6, Chase Muckey 2 0-1 4, Jake Fotta 1 0-0 2, Jackson Lake 6 1-2 13, Teague McCourt 0 0-0 0, Dom Nunez 1 0-0 2. Totals: FG 23, FT 7-10, 3s – 2 (Darville 2)
AH – Mason Fedor 3 4-4 10, Will Marion 7 0-3 15, Patrick Walsh 0 1-2 1, Ryan Nealon 5 6-6 20, Robby Lucas 1 2-2 4, Roman Cutrufello 3 0-0 8, Nico Bossi 0 0-0 0. Totals: FG 19, FT 13-17, 3s – 7 (Nealon 4, Cutrufello 2, Marion)
Em – 13-16-8-11-7 – 55
AB – 9-15-12-12-10 – 58
JV – AH 44-40