This post-season victory didn’t require overtime, but Emmaus was still able to get the job done and keep their season alive.
A year ago, when the Hornets and Pocono Mountain West met in the opening-round of the EPC Tournament, head coach Kelsey Gallagher’s team was able to pull off the upset as the No.7 seed as they went on the road and stunned the second-seeded Panthers 59-54.
Nearly a year later, the two teams were once again matched up, but this time, it was a win-or-go-home scenario in Friday’s District XI 6A quarterfinal round game at Pleasant Valley High School in Broadheadsville.
Different year, same result.
After trailing by four (34-30) heading into the final quarter, Emmaus was able to rally and outscore PM West 15-9 the rest of the way and then held on at the end for yet another thrilling victory over the Panthers, 45-43.
Junior Cassie Doemling continued her outstanding play in the post-season as she reached double figures for the third straight game finishing with a team-high 14 points for the Hornets, who have won 11 of their last 13 games. Freshman Kayla Snyder also reached double digits with a 12-point effort.
The win was the first in the district playoffs since the 2020-21 season for the Hornets, who had been eliminated by Nazareth in the opening round in each of the past three seasons.
More importantly, this victory advances Emmaus (16-10) to the next round where they will face a familiar foe in Tuesday’s semifinal round at 7:30 p.m. at Allen High School taking on arch-rival Parkland, the top seed, who rolled to a 54-28 victory over eighth-seeded Stroudsburg.
This will be the third meeting between the two schools with the Trojans winning the previous three matchups, including a 55-35 victory in the EPC championship game.
The other semifinal at 6 p.m. will feature defending champ Easton, the No. 2 seed taking on sixth-seeded Liberty. The championship game is set for Friday, March 1.
Emmaus is now guaranteed at least two more games – win or lose – as three from the district will qualify for the PIAA State Tournament.
In the win over the Panthers, Emmaus led 13-12 after one quarter but the two teams were tied at the half at 23-all after PM West outscored the Hornets 11-10 in the second quarter.
PM West, which ended its season at 15-9, was led in scoring by senior Anai’sah Malone who had a game-high 20 points. Seniors Alyssa Ford and Sehaila Jones each added eight.
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Emmaus 45, PM West 43
Em – Mya Cooper 2 3-4 7, Kayla Snyder 3 5-6 12, Taylor Griffith 1 1-2 4, Sofie Laird 2 0-0 4, Cassie Doemling 6 2-8 14, Gabby DeVita 1 0-0 2, Olive Whitney 0 2-2 2, Sylvia Sokolofksi 0. Totals: FG 15, FT 13-22, 3s (2) – Snyder, Griffith
PMW – Alyssa Ford 3 2-2 8, Mia Bowden 2 0-0 4, Anai’sah Malone 8 2-4 20, Sehaila Jones 1 5-6 8, Brianna Steidl 1 0-0 3, Jziyah Simmons 0, Ashley Hunter-Ali 0, Emma Campusano 0. Totals: FG 15, FT 9-12, 3s (4) – Malone 2, Jones, Steidl
Em – 13-10-7-15 – 45
PMW – 12-11-11-9 – 43