Girls Basketball – Emmaus plays well and battles rival Parkland before falling late to the Trojans 41-39; Hornets still have hopes of reaching EPC playoffs

RECAP >> Needing a win to help its chances of reaching the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference playoffs, Emmaus had Parkland on the ropes yesterday afternoon on its home floor as the two rivals met for the second time this season, but it was the Trojans who were able to rally late and escape with a 41-39 victory.

The Hornets, who entered play with an 8-6 league mark and still very much alive in the hunt for one of the league’s eight playoffs spots, played well against a red-hot Parkland team winners of four straight and had led by three (31-28) entering the fourth quarter, but the Trojans outscored Emmaus 13-8 in the final eight minutes to sweep the season series.

Emmaus trailed by five points with 11.9 seconds to play late in the game and were able to get within a basket (41-39) on Taylor Griffith’s 3-pointer but the clock ran out on the comeback.

Senior Sarah Hoch led the Hornets in scoring with three 3-pointers and a team-high 11 points, while junior Paige Inman added 10 for Emmaus which dropped to 8-7 in the EPC and 12-9 overall. The Hornets are currently tied with three other teams – East Stroudsburg South, Whitehall and Pleasant Valley – with seven losses and the final playoff spot.

Parkland was led in scoring by sophomore Madie Siggins who had a game-high 12 points. Senior Zoe Wilkinson finished with 11, while sophomore Talia Zurinskas also added 11, including two key free throws in the waning seconds for the Trojans who improved to 9-5 and 12-7 overall.

Emmaus will close out the regular-season on Monday at 7 p.m. needing a win as they host Central Catholic (12-3 EPC/17-4). The Vikettes defeated the Hornets earlier this season 41-24. The game will be carried LIVE on www.easternpasportsnetwork.com beginning with the pregame show at 6:45 p.m.

For the most complete coverage of Emmaus girls basketball, follow @Emmaussports.com on Twitter and like Emmaus girls basketball on facebook.

Em – 13-9-9-8 – 39

Pa – 11-12-5-13 – 41

Em – Paige Inman 3 3-4 10, Kam Watkins 2 1-2 6, Grace Oglesbee 3 1-2 7, Sarah Hoch 4 0-0 11, Mya Cooper 0 0-0 0, Taylor Griffith 1 0-0 3, Alyssa Brader 0 2-2 2, Julia Adams 0 0-0 0. Totals: FG 13, FT 7-10, 3s (6 – Hoch 3, Inman, Watkins, Griffith)

Pa – Talia Zurinskas 3 2-3 11, Delaney Chilcote 1 0-0 3, Madie Siggins 5 2-2 12, Jesse Schmitt 1 0-0 2, Zoe Wilkinson 4 2-2 11, Alexis Brader 0 0-0 0, Paige Spang 0 0-0 0, Lauren Ervin 1 0-0 2. Totals: FG 15, FT 6-7, 3s (5 – Zurinskas 3, Chilcote, Wilkinson)

JV – Emmaus 45-44