The 2006-07 Emmaus girls basketball team will no doubt go down as one of the best, if not the best in the program’s history.
A District XI runner-up finish. A state semifinal qualifier. A 28-win season, the most of any in school history.
It was a year like none other.
This 2023-24 version hasn’t been too bad, either.
And now it will continue for at least one more week.
In a season that’s already been filled with a number of ‘firsts’ and magical moments, head coach Kelsey Gallagher’s team added one more, punching their ticket to the PIAA State Tournament for the first time in 17 years with a low-scoring 38-32 win over Liberty Friday night in the District XI 6A third place game at Easton Middle School.
The dynamic backcout duo of sophomore Gabby Devita (14 points) and freshman Kayla Snyder (12) led the way as the two combined for 26 points to lead Emmaus, which beat the Hurricane for the second time in this post-season.
With the victory, the Hornets, who also beat Liberty in the EPC semifinals 59-56, improve to 17-11 on the season. The 17 wins marks the most since, ironically, the ’06-’07 season.
Up next, will be a first round state playoff game next Friday night against North Penn, the District One fourth place team. The game will be aired LIVE on The Eastern Pa. Sports Network. Time TBA.
In last night’s win, Emmaus led 14-7 after the first quarter, 18-14 at the break and in a crucial third quarter, outscored Liberty 13-7 to take a 10-point lead into the final eight minutes.
The Hurricane were able to win the fourth quarter 11-7, but struggled in the last five minutes of the game managing just one field goal.
All of Emmaus’ points in the quarter came from the free-throw line where Snyder was clutch going 7-for-8 to seal the victory. As a team, the Hornets shot 77 percent (10 of 13) from the charity stripe.
Liberty was led in scoring by sophomore Ava Kopetski who scored a team-high 14 points. The Hurricane ended their season losing three of their last four games and finishing just one game over .500 (14-13) for the season.
Defensively, Emmaus held the Hurricane to just nine field goals and 20 percent from the floor, including just 12 percent from beyond the arc. The Hornets held a slight advantage on the boards (28-24).
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NOTE: This story will be updated.
Emmaus 38, Liberty 32
Em – Mya Cooper 2 0-0 4, Kayla Snyder 2 7-8 12, Gabby DeVita 5 3-3 14, Taylor Griffith 0, Cassie Doemling 3 0-2 6, Sofie Laird 1 0-0 2, Olive Whitney 0, Emma Naccarato 0. Totals: FG 13, FT 10-13, 3s (2) – Snyder, DeVita
Lib – Ava Kopetskie 3 8-12 14, Ruby Miller 2 1-2 6, Emma Pukszyn 1 3-3 5, Anijah Davis 0, Iysis Nickens 3, Abby Thompson 2, Jordan Thompson 0, Julia Medaska 0, Shawna Beatty 2. Totals: FG 9, FT 12-17, 3s (2) – Nickens, Miller
Em – 14-4-13-7 – 38
Lib – 7-7-7-11 -32