Girls Basketball – Hornets face a familiar foe in District XI opener Friday taking on Pocono Mountain West. PREVIEW

Matchup: No.5 seed Emmaus (15-10) vs No.4 seed PM West (15-8)

When/Where: Friday 6 p.m./Pleasant Valley HS

What’s on the line: A berth in the District XI semifinals on Feb. 27 vs winner of No. 1 Parkland/No. 8 Stroudsburg. Winner also guaranteed at least two more games

Coaches: Emmaus – Kelsey Gallagher (7th year, 66-87); PM West – Jim Dempsey (1st year)

Head to Head: Teams didn’t meet

Probable starters –  Emmaus – Fresh. Kayla Snyder (9.7 ppg), Soph. Gabby De Vita (10.2), Sr. Mya Cooper (6.4), Sr. Taylor Griffith (3.9), Jr. Cassandra Doemling (6.4). Others: So. Olive Whitney (2.3), Jr. Sofie Laird (3), Sr. Julie Adams (2.5), Jr. Emma Naccarato (1.2), Jr. Sylvia Sokolofksi (3.4)

PM West – Sr. Ani Malone (15.9), Sr. Alyssa Ford (12.6), Sr. Sehaila Jones (5), Jr. Mia Bowden (4.4), Sr. Brianne Steidl (5.2). Others: Soph. Ashley Hunter-Ali

GAME NOTES: Emmaus has qualified for the District XI Tournament for the fourth consecutive season. The last three years the Hornets have had their season ended by Nazareth. Emmaus’ last win in districts came back in the 2020-21 season vs Pleasant Valley 42-25 … The Hornets met PMW a year ago in the opening round of the EPC Tournament and went on the road to defeat the Panthers 59-54 in overtime. Mya Cooper had a team-high 16 points, while Taylor Griffith added 13 … Emmaus will look to continue their post-season hot streak going as they’ve won 10 of their last 12 games …They last played a week ago in the EPC championship game vs rival Parkland … PMW hasn’t played since falling to Liberty on February 9 in the opening-round of the EPC playoffs …Malone was a 2nd Team EPC All-Star and 1st Team North Division All-Star; Ford was also a 1st Team North Division All-Star.

Emmaus history in the District XI Tournament (Last 5 years):

2022-23: Lost to Nazareth 41-34

2021-22: Lost to Nazareth 47-25

2020-21: Won vs Pleasant Valley 42-25, Lost to Nazareth 47-24

2019-20: Missed qualifying

2018-19: Missed qualifying