Matchup: District 11 runner-up Emmaus (20-7) vs District One fifth place CB East (22-5)
When/Where: Friday 7 p.m./Emmaus HS
What’s on the line: Winner advances to the second round on Tuesday vs winner of Dallastown (District 3 runner-up) or Spring-Ford (District One seventh place)
Coaches: Emmaus – Avon Mack (2nd year, 45-10); CB East – Liz Potash (13th year)
Coverage: LIVE on The Eastern Pa. Sports Network (Listen: https://easternpasportsnet1.mixlr.com/events/4895418)
Probable starters – Emmaus: Sr Gabby DeVita (16 ppg., 1st Team EPC), Sr Olive Whitney (10.2, 3rd Team EPC), Sr Sierra Stevens (6.8), Soph. Gracie Ervin (8.5), Soph. Eva Glover (6.4). Subs: Jr. Sophia Shutkufski (1.6), Soph. Gabby East (2.3), Soph. Olivia Haberl (3.7), Jr. Makayla McGinnis (1.9)
CB East – Jr. Haley Moran (16.5), Sr. Jess Lockwood (10.6), Sr. Natalie Berndt (10.9), Fresh. Payton Williams (10.8), Sr. Emma Penecale (2.4), Jr. Delaney Long (2.1), Jr. Hailey Helmstetter (2.3)
Coach Mack: “They (CB East) handle the ball very well. They are consistent in their offense, and they run there sets well, similar to us. [In watching them on film] it seems to me that they don’t care who scores, they just want to get the best shot. We played them in off season in the Kutztown Tournament so we’re familiar. All five players can shoot. One of those keys to a victory is limit turnovers and the other is to be efficient offensively. It’s going to be a dogfight.”
GAME NOTES: Emmaus is appearing in states for the second time in the last three years and hosting its first-ever playoff game. The Hornets last appearance was back in the 2023-24 season when they lost to North Penn (48-34) … CB East is in states for the third consecutive season. A year ago, the Patriots lost to Cardinal O’Hara 48-28 and two years ago to Dallastown, 43-36 … CB East was the No. 2 seed in the District 1 Tournament, and after falling in the quarterfinal round to Pennsbury 44-35, bounced back with wins over Spring-Ford 43-27 and defending state champ Perk Valley 64-54 in the fifth-place game. The team features two 1,000-point scorers and junior Haley Moran and senior Jess Lockwood.