RECAP >> Make that five straight wins for the Emmaus girls basketball team, and along with it, a record that the program has seen in three years.
The Hornets overcame an 11-point deficit late in the second quarter last night at home at ‘The Hive’ as they continued their winning ways rallying for a wild 46-42 win over Allen in Eastern Pennsylvania Conference (EPC) action.
Head coach Kelsey Gallagher’s team which started the season 2-7, has reached the .500 mark (7-7) for the first time since 2016-17 after its fifth straight win and sixth in the last seven games.
“The last four games have been really exciting, this game especially,” said Gallagher on Penn Sports Radio. “We’re .500 and I can’t remember the last time Emmaus girls basketball was at that mark.
“This is a huge milestone for us and I don’t think we’re done yet,” she added. “We’re starting to make people nervous and we’re getting better day in and day out and with as young as we are, we’re staying disciplined.”
The Hornets needed to that against an Allen team like Emmaus, which is also looking to qualify for the District XI Class 6A playoffs hovering at the .500 mark (5-7 overall) entering play.
The Canaries have qualified for districts the past four years, meanwhile it’s been since the ’13-’14 season for the Hornets.
Thanks to the efforts of senior Alyssa Burkhart and freshman Ky Brantley. who were both named co-Penn Sports Radio Players of the Game, the Hornets were able to rally.
Burkhart, who played all 32 minutes, led all scorers with four 3-pointers and a season-high 16 points, while Brantley added 14 with most of her points coming from the free-throw line where she went 12-for-16, including a perfect 6-for-6 in the crucial fourth quarter
“They’ve really stepped up these last five games,” said Gallagher of the two who combined for 30 points in the win. “They do their roles and both are a big part offensively, but they also play a role defensively. “
Allen (5-8 overall/3-6 EPC) was hurt with 20 turnovers in the game and poor free throw shooting, going just 1-for-7 from the line. Sophomore Shanaiya Ellis led the Canaries with a team-high 10 points, while teammate freshman Janiah Staggers came off the bench and added 9.
Emmaus will return to action on Friday at 7 p.m. as they play their third straight home game hosting Stroudsburg.
Like Emmaus girls basketball on facebook, follow @Emmaussports.com on twitter for continued updates on the team throughout the season.
Allen – 15-12-7-8 – 42
Emmaus – 11-10-10-15 – 46
Allen – Shanaiya Ellis 4 0-1 10, Aslyn Toledo 2 0-0 6, Jakayla Wise 3 0-3 6, T’Nyah Riggins 0 0-0 0, Shaliah Sneed 2 0-0 4, Janiah Staggers 4 1-3 9, Destiny Davis 0 0-1 0, Lamiyah Carter 1 0-0 2, Akwal Madok 1 0-0 2, Amyah Willimas 1 0-0 3. Totals: FG 18, FT 1-8, 3s – 5 (Ellis 2, Toledo 2, Williams)
Emmaus – Ky Brantley 1 12-16 14, Kam Watkins 2 0-2 5, Alyssa Burkhart 6 0-0 16, Paige Inman 0 0-0 0, Grace Oglesbee 1 2-4 4. Subs: Brooke Wunderler 2 0-0 5, Bianca Rollins 0 1-2 1, Steph Klemick 0 0-1 0, Marah Sisonick 0 1-3 1, Lexi Brader 0 0-0 0, Megan Petrizzi 0 0-0 0. Totals: FG 12, FT 16-28, 3s – 6 (Burkhart 4, Watkins, Wunderler)