Matchup: No. 3 seed Emmaus (20-6) vs No. 1 seed Easton (24-3)
When/Where: Friday 6 p.m./Allen High School
What’s on the line: The District XI Class 6A Championship. Both teams advance to the PIAA State Tournament. The D11 champion hosts District One ninth place (Bensalem or Neshaminy); runner-up hosts District One fifth place (Perkiomen Valley or CB East)
Coaches: Emmaus – Avon Mack (2nd year, 45-9); Easton – Dave Lutz
Coverage: LIVE on The Eastern Pa. Sports Network (Listen: https://easternpasportsnet1.mixlr.com/events/4882850)
Head-to-Head: Easton won 52-40 on December 30
How they got here: Emmaus defeated Liberty 65-37 and Parkland 47-44; Easton defeated PM West 67-22 and Nazareth 45-43
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)
Easton – Sr. Natalie Amato (9.1), Jr. Gabby Wismer (10.9), Soph. Melina Cole (11.4), Sr. Ava Muhammed (5.6), Sr. Lianna Cole (3.3). Subs: Jr. Elena Brunetti (8.1), Fr. Eva Jordan (5.2)
Coach Mack: [The goal is to go] 1-0. If we go 1-0, we earn a lot. We earn a championship. We earn the respect of the league that forgot about us from last year and we can prove to ourselves what we thought all along from the start of the season that we can be champions once again.”
GAME NOTES: Emmaus and Easton meet for the second time this season with the District XI 6A Championship on the line. The Hornets are seeking their first title since the 2003-04 season, while the Red Rovers are looking for the second in the last four years (the other ’22-23). Emmaus also won district titles in 2001-02, 2000-01 and 1997 and ’98 … Easton has had Emmaus’ number in recent history winning 6 of the last 7 seven matchups. The Hornets only win in the period was last year in a 42-23 victory … Senior Gabby DeVita has scored over 400 points on the season (414) and 1,315 for her career ranking her fourth all-time on the scoring list for girls basketball players at Emmaus.