RECAP >> Playing in its first post-season game in eight years – minus last year’s shortened COVID season – the Emmaus girls’ basketball team was hoping to reverse its fortunes against a Nazareth squad which has dominated them over the years.
Heading into its District XI quarterfinal round game against the Blue Eagles on Friday, the Hornets had lost 14 straight to the two-time defending champs dating back to the 2013-14 season with the margin of defeat being 29 points.
Unfortunately, that trend continued and for the second straight year, it’s Nazareth that once again puts an end to head coach Kelsey Gallagher’s team’s season.
The third-seeded Blue Eagles controlled play from the opening tip and defensively completely shut down sixth-seeded Emmaus as they rolled to a 47-25 win before a nice-size crowd at Whitehall High School.
Nazareth outscored the Hornets in three of the four quarters, jumping out to a 12-1 lead after the first quarter, a 22-5 advantage at the half and 37-15 after three quarters. Emmaus was able to manage just one field goal in the first half, that coming from junior Paige Inman with 5:40 left in the second quarter. The Hornets were held to their third lowest offensive output of the season.
With the loss, Emmaus closed the books on a 12-12 season. The 12 wins is the most in program history since the 2013-14 season, which also ended with a 12-12 record.
Nazareth (17-7) had three players reach double figures in the win. Senior Kelly Leszcynski and sophomore Sam Baker each scored a game-high 13 points, while sophomore Breelyn Bender added 12. The Blue Eagles advance to the semifinals on Tuesday to take on second-seeded Northampton. The other semifinal will pit top-seeded Easton taking on fifth-seeded Parkland. Both games will be played at Whitehall High School.
Emmaus was led in scoring by senior Kam Watkins who had a team-high seven points. Sophomore Mya Cooper chipped in with six.
The game marked the final one in the high school careers of Emmaus’ five seniors: Watkins, Sarah Hoch, Grace Oglesbee, Alyssa Brader and Callie Cook.
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Em – 1-4-10-10- 25
Na – 12-10-15-10 – 47
Em – Paige Inman 2 0-0 4, Kam Watkins 3 0-2 7, Grace Oglesbee 0 0-0 0, Sarah Hoch 1 1-3 4, Mya Cooper 2 2-3 6, Taylor Griffith 1 0-0 3, Julia Adams 0 0-0 0, Alyssa Brader 0 0-0 0, Emma Klinedinst 0 1-2 1, Sofie Laird 0 0-0 0, Emma Naccarato 0 0-0 0, Melea Weber 0 0-0 0. Totals: FG 9, FT 4-10, 3s (3 – Watkins, Hoch, Griffith)
Na – Kelly Leszynski 5 0-0 13, Madeline Ahearn 0 0-0 0, Blake Schuler 1 0-0 2, Sam Baker 5 0-0 13, Breelyn Bender 6 0-4 12, Jenna Martucci 1 0-0 2, Renee Wells 1 0-0 2, Isabella Novak 0 0-0 0, Hailey Falzone 0 0-0 0, Addison Kae 1 0-0 3, Sarah Topping 0 0-0 0, Braedyn Chobin 0 0-0 0. Totals: FG 20, FT 0-4, 3s (7 – Leszynski 3, Baker 3, Kae)