Who: No.6 seed Emmaus (12-11) vs No.3 seed Nazareth (16-7 )
When/Where: Friday 6 p.m./Whitehall High School
Coverage: LIVE www.easternpasportsnetwork.com, 5:40 p.m. pregame
What’s on the line: A berth in the District XI semifinals vs winner of No.2 Northampton/No.7 Freedom
Coaches: Emmaus – Kelsey Gallagher (5th season); Nazareth – Rich Bickert (15th season )
Head-to-Head: Teams didn’t meet
Probable starters: Emmaus – Jr. Paige Inman (7.2 ppg), Sr. Kam Watkins (6.9, 3rd Team EPC), Sr. Grace Oglesbee (5.3 ), Sr. Sarah Hoch (5.9), Soph. Mya Cooper (6.1). Reserves: Soph. Taylor Griffith (5), Sr. Alyssa Brader (1), Soph. Julia Adams (1)
Nazareth – Sr. Kelly Leszcynski (13 ppg., 56 3s, 1st Team EPC), Sr. Maddie Ahearn (7.1, 32 3s), Soph. Samantha Baker (6.1), Soph. Jenna Martucci, (6), Sr. Sarah Topping, Soph. Breelyn Bender (5.8). Reserves: Sr. Hailey Falzone (2.3), Sr. Blake Shuler (1.5)
GAME NOTES – Emmaus and Nazareth are meeting for the second consecutive year in districts. A year ago, the Blue Eagles defeated the Hornets 47-24 in the COVID-shortened season on their way to winning the championship … Emmaus last qualified for districts back in 2013-14. They also qualified in 2011-12 ….The Hornets ended the regular-season with three straight losses to Parkland (41-39), CCHS (38-33) and Easton (56-25 EPC Tournament) ….Nazareth last played in the EPC Tournament on Feb. 10 and lost in the opening round to Northampton 43-30. It marked the second time that the K-Kids defeated the Blue Eagles (53-27). Nazareth’s other losses have come against Easton (57-53 &49-32), Freedom (55-49), Becahi (55-40), and CCHS (37-35) …The Blue Eagles have owned this series winning 14 straight against the Hornets. Emmaus’ last win came back in 2011-12 (49-36)……Magic number for Emmaus: 40. The Hornets are 10-1 this season when scoring 40 or more points in a game, just 2-10 under 40