The Emmaus High School boys basketball team was looking to get off a recent skid. The Green Hornets took down Dieruff in their season opener back on January 15. But since then the Green Hornets lost four consecutive games and were looking to stop the bleeding as soon as they could.

That happened over the weekend as Emmaus got back into the win column with a 47-39 victory over Whitehall Saturday afternoon at Emmaus High School in an Eastern Pennsylvania Conference game. It was a defensive battle, but the Green Hornets (2-4 overall) were able to pull out the win.

“At this point, every game means a lot to this team and especially the seniors, including myself,” said Hornet senior Danny Bohman. “It felt good to take care of business on the court and come out on top.”

Bohman, a three-year starter who has been a regular contributor on varsity since he was a freshman, finished with eight points, all in the first half, to pace Emmaus to a double-digit lead at halftime (27-17). Bohman is one of the most experienced players on the Hornets’ roster, and he knows he has to be the leader and show the rest of the team the way.

“As a senior, I am just trying my best to spread the knowledge and advice that I have accumulated over the last three years on varsity,” Bohman said. “Also, I just want to make the most out of this year and have fun with my brothers by my side for the last time. This team is very coachable and we respond well when we make mistakes.”

Emmaus was out in front on the scoreboard since the opening tip, leading 13-9 after the opening quarter, 27-17 at halftime and then 34-23 after the third quarter.

Senior Shep Henseler led all Green Hornets and tied for a game-high with nine points. He has been a swiss army knife over the course of the last two seasons, doing whatever is asked of him by the coaching staff and his teammates.

“Shep has been one of my favorite people to spend time with on and off the court,” said Bohman. “He has grown into a man that will do anything he needs to accomplish his goal. Wherever we need him, he will fill that spot, no questions asked. I could not ask for a better teammate and brother to grow up with.”

Emmaus may not have lit up the scoreboard, but its defense helped it win the game. Bohman knows that his team needs to play with that energy every practice and every game, seeing as how the season is coming down to a close.

“Even though we may not be running up the scoreboard often, one thing we can always control is our defensive identity,” Bohman said. “Our focus is always defense and that usually will help transfer over to the offensive aspect of our game. And again, we know that the current game or practice could be our last one because COVID can be so unpredictable. So, you do not see this team taking any court time for granted whether it’s a practice or game.”

Jadis Brevitt recorded eight points. Jameel Sanders tallied seven points, Paddy Tulio had six points and Meech Rogers added five.

Emmaus takes on Parkland for two games this week, one on Thursday night at Parkland and the other at home on Saturday.