The Emmaus High School boys basketball team had one of its most successful seasons in recent years last season, winning 20 games overall and going 14-2 in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, taking the regular season title while earning the top seed in the conference and district tournaments. The Green Hornets also earned a spot in the state tournament.

Fast forward to this summer with Emmaus once again competing in the Lehigh Valley Summer League. The Green Hornets are off to a fast start, winning five of their first six games.

“It’s been a good turnout from the boys so far this summer,” said head coach Steve Yoder. “They are working hard, and we are off to a 5-1 start, so it has been good to this point.”

The summer is about getting used to playing with new teammates and against better competition for some newer players experiencing varsity for the first time. Yoder is pleased with how the new group has bonded and played together thus far.

“The last few years the boys have really bought into owning their roles and being great teammates for each other,” Yoder said. “This has allowed us to use our depth effectively, which is needed in a long season. We will need that to continue, as we hope to continue to have great depth this upcoming season.”

That depth that Yoder mentioned has included some younger, more inexperienced players, which is a good sign, considering a few names not mentioned have already shown the staff what they can do as contributors.

“Mike Rooney has shined,” said Yoder. “He has worked really hard on getting himself ready to play on the varsity level and it has shown. Teage McCourt has shown great leadership throughout the summer. Jack Curley-Katrishen has worked on getting into much better shape for the demands of playing in the post. The Santos twins (Aidan and Pacey) have given us some great minutes. Those are just a few, but really all the boys have been committed and are working hard.”

With a few more weeks left of games, including the annual summer tournaments, Yoder is looking forward to being around the team and watching them grow as players.

“What excites me the most is just being around such a hardworking group of kids, who really enjoy each other,” Yoder said. “I am excited to see how good we can be.”