After one of the most successful seasons in program history last year, the Emmaus High School girls basketball team will be looking to take another step forward and bring home gold in 2024-25. The Hornets will be doing so under new leadership in first-year head coach Avon Mack Jr.

“I am excited to be selected to lead this program,” said Mack Jr. “Just looking at their success last year and who we are bringing back, it should be another special season for us. This group is hard working and coachable and really want to win.”

Last season, Emmaus finished with a 17-12 overall record and 10-6 mark in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, making a run all the way to the conference championship game. The Hornets also placed third at the District 11 6A tournament to qualify for states.

“We look to improve upon last year’s success through hard work, commitment, discipline and defense with a number of key returners,” Mack Jr. said. “We have the ability to score from the perimeter as well as in the post; it’s just a matter of us putting it all together and playing unselfish team basketball.”

Emmaus welcomes back a talented and experienced group, led by seniors Cassie Doemling, Emma Naccarato, Sofie Laird and Sylvia Sokolofski, juniors Gabby DeVita and Olive Whitney and sophomore Kayla Snyder. Some top newcomers expected to contribute include junior Sierra Stevens, sophomore Sophia Shutkufski and freshman Olivia Haberl.

“Our four seniors Cassie Doemling, Emma Naccarato, Sofie Laird and Sylvia Sokolofski have the ability to lead with experience,” said Mack Jr. “We need them to push this team to play selfless to achieve their full potential. Kayla Snyder is primed and ready to take that next step to improve upon her freshman campaign and become a team leader. Although, we lost a lot with the departure of Mya Cooper and Taylor Griffith, we have two dynamic athletes ready to step in and take their place in Gabby DeVita and Olive Whitney.”

Emmaus opened up the regular season with a non-conference road game this past Saturday at Wilson and had its conference opener this past Monday at Central Catholic. The home opener is set for Friday night against Hazleton.