The Emmaus High School boys basketball team had a successful 2023-24 season, finishing with a 20-8 overall record and 13-3 mark in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, ending up as the runner-up in the conference tournament and a third-place finish in the District 11 6A tournament, qualifying for the state tournament along the way.

The Hornets did all of that under longtime head coach Steve Yoder, who stepped down following the season.

Jerald Brown accepted the position and will begin his first year as head coach for the 2024-25 regular season.

“I’ve always had a passion to coach the game,” said Brown. “Being in the school district and around the kids, it felt like it would be a good transition. I coached the AAU program ‘The Lab,’ and coached the rising four seniors on the current Emmaus team. It was just a perfect opportunity for me.”

Emmaus graduated a talented group of seniors, including Will Barber (18.9 ppg., First Team EPC), Jametric Harris (14.1, Second Team EPC), Teague McCourt (5.9), Jack Curley-Katrishen (4.3), Pacey Santos, Aiden Santos, Dan Rohlsen and Matt Volquez.

Some top returning players include seniors Jack Csensits (5.3), Chase Whitesell, Owen Hafner (2.3), Mike Rooney (2.5), Matt Deschenes and Tyler Nunez. A couple of key newcomers that will be expected to contribute in the lineup include seniors Ethan Dublin and Gabe Kabba, along with sophomores Jake Ross, Matt Rooney, Tim Toles and Lucas Stephan.

Brown talked about what he is expecting to see out of his group and how he wants to lead them.

“Getting in shape,” Brown said. “The style of basketball I want to ingrain in the program, they need to be in shape. I want them to be relentless and share the ball.

“We lost some great seniors, so we have holes to fill. We as a team, I want them to buy in. I talked to the guys about transitioning and building upon what coach Yoder has established. It’s time for us to expand that and keep it going. I believe Emmaus is the city on the hill. We are the light. We have to put in the work. I believe they have the passion and the heart to be very successful.”

Emmaus opened its regular season in the Wilkes-Barre Tournament last weekend and fell to both Wilkes-Barre and Holy Redeemer. The conference opener was this past Monday night at home against Central Catholic. The Green Hornets host Nazareth on Thursday and are at Freedom Friday.