The Emmaus High School boys basketball team looked a lot different entering the 2024-25 season than it did the year prior. Some talented and experienced seniors that led the program to a ton of success graduated and longtime head coach Steve Yoder stepped down and Jerald Brown took over a senior-laden yet somewhat inexperienced team at the varsity level.

The Hornets reached the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference championship game last winters and made it to the District 11 final four and state playoffs.

This winter was a transition season for the team as it finished 5-17 overall and 5-11 in the conference.

“It was a rough first season,” said Brown. “Especially when it came to wins and losses. We weren’t able to achieve some of our goals, but I am pleased to see that the boys did not give up. They are hard workers and continued to learn and grow as student-athletes.”

While it was Brown’s first year with the team, he still enjoyed watching his senior class play its final home game a few weeks ago.

“The senior night was one of my favorite nights of the year to get a chance to see the parents and athletes walking on the court for their last home game was priceless,” Brown said.

When asked about who was someone that impressed him the most, Brown mentioned senior Owen Hafner.

“Owen Hafner was an amazing standout for us this year,” said Brown. “He came on strong, especially toward the end of the season. He will be playing in the Lehigh Valley Senior All-Star Classic on March 30, at Northampton Community College.”

Hafner averaged 8.9 points per game during his senior season, and was one of the team’s top three scorers along with classmates Jack Csensits (12.2 ppg) and Michael Rooney (6.5 ppg).

Emmaus will graduate another large senior class in spring. Eight members of this year’s tam played their final games in green and gold this past season, including Jack Csensits, Matthew Deschenes, Ethan Dublin, Hafner, Gabriel Kabba, Tyler Nunez, Michael Rooney and Chase Whitesell.

Hafner, Csensits, Rooney, Deschenes and Whitesell played in all 22 games this winter.

“Our group of seniors were inexperienced when it comes to playing at the varsity level together with the extended minutes and roles, but they were as tough as nails on the court,” Brown said.

Brown is excited for the talent the team has coming back from the varsity squad, but also the youth programs in JV and freshmen.

“We have a great deal of talent coming through the program over the course of the next 2-3 years,” said Brown. “And I am looking forward to developing these young men. We look forward to building on the successes they have had this past year.”