Girls Athlete of the Week: Krista Embrett

The Westfield High School girl’s basketball team has been through a tough winter. But there have been some bright spots like 41-39 upset victory of rival Scotch Plains-Fanwood Jan. 29.

Senior forward Krista Embrett had two points and pulled down seven rebounds in the game and also done what she’s done all season – she played relentless defense.

She held Scotch Plains-Fanwood star Aysia Peterson to four points to help out.
Embrett is this week’s Westfield Patch Female Athlete of the Week.

“She’s very tough,’’ said assistant coach Lindsay El-Koury. “She doesn’t give up and when you tell her to do something she does it.’’

The Blue Devils, 3-15, will need Embrett’s fire to slow down Scotch Plains-Fanwood once again when the two meet Saturday at 3 p.m. in Scotch Plains in a Union County Tournament game.

Embrett, a three-year varsity player, also had 10 rebounds in a 55-34 loss to Summit Tuesday and had five steals in Thursday’s 48-39 loss to Union.

“Her aggressiveness and feistiness and she makes good decisions on defense,’’ said head coach Joe Marino when asked what makes Embrett such an effective defender.

The Blue Devils will hope to challenge Scotch Plains-Fanwood once again with Embrett and senior forward Martina Landeka in the forefront.

“She was aggressive,’’ said Marino, referring to how Embrett helped shut down Peterson. “”She didn’t back down and boxed her out.’’