Emmaus Boys Basketball Falters Down the Stretch

Trying to rebound from a disappointing loss Dec. 17 to Allen, the Emmaus boys' basketball team had a win clear in its sights Dec. 21, but let it slip away.

Before a large crowd at Dieruff High School, the Hornets jumped out to a lead as large as 18 points, but ultimately gave the game away late resulting in a confidence-killing 53-50 defeat.

The contest started with a bucket right off the tip by the Hornets, who appeared to be home free for much of the game from there. Even though the team lost starting senior guard Tim Sullivan within the first minute to an apparent ankle injury, the Hornets looked to be unfazed. With early contributions from junior guard Steve Bitto off the bench in place of Sullivan, the team rolled to a 17-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Sullivan is the second player to be injured so far this year. He joins starting junior forward Greg Bobal sidelined on the bench.

"The injury messed up our rotation for the game," said coach Steve Yoder. "I don't think his loss affected our rebounding, but it did make us dig further into our bench."

Emmaus started its sloppy play in the second quarter with a few turnovers and missed shots. After a timeout, Dieruff had a short 6-0 run led by seniors Montreal and Xavier Howard to tighten the affair to within four points. With the absence of Sullivan, Dieruff pounded the ball inside, which eventually led to a tie game. After a couple of key three-pointers by senior guard Danny Kinek and junior forward Matt Wiseley, the Hornets retook the lead 24-23 at halftime.

Early in the third quarter, Emmaus jumped out to a huge lead after wasting it away late in the second. The Hornets led by as many 18 points mid-way through the third.

Wiseley and Kinek continued their sharpshooting and put their team in a comfortable position. But, just as in the previous quarter, the Huskies fought back and proved their will.

 Xavier Howard continued to lead the charge by getting to the free-throw line, and senior guard Carlos Marquez chipped in a few three-pointers to highlight a nine-point night. The run left the Huskies down by just eight at the end of the quarter and Yoder frustrated.

"We were in a position to win the game and we didn't put them away," he lamented. "Their rebounding let them back in it at that point."

 Although the Huskies cut a considerable slice into the deficit, Emmaus was still in a good position to walk away with a solid conference road victory. The defense was shutting down Montreal Howard after he got off to a quick start, but senior guards Jordan Adams and Rasean Jenkins began to do their part to fuel the Huskies' rally.

Free throws by Steve Gigler settled down the rambunctious Dieruff fan base, but the Huskies' squad didn't fade. The game remained tight because of missed opportunities by the green and gold, and it was anyone's game heading into the last minute.

Montreal Howard had a key steal and bucket with a foul along with it to bring his team within two. The Hornets, however, countered with a similar play by Wiseley. Xavier Howard then fouled out, looking to be a major hit Dieruff. But, again, missed Emmaus chances allowed for key three-pointers by Adams to tie the game, and later senior guard Robert Allende to put the Huskies ahead for good.

Trailing by one, the Hornets had the chance to win in its final possession. But a key Hornets' turnover in the paint gave the ball back to Dieruff. Emmaus was forced to foul, and Adams coolly hit two win-sealing free throws to lead to the final score of 53-50.

"Nobody was really a key tonight," said a disappointed Yoder. "Up 18 points, you expect to win, and blowing that lead makes nobody stand out in a positive way in my eyes."

The loss drops Emmaus to 2-2 (0-2 in the conference) and in last place in their division. Dieruff is now 2-2 (1-0 in the conference).

The Hornets take on Exeter 7:45 p.m Dec. 23. They will get back to league play at 7 p.m. Jan. 7 at home against Central Catholic.