Emmaus sophomore Kayla Snyder

Emmaus and Wilson certainly didn't start their seasons with a cupcake on the schedule.  They squared off against each other on Saturday in West Lawn.  Both teams qualified for the state playoffs last year.  Kayla Snyder poured in 19 points as the Hornets held on for a 55-48 victory.  "It's so exciting. It was a tough win," Snyder told Paul Roberts of SV Sports.  The 5'7 sophomore guard provided a dozen points in the second half.  Emmaus scored the first four points of the fourth quarter to go up 46-35.  The Bulldogs, who are coming off a (24-5) campaign, pulled within five points down the stretch.  They struggled at the free throw line, however, going 18-of-32.  The Hornets were 11-of-19 from the stripe.  They got 14 points from junior guard Gabby DeVita before she fouled out with one minute remaining.  "I think her attacking and finishing around the rim has really gotten better," Snyder said of DeVita.  They both averaged about 10 ppg. a season ago.  Emmaus jumped in front 26-15 in the second quarter, but Wilson went on a 7-0 run to end the half.  Sophomore guard Kailani Hardy finished with a game-high 25 points.  The Bulldogs are without junior point guard Laila Jones due to a torn ACL.  Jones racked up 788 points over her first two years.  The Hornets got six points apiece from 5'11 seniors Cassie Doemling and Sylvia Sokolofski.  They gave Avon Mack Jr. a win in his debut as head coach.  "It's been going really good. I feel like he really fits our dynamic. There's never a dull moment, even in practice. He brings so much energy to the team," replied Snyder.  Mack Jr., a former football player at Lehigh University, was the head coach at Moravian Academy from 2022-24.  Wilson also has a new coach in Matt Raquet.  He previously served as an assistant with the Temple and Holy Cross women's basketball programs.  Emmaus won 17 games last season and finished third in the District 11 playoffs.  The Hornets fell to North Penn 48-34 in the opening round of the PIAA-6A tournament.  "My expectations are to win a District championship and get far in State's," said Snyder.