Emm-azing!
Larkin sets Geibel Catholic scoring record in win over Southmoreland
CONNELLSVILLE TWP. â Nothing could stop Emma Larkin from setting the all-time scoring record at Geibel Catholic High School on Monday night at âThe Swampâ on the campus of Geibel Catholic Junior/Senior High School.
Not a box-and-one defense that Southmoreland threw at her. Not a lingering cold that left her fatigued. Not the pressure of breaking a record that stood for 33 years.
Larkin entered the non-section contest with the Lady Scotties needing 11 points to tie Shelley Bortz, who scored 1,977 career points while playing for the Lady Gators in the 1991-92 season.
Larkinâs outside shot was not falling early on, but with 3:31 remaining in the second quarter, the senior and Division II Belmont Abbey College commit, took a step-back three-pointer from the far corner that hit nothing but the bottom of the net to surpass Bortz with 1,978 career points.
The game was stopped and Larkin was presented with a banner and game ball for breaking the record.
âWhen I made the three, I didnât even realize I had the record,â Larkin said. âI thought it was for a sub, then everybody started clapping, and I was like, âOh, I got it.'â
Geibel went on to earn a 70-27 victory to improve to 3-0 this season.
Larkin scored 26 points on nine field goals, including two 3-pointers, and was 6 of 12 at the foul line.
Larkin has stated that she never imagined she would be her schoolâs all-time leading scorer, but her illness put a little bit of a damper on passing Bortz.
âI have been sick for 10 days now, so at this point, I am completely over it, and I was completely discouraged coming into this game because I wanted to enjoy it, and Iâm sick,â Larkin said. âIt makes me angry when I miss free throws because thatâs what they are ⌠free, and I get to the foul line a lot, so that needs to be fixed, and it needs to be fixed quickly.â
Larkin has 1,992 career points, which puts her in good position to score her 2,000th on Thursday when the Lady Gators host Steel Valley (0-2) at 7 p.m., but her goal is to do whatever she can to help her team win.
âI will go into this next game with the same mindset as tonight,â Larkin said. âAlso, I would trade all of these points in for the opportunity to win a championship. I also want to thank my teammates because without them, I am not up here talking about what I accomplished. They all played great tonight, and even when they played the box-and-one, my teammates stepped up and got the job done.â
The night was Larkinâs but sophomore Mallory Clemmer was a force inside, as she matched Larkin for high-game scoring honors with 26 points. Clemmer made 12 field goals and was 2 of 3 at the foul line. She also pulled down 21 rebounds.
Sara Larkin, who is not only Emmaâs coach, but her mother, was proud of her daughterâs accomplishment, and also pointed out Clemmerâs play, which will be instrumental in Geibelâs success this season.
âLook at Mal, she came to play today,â Sara Larkin said. âThey can use the box-and-one, but I have four other kids on the floor that can put the ball in the hoop. Emma was sick today, but she was able to push through and get the scoring record.â
Janiah Darnell had 14 points on seven field goals and Alexa Morgan finished with four points on two field goals for the Lady Gators. Clemmer and Larkin left the game with roughly two minutes to go, which allowed Coach Larkin to insert two of her substitutes.
âThat kid (Janiah), is a hustler,â Sara Larkin said. âShe cleans up underneath, and is a great defender, too. Janiah compliments us well. Alexa can run the point, so we need to get the experience out there.â
Ava Keefer led Southmoreland (0-1) in scoring with 11 points on five field goals (1 three-pointer).
âI was pleased with our effort,â Southmoreland coach Barry Collins said. âOur kids didnât have the deer in the headlights look. It was a good atmosphere for them to start the season. We have to get some of the younger girls up to speed.â
Geibel jumped out early and built up a 10-2 lead, as Clemmer and Darnell took advantage of the box-and-one in scoring eight of the first 10 points. Larkin scored on a layup.
The Lady Gators extended their advantage to 17-6, which prompted Collins to take a timeout, but the home team scored the next six points of the first quarter for a 23-6 lead.
Geibel outscored the visitors, 23-9, in the second period for a 46-15 halftime advantage and a running clock in the second half. The Lady Gators won the third quarter, 11-2, and the fourth, 13-10.