Lady Panthers Clinch Playoff Berth Behind A Pair Of Emmas

The Riverside girls basketball team has clinched a playoff berth and wrapped up its regular season Thursday with a 52-13 victory over New Brighton.

A pair of Emmas will now lead the charge for the Lady Panthers as they forge their way in to the WPIAL Class 3A Playoffs.

“Emma Meyer is a tireless worker and Emma Stockman just comes up big game after game,” says first year head coach John Fruehstorfer.

Emma Meyer knocked home 26 points on Monday in a 60-17 rout of Sto-Rox and is no stranger to 20-point efforts. Meyer is closing in on 300 points for the regular season and really took off after a Christmas Tournament victory over Laurel according to her coach.

Meyer scored 25 points but Laurel rallied to close a 20-point deficit before Riverside held for the victory.

“The team held off a come back to go on to win the game,” recalls Fruehstorfer. “They did what I asked and trusted the process. Since then we have gotten better every game I feel like.”

Addison Drake and Ashley Hare are also each critical components to the Lady Panthers success says Fruehstorfer.

“Ashley has worked her butt off and I ask Addison change her position and she has excelled at it. Great kids.”

Stockman and Drake both had games of 18 rebounds earlier in the regular season. Stockman and Drake each posted games with 17 rebounds. For the season, Stockman is closing in 200 rebounds.

Last year the Panthers earned an 8-seed and an opening round victory over Deer Lakes in the Class 3A Playoffs before bowing out to top seeded Shady Side Academy in the quarterfinals.

“For the team to graduate four starters and be in this position again says a lot about the fortitude of these underclassmen,” says Fruehstorfer.

Fruehstorfer is no stranger to WPIAL playoffs coming to Riverside by way of Union where his daughters were part of the Union Scotties three consecutive WPIAL Class 1A championships and PIAA state title in 2023.

“From getting hired late and starting a whole new system this team has worked there but off. I believe we are in a good place going into the WPIAL playoffs and I know these Riverside girls will give it there all.”

To prepare for the WPIAL Playoffs, the varsity girls basketball will scrimmage at Laurel on Wednesday, February 11th at 4:00 p.m.