Emily Horath is a top scoring option for Manteno, but there’s much more to her game.
The 5-9 senior seems to be everywhere on defense, a notion that’s reinforced by the stat sheet.
In a 57-23 road win over Peotone on Dec. 5, Horath finished with 13 points, five rebounds, four steals, two blocks and three assists.
“When she gets after (it) and gets deflections for us, it creates a lot of offensive opportunities for her,” Panthers coach Bethany Stritar said. “She shot really well in the first half, too. I think she was shooting 100% and then … we jinxed her at halftime.
“But she’s playing really well. We need her to continue to play with that energy, because that just drives the rest of the team.”
Horath embraces that role.
“Yeah, that’s a big part of my game,” she said. “I love playing defense, getting deflections.”
Horath, who also plays volleyball and soccer, is glad to be taking a bigger role this season.
“Last year we had more post players that we could utilize, so she didn’t have as many opportunities,” Stritar said. “We were kind of rotating through a three-post position. So just getting her on the court more is really to our advantage. Especially this year when we are lacking in height.”
Indeed: 5-11 junior Maddie Gesky and Horath are the only Panthers taller than 5-6.
“Last year, I was the third (post) person in or the first off the bench,” Horath said. “Now I’ve moved up to a starter role and have to pick up for the people that left.”
Horath and Gesky — who had 16 points, six rebounds and four blocks against Peotone — are especially tough to stop on the offensive boards. They combined for 11 rebounds on that end against the Blue Devils.
“Me and Maddie, we love playing with each other,” Horath said. “We connect well, we see each other.”
Manteno pulled away from Peotone in the second quarter, riding a 19-0 run to a 38-10 lead. It was 40-15 at halftime and the Panthers opened a 53-15 advantage after three.
Horath’s contributions played a big part in the Panthers’ putting the game away early.
“The past few games, (my) shooting … has been off and (I’ve) been not finishing well,” she said. “But then tonight it all just kind of clicked and it feels good to be back on track.”
Lila Prindeville added eight points, Alyssa Singleton scored five and Brooke Blanchette finished with four points, six rebounds and three assists.
Freshman guard Payton Pape led Peotone with seven points.
“I’m very pleased with the effort they gave,” Stritar said of her team. “… It’s always fun to come and play Peotone and (the Panthers) have a lot of intensity right now, which is good.
“We’ve talked a lot about sharing the wealth and our ball movement was fantastic tonight — just moving the ball, finding opportunities to score where we are strongest.”