The Emmaus boys basketball team has had trouble knocking off Parkland over the course of the last five-plus years, as have most teams in this area.

But the Green Hornets had a fast start against the Trojans in Tuesday’s East Penn Conference opener and never looked back. They opened a 16-2 lead in the first quarter on their way to a 63-50 Eastern Pennsylvania Conference victory over the Trojans last Tuesday night at Emmaus High School. It was the Hornets’ first victory over Parkland since Dec. 20 of 2016.

It was a packed house inside of the cozy Emmaus High School gymnasium, and the game that had a playoff-like atmosphere.

“It’s always hard to come into this gym and win,” said Parkland head coach Andy Stephens, who once coached the Green Hornets program. “They always play us tough, and we always get up for this game. It’s just a great rivalry in high school sports and they got the better of us tonight.”

Parkland (1-2 overall, 0-1 EPC) was playing without returning leading scorer in senior captain Logan Rindock, who suffered facial injuries that required stitches after a hard fall in Friday’s season opener against Freedom in the Jeff Dailey Memorial Tournament at Notre Dame (Green Pond).

Trailing 16-2 after the opening six minutes against Emmaus, the Trojans did not give up. They scored the final five points of the first quarter and outscored the Hornets 11-4 to start the second quarter to cut its deficit to 20-18 with 2:50 left in the half.

Parkland was down just 28-23 at halftime, but the Hornets once again stepped up and went on a run to open the third quarter. They went on a 14-1 run in a quick span to take a comfortable lead and then hold on in the end.

Jared Kucharczuk sparked the Trojans with 14 points, including 12 in the second half. Jake Melady was also in double-figures with 10. Gabe Khalife had eight points and Adam Klinger tallied six in the defeat.

“We had a team meeting after the game and I didn’t yell at all,” Stephens said. “It was actually more positive. It may take us eight games. We’re going to get there. We’re still trying to figure things out. I’m proud of the effort because we could have been totally blown out tonight. I’m definitely not losing faith. They’re great kids and we have great practices. We’re going to get better.”

The Trojans opened the season Friday with a 61-53 loss to Freedom in the Dailey Tournament. The bounced back with a 70-63 win over Dieruff in the consolation game on Saturday.

Parkland hosts Central Catholic Friday and then plays Phillipsburg at noon Sunday in the Lehigh Valley Roundball JAMboree at Liberty.