Steve Yoder has coached the Emmaus High School boys basketball program for the last 16 seasons. He has won many games and coached a ton of prominent student-athletes that etched their names in record books and went on to college careers.

After the Green Hornets final game of the 2023-24 season two weeks ago, Yoder decided to end his time on the bench.

“For the last 16 years, it has been my extraordinary pleasure to serve as the Emmaus boys basketball coach,” said Yoder in a news release from the EHS Athletic Department. “During that time, my wife Stephanie and I have been teachers in the EPSD district. We raised our family right here in Macungie, and we have called it home for the last 22 years. It has been, and continues to be the honor of a lifetime to serve the amazing students of the East Penn School District, both in the classroom and on the basketball court. However, it is at this moment, that I say goodbye to my time on the sidelines.”

It was another successful season for Emmaus, which finished 20-8 overall. The Hornets played in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference championship game, won two games in the District 11 6A Tournament and qualified for states.

“Back-to-back 20-win seasons for this senior group,” said Yoder, “as well as five EPC games, three in the PPL Center, four games in districts, and we qualified for states both years. This was a great senior class that accomplished a lot. We were sad to see it come to an end, but it was a fun ride.”

In the first round of the state tournament on Saturday, March 9, the Green Hornets were downed by District 3’s three seed, Red Lion, 78-65, ending their season.

“Red Lion did a good job in the second half of keeping us out of the paint, and opening up a very tight game,” Yoder said. “Offensively, they got to the rim efficiently, and they also were effective in transition, and while we made a run at them, we played a lot of catch up in the second half.”

Yoder is leaving with an exceptional senior class, including nine players. Will Barber, Jametric Harris, Teague McCourt, Matt Volquez, Aidan and Pacey Santos, Jack Curley-Katrishen, Dan Rohlsen and Lawson Vasquez all will be graduating this spring.

“It was an incredible senior class that got the most out of their talents, and paid it forward to others every day,” said Yoder. “They made it the most enjoyable year of my career, because they had the best attitude, and loved to compete in practice and games.”