Record breaker
Lady Gators’ Larkin rising up scoring charts but covets WPIAL title
Emma Larkin had an unforgettable junior season and already a record-breaking senior year.
The Geibel Catholic girls basketball star broke Shelley Bortz’ program scoring record of 1,977 on Dec. 1 then went over the 2,000-point mark for her career on Dec. 4.
Still, although she admits the records and milestones are nice, playing for a WPIAL championship would be better. The Lady Gators won a section crown, went 22-4 overall and came one win short of playing in the Petersen Events Center for the Class A district title last season.
“Last year was everything I ever dreamed of short of winning a WPIAL title,” Larkin said. “We did so well, it was such a memorable year. But I still want to play at the Pete, I still want to win a WPIAL title.”
Larkin, a 5-foot-5 versatile point guard, has helped resurrect a Geibel program, spearheading a charge to three consecutive playoff berths along with the section championship and WPIAL final four appearance, all while playing under her mother, Lady Gators coach Sara Larkin.
She still has another record within reach, that being the Fayette County girls basketball scoring record of 2,440 points held by Albert Gallatin graduate Loui Hall.
Emma Larkin is focused on her team, however, not her individual statistics. An outstanding all-around player, she realizes she’ll need help to get to a WPIAL final, most notably in the form of 6-1 sophomore Mallory Clemmer, who’s coming off a strong freshman year.
“Now that she’s not a freshman and she kind of has a taste of what it is, how section games are what playoff games are like, I’m expecting a lot from her,” Emma Larkin said. “Her ability and her height takes a lot of pressure off me because now teams can’t just box-and-one me. I see her taking big strides this year and hopefully help us get to the Pete.”
Another key player is 5-9 junior Janiah Darnell.
“Emma, Mallory and Janiah are our top three returning players,” Sara Larkin said. “We lost Ava Patridge, who was a senior, and we had two other upcoming seniors with Emma who aren’t playing this year now. Ava Henderson transferred back to Charleroi and Maddie Waggett’s got a knee injury so she’s out for the year.”
That leaves two other starting spots open this season.
“It’s down to three girls right now, two freshmen, Emaliegh Horn and Alexa Morgan, who are both guards, and a sophomore, Nolace Petrosky, who is a forward,” Sara Larkin said.
Clemmer is unique for someone her size in that she has an effective jump shot.
“My favorite thing is when other coaches say let her shoot,” Sara Larkin said. “I love that, because she may be 6-foot-1 but she shoots the ball well. She has worked a lot on her inside game during the summer because, of course, we need her there, too.
“Janiah is a hustler. She rebounds like crazy and can put the ball up and in. And then both freshmen can shoot the ball. They’re going to have to respect other players offensively other than just Emma.”
Emma runs the show.
“She’s my leader on the floor so that’s the expectation and she knows that,” Sara Larkin said. “We do have other girls who can score to take some of that pressure off of her. It’s always better when you’re not the sole person out there anyone is worried about stopping. Mallory can work the ball inside and shoot the ball outside.”
Sara Larkin acknowledges everyone will be gunning for her team now after such a superlative 2024-25 season.
“The more success you have, the harder and harder it gets,” Sara Larkin said. “We talked about it preseason and the girls tell me what they want, what they’re expectations are, and it’s Pete or bust for us this year. That’s a big goal and a big target to put on their back but that’s what they want and that’s what we’re trying to prepare for.”
Besides the top six, the Lady Gators only have two other varsity players.
“We only have eight on our roster which has kind of been our number since I got here,” Sara Larkin said. “I keep trying to get to that magic 10 and we just haven’t been able to do it. The other two girls are (freshman) Paige Dolan and (sophomore) Maddie Barna. Paige has a little more experience than Maddie.”
While reaching the WPIAL final is the main goal, the first step will be to repeat as champions of a very competitive Section 2-A.
“Clairton lost (WPIAL scoring champion Ivanna) Wade to graduation so that’s big, obviously, but Serra Catholic really didn’t lose anybody and they were pretty tough competition for us last year,” Sara Larkin said. “Bishop Canevin didn’t lose anyone either. West Greene is always tough, it doesn’t matter who they have. They play hard, physical, quick basketball and they have a great coach over there so you have to respect them as well. Monessen has a couple really good players, Maddie Johnson and (Na’jaziah) Carter. It looks pretty competitive this year.”
Bortz lifted her team to a pair of WPIAL finals and although they fell short both times she relishes the memories.
“When I think about my playing days at Geibel, it brings back a flood of emotion,” said Bortz, who is now an anchor/reporter at KDKA. “That gym became a second home to me. We worked hard, we pushed each other, and took so much pride putting on that uniform. The wins we shared were proof of that. Those were the glory days.”
Sara Larkin can’t believe how fast her daughter’s high school years have flown by and both are trying to enjoy the final ride.
“It did go really fast,” Sara Larkin said. “We were just talking about that the other day, that you’re going to blink and this season’s going to be over and she’s going to be off to college.
“It’s bittersweet, but we’re excited for this year, that’s for sure.”