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Emma Yogis’ secret is out.
And both she and the Archbishop Wood girls basketball team couldn’t be happier.
Going into her junior season with the Vikings, Yogis was ready to find her role on a team that had won four straight PIAA state championships.
In the offseason, Yogis worked hard on her defense, which she says was her weak point, and continued to practice her 3-point shooting.
The work paid off.
As the season went on, Yogis earned more and more playing time, coming off the bench to put on a 3-point shooting clinic.
Prior to the playoffs, coach Mike McDonald called Yogis an “unsung hero” and “secret weapon.”
Now, it looks like Yogis needs to find a new role. Because after recent playoff performances, she’s no longer a secret.
“After last season, I knew I needed to work on my defense to see more playing time,” said Yogis. “That’s something Coach McDonald really emphasizes. And I wanted to challenge myself.
“Last year, I didn’t really have a role on the team.”
Now, when Yogis hears her number called, she knows exactly what she needs to do.
“Shooting 3-pointers is my only role,” she said.
After not playing in the PIAA playoffs last season, Yogis is hearing her number called more and more often this time around.
In the first round, Yogis scored 17 points – second-best on the team – sinking five 3s in the win against Lower Moreland. In the quarterfinal and semifinal victories, Yogis scored 12 points in each game – all on 3-pointers.
From unsung hero to a top 3-point shooter in the Philadelphia Catholic League, all in one season?
“It’s definitely been a fun season,” said Yogis.
PIAA Girls Basketball: State championship matchups for Archbishop Wood, Lansdale Catholic
For Yogis, attending Wood and playing for the Vikings basketball team has been a dream come true.
The Warrington resident grew up watching the Vikings while attending St. Joseph/St. Robert Catholic School.
She started playing basketball in second grade, and despite some challenges, she knew before too long that basketball would be her sport.
“I was always one of the smallest players on the court,” Yogis recalled. “I started working to develop my outside shooting skills so I’d have an edge against the bigger players.”
Her older sister, Julia Yogis, an accomplished basketball player herself, helped Emma develop those skills. Julia, a star softball player at Wood who now plays for Widener, played on the Vikings’ basketball team her freshman year. Last year, as a senior, Julia came back to manage the team and have bonding time with Emma.
Now that Emma is playing for the team she so admired growing up, she and her teammates have quite the fan club of their own.
Yogis’ No. 1 fan is younger sister Olivia, who is in fourth grade – and, of course – a basketball player.
“She loves watching our games,” said Yogis. “She already talks about how she wants to go to Wood and play basketball.”
By that time, the Vikings, who are going for a record fifth straight PIAA state championship on Saturday, might be trying for their 10th straight title.
“Our team works so well together, no matter who is on the court, or how many players we lose from the previous year,” said Yogis. “It’s all about the team; we’re all in for each other.
“That’s what makes us so successful.”
Yogis knew that by attending Wood, she likely wouldn’t see much playing time her first few years.
She knew that, by going to another school, she would have a chance to play right away. She would likely be a starter, perhaps even leading another team in scoring.
But this? This is much better.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: PIAA Girls Basketball: Archbishop Wood Emma Yogis is secret weapon
Continue reading...
And both she and the Archbishop Wood girls basketball team couldn’t be happier.
Going into her junior season with the Vikings, Yogis was ready to find her role on a team that had won four straight PIAA state championships.
In the offseason, Yogis worked hard on her defense, which she says was her weak point, and continued to practice her 3-point shooting.
The work paid off.
You must be registered for see images attach
As the season went on, Yogis earned more and more playing time, coming off the bench to put on a 3-point shooting clinic.
Prior to the playoffs, coach Mike McDonald called Yogis an “unsung hero” and “secret weapon.”
Now, it looks like Yogis needs to find a new role. Because after recent playoff performances, she’s no longer a secret.
“After last season, I knew I needed to work on my defense to see more playing time,” said Yogis. “That’s something Coach McDonald really emphasizes. And I wanted to challenge myself.
“Last year, I didn’t really have a role on the team.”
Now, when Yogis hears her number called, she knows exactly what she needs to do.
“Shooting 3-pointers is my only role,” she said.
After not playing in the PIAA playoffs last season, Yogis is hearing her number called more and more often this time around.
In the first round, Yogis scored 17 points – second-best on the team – sinking five 3s in the win against Lower Moreland. In the quarterfinal and semifinal victories, Yogis scored 12 points in each game – all on 3-pointers.
From unsung hero to a top 3-point shooter in the Philadelphia Catholic League, all in one season?
“It’s definitely been a fun season,” said Yogis.
PIAA Girls Basketball: State championship matchups for Archbishop Wood, Lansdale Catholic
Growing up a fan, playing for Wood girls basketball a dream come true
For Yogis, attending Wood and playing for the Vikings basketball team has been a dream come true.
The Warrington resident grew up watching the Vikings while attending St. Joseph/St. Robert Catholic School.
She started playing basketball in second grade, and despite some challenges, she knew before too long that basketball would be her sport.
“I was always one of the smallest players on the court,” Yogis recalled. “I started working to develop my outside shooting skills so I’d have an edge against the bigger players.”
Her older sister, Julia Yogis, an accomplished basketball player herself, helped Emma develop those skills. Julia, a star softball player at Wood who now plays for Widener, played on the Vikings’ basketball team her freshman year. Last year, as a senior, Julia came back to manage the team and have bonding time with Emma.
Now that Emma is playing for the team she so admired growing up, she and her teammates have quite the fan club of their own.
Yogis’ No. 1 fan is younger sister Olivia, who is in fourth grade – and, of course – a basketball player.
“She loves watching our games,” said Yogis. “She already talks about how she wants to go to Wood and play basketball.”
By that time, the Vikings, who are going for a record fifth straight PIAA state championship on Saturday, might be trying for their 10th straight title.
You must be registered for see images attach
“Our team works so well together, no matter who is on the court, or how many players we lose from the previous year,” said Yogis. “It’s all about the team; we’re all in for each other.
“That’s what makes us so successful.”
Yogis knew that by attending Wood, she likely wouldn’t see much playing time her first few years.
She knew that, by going to another school, she would have a chance to play right away. She would likely be a starter, perhaps even leading another team in scoring.
But this? This is much better.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: PIAA Girls Basketball: Archbishop Wood Emma Yogis is secret weapon
Continue reading...
