H-S Athlete of the Week: Emma Larkin, Geibel Catholic
Name: Emma Larkin
School: Geibel Catholic
Class: Junior
Sport: Basketball
Larkin’s week: The junior guard scored 38 points in the Lady Gators’ 65-62 overtime victory over Clairton last Monday before pouring in 33 in a 67-47 triumph at Bishop Canevin on Thursday.
Both Section 2-1A victories helped Geibel Catholic improve to 9-1 in section play and 16-1 overall.
The victory over the Lady Bears helped the Lady Gators avenge a 67-51 setback on Dec. 16 at Clairton.
Larkin and her teammates were more than ready when the Lady Bears visited “The Swamp.”
“We were really prepared and locked in to play Clairton the second time,” Emma Larkin said. “We knew we had to win that game to split the season series. The crowd was crazy and we were so happy to get that win.”
Geibel Catholic currently holds a one-game lead over Clairton in the section standings at 10-1. The Lady Bears lost to Serra Catholic, 50-46, on Saturday.
The Lady Gators finish section play at Serra Catholic on Feb. 6. The Lady Eagles are tied with Clairton in the section standings at 9-2.
Larkin is pleased with the position Geibel is in, but knows that being at the top means every team will be looking to knock the Lady Gators off.
“When you are on top, you can’t lose track of what you need to do, and you have to stay focused,” said Larkin.
For the love of the game: Larkin grew up playing basketball in the Albert Gallatin elementary leagues. She was pushed by her two brothers, plus her mother, Sara Larkin, was coaching.
“Both of my brothers played and they didn’t give me any breaks,” Emma Larkin said. “My mom was coaching at Albert Gallatin before taking the job at Geibel. I started at Geibel my freshman year.
“I always worked hard and pushed myself to be a better player. I definitely want to play at the next level, but at 5-4, it has always been a challenge to prove myself because height is usually what people notice in basketball.”
Record breaker: Larkin is moving up the scoring list at Geibel. She currently sits second in all-time career points behind Shelley Bortz’s record of 1,977. Larkin has (1,721) career points.
Larkin admits to thinking about the record, but she wants to help bring a team championship back to Geibel.
“I would trade in all of my points for a WPIAL title, and I am 100 percent confident about that,” Larkin said. “The scoring record has always been in the back of my head because of all the great players that have been at Geibel, and to actually pass someone like Shelley Bortz would be a surreal moment.”
Well rounded: Larkin plays volleyball in the fall and softball in the spring, while running cross country in the fall and track in the spring.
She competes in the 300 hurdles and 400 in track, where she has qualified for the state meet two years. Larkin is a three-time state qualifier in cross country.
“I don’t like running, but my family has always ran 5Ks, plus it helps me stay in shape for basketball,” Larkin said. “It is tough with track because we don’t have the facilities to practice on, so I take two hurdles that we have at Geibel, spread them out, and work on my steps. When I can get to a track facility to work on my steps, I usually head to Southmoreland.”
Larkin works on the weekends at T.J. Maxx in Uniontown, plus she has to keep up on her school work.
The question for Larkin is … how does she find the time?
“I am very busy, but I must do well in school,” Larkin said. “You just have to manage your time, plus most of my best friends play sports, so going to practice and games are really fun, and I always enjoy the time with my teammates.”