Emilia Coleman continues family legacy while making her own way on court at Gwynedd Mercy
Over the years, the Coleman name has become synonymous with basketball in the Bucks County area.
Bill Coleman was Pennsbury’s longtime boys basketball coach. Yolanda Fontanez Coleman was a star player at Moravian University. Their twin daughters, Sophia and Bianca Coleman, are both playing college basketball after successful careers at Gwynedd Mercy.
And the youngest, Emilia Coleman, is carrying on the family legacy while creating one of her very own.
This season, Coleman was named MVP of the Athletic Association of Catholic Academies. It’s an honor that Coleman holds alone, being the only one of the three siblings to earn the award.
And, of course, Bianca and Sophia couldn’t have been prouder of their little sister.
“My coach called Sophia to tell her I won. I think he might have told her before he told me,” said Coleman. “As a freshman, I thought of some things that I’d like to accomplish over the next four years. When Hannah (Griffin, now at Holy Cross) won MVP last year, that inspired me even more.”
As a freshman, Coleman led the Monarchs in rebounds and was third in scoring. This year, she was handed the reins, switching to point guard after Griffin’s graduation. In addition to leading the team in scoring, with 15 points per game, and assists, Coleman is averaging 20 points per game in the playoffs, helping the Monarchs win the AACA championship and finish fifth in District One Class 5A.
Finding her own way
While Coleman was born with the basketball gene, her parents encouraged her to try other sports. She ran track, played soccer, swam and took gymnastics classes. But it was basketball that truly captured her heart.
Long before she suited up for the Monarchs, Coleman was a fixture in the school gym watching her sisters play.
“Watching them win the AACA and going to district and state playoffs was so exciting, and I couldn’t wait to do it myself,” Coleman said.
While her sisters and their teammates gave Coleman a blueprint for success, she also implemented her own unique designs.
“I wanted to create my own name and not be a little sister,” Coleman said. “I feel like I’ve done that.”
Gwynedd Mercy like a Family for Coleman
The Gwynedd Mercy gym has long been like a second home for Coleman, and the Monarchs have become like a second family. While the starters range from freshmen to seniors, Coleman says the team is very close, and that bond has been crucial to this season’s success.
As the team’s point guard, Coleman is just as happy to create scoring opportunities for her teammates as she is to take the shot herself.
“I feel like I am a versatile player,” said Coleman. “I can rebound or score, but I really like having a lot of assists. There was one assist (to senior Dylan Burke) in the championship game that I immediately had to watch a replay of after the game.”
While Coleman is often the top scorer in the game, she knows that her teammates are there to take some of the pressure off.
“We all watch out for one another, and love seeing each succeed,” Coleman said. “Everyone is good at something different, and you never know who is going to have a big game on any given night.”
Off the court, Coleman is just as versatile. A self-described shopaholic, Coleman’s teammates appreciate her talent for finding great deals on shoes and clothing. She is involved in a few clubs at school, with her favorite being the Student Stewardship Program, and enjoys baking for family parties.
But after the party the basketball court beckons.
“When my sisters are home, we always play together at the gym, or one-on-one,” Coleman said. “As far as who wins, I’d say we're about even.”
For now.
Girls Basketball: Lansdale Catholic's Grace McDonough a perfect fit for Philadelphia Catholic League
Gwynedd Mercy begins the PIAA State Playoffs on Saturday
Gwynedd Mercy’s quest for a state championship starts Saturday in the first round of the PIAA Class 5A playoffs.
The Monarchs (22-5) will hit the road for a 3 p.m. game at Bethlehem Catholic.
Bethlehem Catholic (20-5) is the District 11 champion.
The two teams met last season in the second round of the state tournament, with BC winning 34-24 before losing in the quarterfinals.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: PIAA 5A Girl Basketball playoffs: Emilia Coleman leads Gwynedd Mercy
