Jim Best’s level of excitement after Emmaus’ season-opening win over four-time defending PIAA Class 3A team tournament champion Bethlehem Catholic on Dec. 3 was the same as it was two hours earlier.

It was the first time in 20 years that the Green Hornets knocked off the perennial powerhouse Golden Hawks, but Best’s mindset never wavered from the ultimate goal of progression, of being better on March 3 than Dec. 3.

His business-like approach fed down through the coaching staff and wrestlers during the season.

Emmaus was better throughout the 2025-26 season and postseason than it has been in years. It was 15-2, its best record in a non-COVID year in decades.

Its seventh-place finish at districts was its best in four years. Its sixth-place finish at regionals matched last season’s as one of its best ever. Its 21st-place finish at states was its best since 2005.

For that, Best is The Morning Call All-Area Class 3A coach of the year.

Best is 48-20 in his four seasons in charge of the Green Hornets, who have shown growth in each year of his tenure.

Emmaus had a stellar December. After beating Bethlehem Catholic, it won the Tom Best Memorial Top Hat tournament at Williamsport with 10 medalists, including champions Emilio Albanese and Cam Martinez.

It swept the Blue Raider Duals at Tamaqua and won its four other EPC dual meets before finishing second to Nazareth at the Bethlehem Holiday Wrestling Classic. Teagan Caciolo won an individual crown at 121 while Albanese and Xyler Sallit were runners-up.

Emmaus’ only regular-season hiccup was a 29-25 loss at Nazareth in early January in a match that came down to the last bout.

“We were one match away from winning that dual meet,” Best said. “And not just the heavyweight match. Just somewhere in our lineup.

“We didn’t dwell on that, though. Just be prepared for the next match, the next opponent.”

The Green Hornets had three medalist, including runner-up Albanese, at the Mid-Winter Mayhem tournament at Indiana University of Pennsylvania before winning their final five dual meets of the regular season.

“We’ve preached consistency,” Best said, “Every time you step on the mat, be consistent and be competitive. That’s what we’ve seen as coaches.

“Our teams captains [Albanese, Caciolo, Xayden Sallit and Jackson Max], they matured with their leadership skills throughout the season to the point where I can step in and say, ‘Hey, guys. Take this over in part of a practice or in a warm-up before a match,’ and they’re leading the way I would lead them.”

Best had a full lineup of quality competitors at every weight. That balance allowed Emmaus to do well against everyone on its schedule. Every starter had at least 17 victories except at 107.

The Green Hornets did not have a replacement when they lost unbeaten 107-pounder Martinez (11-0) to a medical problem in December.

That combined with Emmaus’ lineup being crammed in the lower weights with Levi Max and Talan Springer locked in at 114 with state medalists Caciolo and Albanese at 121 and 127, respectively, was part of the reason Emmaus was upset by Whitehall in the District 11 Class 3A quarterfinals.

But this was no typical year in District 11. There were at least 10 quality teams in Class 3A, including the Zephyrs.

Emmaus rebounded with a solid individual postseason that included its first two-time Northeast Regional champion (Albanese). He also gave the Green Hornets their first back-to-back years with at least one regional gold medalist. They have never had a three-time regional champion.

Albanese (119) also is on pace to become the program’s career wins leader. Bryan Reiss (138 in 2002-05) is the current record holder. Caciolo (100), who was eighth at states at 121, has a chance to finish his career second behind Albanese.

Albanese, who has finished fourth, third and second, has a chance to become Emmaus’ first four-time state medalist.

Emmaus returns eight starters for 2026-27, including Chase DeCesare, a second-year wrestler who had a key victory in the season opener against Bethlehem Catholic.

If the Green Hornets can spread out its lineup at the lower weights, they certainly should be in the mix again during the team and individual postseasons.

“Win or lose,” Best said after the Bethlehem Catholic match, “we competed hard. That’s the type of mentality we want to keep going with this program.”

Emmaus showed that throughout the 2025-26 season, even in defeat. That will make the talented Green Hornets a tough out moving forward.

Senior writer Tom Housenick can be reached at thousenick@mcall.com