There are zero girls AAU basketball programs on the mountain. The Valley has two. This is what our girls are up against.
On the mountain, that 49% average is spread across every school. There is no wealthy neighboring district to absorb the cost or subsidize programs. In the Valley, high-poverty districts like Allentown (91%) sit next to affluent ones like Parkland (23%) — and all of them are within 20 minutes of multiple AAU programs, YMCAs, and training facilities.
Pocono Mountain School District has committed nearly $4.9 million to gym and athletic facility upgrades in recent years. East High School received a $1.49 million gymnasium renovation, and West High School opened a brand-new $3.38 million Wellness Center — a 12,900 square-foot facility with a full basketball court, volleyball markings, concessions area, and athletic trainer's suite.
These investments show the district values athletics. But a renovated gym without year-round programming is just a building. Without structured off-season development, competitive leagues, and accessible pathways, the mountain's girls still have nowhere to grow as basketball players — no matter how new the floor is.
Valley teams are 44-1 against the mountain this season, outscoring mountain schools 2,732 to 915 — an average margin of 61-20. The only mountain win: PM East over William Allen, 47-42.
| Valley Team | Record vs Mountain | Points For-Against | Avg Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parkland | 4-0 | 220-37 | 55-9 |
| Emmaus | 4-0 | 277-54 | 69-14 |
| Easton | 3-0 | 251-49 | 84-16 |
| Dieruff | 5-0 | 295-98 | 59-20 |
| Liberty | 4-0 | 269-67 | 67-17 |
| Nazareth | 4-0 | 272-69 | 68-17 |
| Whitehall | 4-0 | 203-96 | 51-24 |
| Northampton | 4-0 | 202-119 | 51-30 |
| Freedom | 4-0 | 236-94 | 59-24 |
| Bethlehem Catholic | 3-0 | 176-51 | 59-17 |
| William Allen | 2-1 | 144-96 | 48-32 |
| AL Central Catholic | 3-0 | 187-85 | 62-28 |
| TOTAL | 44-1 | 2,732-915 | 61-20 |
| Mountain Team | Valley Opponent | Score (Mtn-Val) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| ES South | Parkland | 6-57 | L |
| ES South | Emmaus | 19-62 | L |
| ES South | Dieruff | 30-60 | L |
| ES South | Liberty | 22-60 | L |
| ES South | Nazareth | 19-80 | L |
| ES South | Whitehall | 35-52 | L |
| ES South | Northampton | 36-50 | L |
| ES South | Beth Cath | 14-30 | L |
| ES South | AL Cent Cath | 32-65 | L |
| PM West | Parkland | 12-60 | L |
| PM West | Dieruff | 15-57 | L |
| PM West | Liberty | 31-68 | L |
| PM West | Nazareth | 25-65 | L |
| PM West | Freedom | 29-56 | L |
| PM West | Beth Cath | 17-67 | L |
| PM West | AL Cent Cath | 29-60 | L |
| ES North | Emmaus | 18-74 | L |
| ES North | Easton | 11-100 | L |
| ES North | Dieruff | 31-73 | L |
| ES North | Whitehall | 8-54 | L |
| ES North | Northampton | 19-61 | L |
| ES North | Freedom | 25-67 | L |
| ES North | Wm Allen | 28-51 | L |
| PM East | Emmaus | 13-60 | L |
| PM East | Easton | 27-78 | L |
| PM East | Dieruff | 9-52 | L |
| PM East | Nazareth | 18-106 | L |
| PM East | Whitehall | 14-48 | L |
| PM East | Northampton | 31-46 | L |
| PM East | Freedom | 18-60 | L |
| PM East | Wm Allen | 47-42 | W |
| Pleasant Valley | Parkland | 13-48 | L |
| Pleasant Valley | Dieruff | 13-53 | L |
| Pleasant Valley | Liberty | 14-71 | L |
| Pleasant Valley | Nazareth | 7-61 | L |
| Pleasant Valley | Beth Cath | 20-59 | L |
| Pleasant Valley | AL Cent Cath | 24-62 | L |
| Stroudsburg | Parkland | 6-56 | L |
| Stroudsburg | Emmaus | 4-81 | L |
| Stroudsburg | Easton | 11-73 | L |
| Stroudsburg | Liberty | 24-70 | L |
| Stroudsburg | Whitehall | 39-49 | L |
| Stroudsburg | Northampton | 33-45 | L |
| Stroudsburg | Freedom | 22-53 | L |
| Stroudsburg | Wm Allen | 29-51 | L |
| Mountain Schools | Lehigh Valley | |
|---|---|---|
| Schools | 6 | 12 |
| Total Enrollment | 7,460 | 23,604 |
| Avg Econ. Disadvantaged | 49% | 46% |
| Girls AAU Programs | 0 | 2 |
| YMCA Locations | 1 | 2+ |
| Facilities / 100 sq mi | 1.6 | 4.1 |
| Drive to Girls Development | 45-60 min | 10-20 min |
| AAU Cost as % of Median Income | 2.4-9.1% | 1.5-5.4% |