The data below isn't just about basketball — it's evidence of isolation and limited opportunity. When kids grow up without access to development, mentorship, and information, the mountain becomes the whole world. It shouldn't be.
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 | 18-66 | 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% |