缅北禁地

Aug 23, 2025 By Jonathan Guth 4 min read

Emma Larkin is heading down south.

The Geibel Catholic senior announced her decision on social media Wednesday that she will continue her academic and basketball careers at Belmont Abbey College.

The school is a private Catholic liberal arts college in Belmont, N.C., a small city located 12 miles west of Charlotte.

The Crusaders compete in Division II of the NCAA and won the Conference Carolinas Tournament last season to qualify for the NCAA Tournament. Belmont lost to No. 2 seed Coker in the first round of the tournament to finish its season at 25-6 under head coach Kim Lusk.

Larkin’s play in an AAU tournament caught the attention of Lusk, who began to recruit the 5-foot-5 point guard, who can also play shooting guard and small forward.

“It was such an awesome feeling to know that a coach wanted me to come play for her team, and she actually approached me,” Larkin said. “After that, I dove deeper into the school (Belmont Abbey) to see what they offered in academics because that is a priority for me. They had what I was looking for in that regard.

“I went down to Belmont Abbey for their elite camp and I fell in love with the campus. I have been at Geibel my entire high school career, and I am used to a smaller environment, which is what Belmont Abbey has. Eighty percent of the campus is athletes, and that was really important to me. I fell in love with the school.”

Larkin has taken multiple courses that provide college credit at Geibel, and is eager to use those at Belmont Abbey. Larkin plans on majoring in biology with a minor in chemistry. She has aspirations to attend medical school.

Larkin has played at every position other than power forward and center during her career in high school and AAU. That trend should continue at Belmont Abbey.

Larkin’s conditioning and speed have provided her with an advantage, especially when the Lady Gators are in the fourth quarter of a close game, and her success in cross country (three-time qualifier) and track & field (state medalist in 300 hurdles and 400-meter dash) were noted by her future college coach.

“Coach (Lusk) saw that I also participated in cross country and track, and she recognized that, which is something I love about her,” Larkin said. “I have had people say that the toughest thing about guarding me is my speed.”

Larkin has been working on her mid-range jumpers and shots from behind-the-arc. She describes those aspects of the game as her biggest challenges for improvement.

“I have gotten stronger and more mature over the years, and I have progressed every year of high school when it comes to my mid-range game and 3s,” Larkin said. “I am coming along with it, but I am still not where I want to be.”

While Larkin is in the midst of the cross country and golf seasons, she never takes time off for basketball, as she approaches Shelley Bortz’s all-time scoring record at Geibel of 1,977 career points. Larkin is 68 points away from tying Bortz’s record.

Larkin says having her college decision made will take the pressure off and she can focus on a strong senior season, as the Lady Gators look to improve on last year’s finish of qualifying for the semifinals of the WPIAL Class A playoffs.

Larkin is also playing golf for the first time, as Geibel has a girls team under the direction of Lauren Clemmer.

“Golf is definitely night and day from basketball when you compare the two sports,” Larkin said. “I really enjoy it, plus I get to play with my basketball teammates Mallory Clemmer and Janiah Darnell.”