Despite leading 17-9 heading into halftime of Tuesday's game against Northampton, the news wasn't all good for the Parkland boys basketball team.

The teams were tied 2-2 after the first quarter of play and the Trojans had hit just seven of their first 25 shots.

But if there was any reason for concern, that was quickly dismissed in the third quarter.

The Trojans outscored the Konkrete Kids 21-2 during that third quarter stretch, building their lead to as much as 27 at one point, and secured the 46-29 win for their second straight conference victory.

"[Head coach Andy Stephens] was mad that we weren't playing hard on defense, and obviously those two points in the first quarter wasn't very good," said Justin Zajko. "But he basically just said the seniors got to step up."

What was said at halftime evidently hit the Trojans hard, in particular Zajko, who had a big part in that third quarter spurt. Looking to make a few needed plays for his team, Zajko put in nine of his team-high 13 points in that third quarter.

As a team, the Trojans hit six of their nine fields goals in the third, and held the Konkrete Kids without a field goal in eight attempts.

"I think defensively we played a lot better," said Zajko. "It got us back into the flow, [and] we got some steals and some wide open layups."

Heading back to second quarter action, Zajko scored eight straight points, including the first four of the third quarter that all but separated the Trojans.

Up 13-9, Zajko first connected on a tip in to put the Trojans up by six. He followed that up with another bucket in the paint before halftime that made in 17-9. After two free throws and a driving layup that made in 21-9 early in the second half, the Konkrete Kids never got to within single digits again.

"I think we came out better in the third quarter and obviously we scored a lot more," said Zajko. "Guys obviously stepped up and got it done."

Austin Beidelman kept the Trojans in the game in the first half, scoring 12 of the team's 17 points at the break. He had 10 of those in the second quarter and hit 5-of-9 field goals on the night.

The Trojans will next face Allen on Thursday, a makeup game from late January, before a division matchup against Whitehall on Friday. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. at Whitehall High School.