With his inaugural season behind him, Northampton head boys' basketball coach Coy Stampone admittedly feels more comfortable about his and his team's journey into the 2013-14 campaign this winter.

The Konkrete Kids will return a core of upperclassmen who saw playing time last season and most of them will fit tightly into their starting lineup as well as a budding group of underclassmen who could see significant playing time throughout the year.

More than 45 players tried out for the varsity program this winter and overall numbers topped more than 60 possible candidates on the middle school level. Apparently, there is little apprehension about last year's varsity squad that produced a 3-21 overall record.

As a result, Stampone stands firmly optimistic his club can be competitive on a nightly basis in the ultra-challenging Lehigh Valley Conference.

"I feel good about this season because I have had a full year here to work with everything," stated Stampone, who was hired in the early summer of 2013. "We were able to set up a program that began in the spring and carried through to the fall.

"We were able to have a strength and conditioning program and we had a good summer. We did lose some people from last season, but we have a group that really works hard and has a good chemistry among them."

Stampone will look to seniors Dylan Cook (6-foot), Piefka Stonewall (6-6), and Ryan Hudock (6-2) all of whom logged major minutes last season to help set the tone for the remainder of the squad in the early going.

"All of them should be major contributors," stressed Stampone. "They all worked hard and have taken a leadership role. They know our system and can help everyone else make the adjustments."

Last season, Stampone realized how his club gradually responded to a new system in place, one that appeared to be secure late in the season. This summer, Stampone tweaked his system to be more compatible with his personnel as he will continue to hone an eight-player rotation.

Among those who should see regular playing time are junior point guard Basem Azar and forwards A.Q. McNeill (6-4), Garrett Oplinger (6-5). Sophomore guard Noah Rindock, who grew in the Kids' JV program last winter, should also be a regular in the rotation.

Stampone noted he could also look to incorporate a large lineup on the floor of Stonewall, McNeill and Oplinger. He noted how last year's starting center and recent graduate Derek Hall struggled with injures, and, as a result, limited the Kids' inside game.

"We can probably have a few different lineups out there," said Stampone. "We can go big or small. We have had guys competing for playing time and that will be healthy."

The Kids will receive a quick gauge on their possible level of success when they open with Pleasant Valley Friday and then face Allen in the Yasso-Rothrock Classic at Freedom.