The Northampton girls got their first basketball win in the new EPC and then lost to Skyline Division foe Parkland.

Coach Jeff Jacksits' Kids beat East Stroudsburg South 34-17 Wednesday to end a four-game losing spell at the start of the season. But, two nights later the Kids lost 51-37 to Parkland and Jacksits wasn't all that upset.

"Our defense - although losing to Parkland - has been good, but our offense sputters. We can't put four good quarters together. We trailed Parkland by only three (28-25) at halftime, but a slow third quarter put us into a fouling situation in our effort to catch up and the Trojans wound up with a 14-of-18 night at the foul line," said the coach.

Northampton (1-3 in the EPC and 1-5 overall) was led by sophomore Aja Blount's 17 points.

"But, we need help on the offensive end. Blount gets her points even though the other teams collapse around her," Jacksits adds. "Giovanna (Martinez) and Sophia (Eckroth) are doing share, but we need more three-point shooting,"

Against ES South Blount scored 12 and Martinez added 11 as the Kids outscored the Cavaliers 22-7 in the second half.

"We're getting a great effort on defense and hopefully our defense will start creating a better offensive presence," Jacksits concluded.

Northampton began its final weeks of the year last night at home with Emmaus and Jacksits was looking for, "a very competitive game."

Following the Emmaus contest the Kids will travel to State College next Monday and Tuesday where they will face District 7's Burrell in the first game of the Kiwanis Holiday Tournament. District 11's North Schuylkill faces State College (District 6) in second game Monday with the consolation and championship games on Tuesday.

NHS returns to EPC action Jan. 2 when it visits Whitehall. Then the first full week in January the Kids will be at home Tuesday with Freedom before visiting Dieruff on Jan. 4.