Aja Blount and Victoria Keenan both not only provide Northampton’s girls’ basketball program with a positive present, but they also will be key players in the Konkrete Kids’ future.

However, it shouldn’t come as a surprise. Over the years, both girls’ families have been close and they have played together on several occasions.

This past season, Blount and Keenan were among a large group of underclassmen who helped shape the Kids’ overall 18-10 record this past season.

Northampton began the season with a core of returning players as well as some promising underclassmen off a team that posted an overall 7-15 mark and a 6-10 slate in the East Penn Conference (EPC).

Head coach Jeff Jacksits expected a slow progression, but he envisioned a heightened pace along the way. Fortunately, the Kids followed suit.

They won their first four games and a combination of Keenan out front and Blount down low developed into an effective combination as the duo combined to average more than 32 points per contest.

As a freshman point guard, Keenan didn’t take long to adjust to the big stage. Keenan, who averaged nearly 15 points per game, credited her success to her teammates.

“We are a team that really works well together,” said Keenan. “We pick up each other and we are always there for each other.

“I was a little nervous at the start of the season, but I soon got used to everything. I just went out there and played like I always do. I had to get used to the speed and the physical nature of the game. It is different at this level.

“But Aja (Blount) and the rest of the girls made it easy. We know each other for a while and that helped.”

Keenan also didn’t mind taking charge on the floor. As a freshman, Keenan isn’t short on confidence at the position she basically has been playing since she was four.

“I want to be the point guard and the leader out there,” she said. “I know that I have to pick the team up at certain times. I’m not afraid to do that.”

Jacksits knows his point guard is ahead of schedule.

“Her ball handling skills are second to none,” he said. “Her ability to shoot the three or drive to the basket made her one of the toughest players to guard one on one. She was selected to second team all-league as a freshman.

“As the season progressed, she was able to learn more about game management and will hopefully carry that knowledge into the future. As her maturity grows with age and experience, we expect her team leadership to develop as well.”

Blount returned to the team after playing with Central Catholic during the summer. A junior, Blount averaged just over 22 points per contest and also surpassed the 1,000-point career mark this past season. She also emerged as her team’s leader.

“We really had an exciting season and it was a great feeling getting passed 1,000 points,” said Blount. “We are basically a young team that really grew this season. We really jelled as a team and grew in many ways. We struggled at times, but we gained more confidence along the way.

Blount also wasn’t shocked with Keenan’s performance.

“Victoria (Keenan) really helped us. She ran the point well and she didn’t hesitate to shoot. She didn’t surprise me because I know what she can do and I know her for a long time. I knew she would be good and help us win.”

Jacksits expects a continued rise for Blount.

“Her tenacity for getting rebounds and her ability to score made her the most dominant inside player in the area,” said Jacksits. “As the season went on she became a team leader on the court and in the locker room. She was able to score her 1,000th point this year and make first team all-league as a junior. We are looking forward to her leading our team further into the playoffs next year.”

With Keenan and Blount returning as well as others like sophomore Jade Rindock and freshman Jenna Rodgers, time certainly will be on the Kids’ side.