Through his team’s first two games, Northampton head boys’ basketball coach Coy Stampone certainly doesn’t want to readily accept any moral victories.

However, Stampone realizes his team will need to mature regardless of the outcome. The Konkrete Kids suffered a 71-44 defeat to East Stroudsburg North, and then they lost a tight-knit 54-48 decision to Emmaus.

“I don’t like to talk about moral victories, but I feel good with the ways things went for us the first two games,” said Stampone, who is in his fifth season with the Kids. “We have a number of players who don’t have a lot of varsity experience. We’re going to grow up during the season. But we have played hard.

“East Stroudsburg North caught us and they had played two games before. They kept pressing us and we had over 20 turnovers. We were down by two points with just over two minutes to go against Emmaus.”

Stampone noted his team must adapt to the speed and athleticism of their opponents in the East Penn Conference.

“The speed of the game was up a notch in our first two games,” added Stampone. “We right now don’t have the same type of athleticism as the other teams. The first two teams we played are very quick and likely able to practice at that level.

“It is a big step up from JV to varsity and we will grow to that level.”

Stampone credited the play of senior post player Morgan Heffelfinger, who recorded a double-double in points and rebounds in each of the Kids’ first two games.

Heffelfinger had 16 in the opener and followed with 19 in the second game, while junior guard Aidan Ellwood added 12 points in each game. Both figure to be offensive forces on a regular basis throughout the season.

“Morgan has really played well so far,” said Stampone. “He has done a great job for us scoring down low as well as on the boards. Aidan also is off to a good start and he will be a regular contributor for us.”

The Kids began this week with a game against Allentown Central Catholic Tuesday and then Nazareth Thursday.

They also will need to reschedule a game against Lehighton that was postponed last Saturday.

They will play in the Salisbury Tournament Dec. 28. But Stampone is optimistic his club can continue to grow. Most of his players have been with him since junior high.

“We know there are no easy games,” said Stampone. “We hope we can make up the Lehighton game soon before the schedule gets too busy.

“We would like some wins right now, but we like where we are. We have a good chemistry with this team. They have been playing together for a while and they know me. We’ll have to keep working, but I believe it will be a fun year.”