Heading into this season, Morgan Heffelfinger knew he had to provide a different aspect to his game.

He returned as the leading scorer on Northampton’s boys’ basketball team and would be one of only two returning players with varsity experience. Playing in the post, the 6-foot-4 Heffelfinger is well aware of the battles ahead in the ultra-competitive Eastern Pennsylvania Conference (EPC) and looks to vary his game.

“I knew I had to add a different aspect of my game,” said the senior. “The coaches have helped me to become more than a one-trick pony down low. They really emphasized that I had to provide something different.

“They have pushed me to go outside the box and work that much harder. It’s about stepping outside and hitting some jumpers.”

Heffelfinger has done just that. With added depth on the Kids’ roster this season, he hasn’t felt obligated to carry the load down low. In their recent and initial win over Nazareth, Heffelfinger credited the play of Mike Torres, Corey Weisenberger, and Dylan Baird, who all played meaningful minutes in the post.

It has been a transformation in ways for him.

“I am stepping out and hitting the jumper,” he said. “I feel more comfortable doing that. During the summer, I worked on that aspect as well as my foul shooting. I also knew I had to work on using my left hand more.

“Teams could see that I was predominantly right-handed and soon they could shut me down. I think I have become a better player because I have been able to do those things on a consistent basis.”

As a result, Heffelfinger has been averaging a double-double in points and rebounds in the early going.

“He (Heffelfinger) has really been playing well,” said head coach Coy Stampone. “He knew what was ahead of him in the (EPC) and he worked hard during the summer. He has developed his game and can be a force this season.”

Heffelfinger believes he and his teammates can be a contender this winter in the EPC. They are well aware of a late-season collapse last year in which they fell one game shy of the district playoffs, reeling in a spin where the Kids lost seven of their final eight games.

The Kids (6-7) will look for their third straight win at Whitehall on Friday.

“We’re in a tough division and it is a tough league,” said Heffelfinger. “It felt good to get our first win of the season. If we can pick up two wins in the Salisbury tournament, we can get to .500.

“We got in a little hole starting the season at 0-3. But we have been in every game and we know we can compete with these teams.”