Last Friday in the opening round of the East Penn Conference girls tournament, Northampton dug a hole it wasn’t quite able to get out of, despite an impressive second half effort against Nazareth.

The girls trailed 12-8 after one quarter, 20-8 at one point in the second, and then 24-15 at the half. They cut the deficit to six after three quarters before eventually falling 44-42 to the Eagles - a team they were facing for a third time this season and could very well see again.

“I told the girls to remember this game and use it as motivation for the next time we might play them, which would be the district semifinals as the standings are right now,” head coach Jeff Jacksits said.

Despite the loss and some time off before the start of districts, Jacksits and his team see some positives.

“The positives are that the team never gave up and we kept fighting back,” Jacksits said. “We feel we can play with anyone, it’s just a matter of putting that complete game together.”

Recently-named EPC Most Valuable Player, Aja Blount, echoed those thoughts.

“Yes, it was a tough loss, but the positives we can take from that are the mistakes that we made that we now know not to make if we see them again in the playoffs,” Blount said. “And the good things we did that we should continue to do throughout our district games.”

The girls have nearly two weeks off before they expect to play again in the district tournament.

“In that time we will fine-tune some things as well as add a few new wrinkles,” Jacksits said. “We’ll also look to have a scrimmage during this time, don’t know with who yet.

“This team has a lot of talent and if we can put together some complete games we feel we can make a run at a district championship.”

Blount also sees the time off as something the team can use to its advantage.

“We will be having a lot of practice, but I do believe the time off be an advantage because we will have the time to work and focus on all of our weaknesses and start to perfect them,” she said.

With Blount now in her senior season, the goal for her is to extend this ride as long as possible.

“Since it is my senior year it is so important to me that we go far throughout districts because I want to keep playing for as long as possible, and I do not want my high school career to end,” Blount said. “With this being said, I will be playing to my full potential and playing and working hard the rest of the season.”

Jacksits pointed out that Brielle Rigo was a standout against the Eagles. Rigo was an impressive 5-for-7 from three point range.

“It’s not her usual shot, but it was a pleasant surprise,” Jacksits said.

Jacksits also added that along with Blount being named the league MVP, sophomore Victoria Keenan was named to the EPC second team.

When districts start, one bit of good news is Bethlehem Catholic won’t be in their bracket, however teams like Easton, Parkland and Nazareth remain in the mix. The girls have lost twice to Parkland and are 1-2 against Nazareth, while not having played Easton to this point in the season.

“The competition is going to be tough but I think we can push out the wins with most of these teams,” Blount said. “We are going to take one game at a time and play our hardest to keep going and lasting through districts.”