Heading into the PIAA District 11 Class 6A playoffs this weekend, Northampton’s boys’ basketball team believes they are peaking at the right time with six wins in their last seven games.

The Kids certainly will have a test ahead to prove it.

Seventh-seeded Northampton (14-8) will open against second-seeded Liberty (20-5) Saturday night at Easton High School with a 6 p.m. tipoff. Liberty recently has a 15-game winning streak snapped against Allen in the East Penn Conference championship game last week.

Kids’ head coach Coy Stampone sees his club as continuing to feed off their victory over Allentown Central Catholic in their regular-season finale. They did have an impressive showing against Pocono Mountain West and Northwestern last week.

“We played six quarters each and got a good run in,” said Stampone. “We played really well and didn’t miss a beat from the Central Catholic game. We got to manage our time off, keep up the intensity, and get guys healthy while playing at a high level.

“Liberty is long, and they have some nice big guys and multiple guys who can shoot the three. We scrimmaged them early in the season so we know what they will bring. They are a solid, well-coached, athletic team.”

Stampone is confident his eight seniors can help keep the season going.

“They and everyone else want to play more games,” he added. “They feel we let a couple of games lip away this year, but they are loaded with confidence. If we win, we are guaranteed three more games and we qualify for the state playoffs.

“The practices have been great. These guys are fun to be around no matter if it is our first practice or one late in the season.”

Senior Zach Gula, who has been among the Kids’ leading scorers, doesn’t anticipate an early end to the season. Sophomore Isaiah Harris is averaging 12.8 points per game; senior Donte Rodriguez, 12.4; and Gula, 11.4.

“We have had an up and down year, but we won six of our last seven and ended with a big win over Central (Catholic),” said Gula. “We are happy with a 14-8 record because we don’t believe we played our best basketball yet.

“Liberty is going to be tough because they are a good team, but we have been working hard to prepare for them.”