With both teams all but mathematically eliminated from postseason play, the Northampton and Whitehall girls basketball teams squared off Saturday afternoon to play for pride and the Cement Belt point that comes with each win in the schools’ season long rivalry contest.

It has been a number of years since the Zephyrs have been able to claim victory over the K-Kids in girls hoops. Whitehall played well early, but Northampton finished strong to win the contest 46-29.

In the first quarter, it looked like the Kids were suffering an athletic hangover from their heartbreaking 52-49 last-second loss to Liberty the night before. They committed 7 turnovers and made only 3 of 9 shots from the floor.

Meanwhile, the Zephyrs were 5 of 9 shooting from the field and made both of their free throws to post a 12-7 lead after the first 8 minutes.

All Whitehall’s shots in the first quarter were two-pointers. From that juncture forward, the majority of their shots came from behind the arc and they suffered for it. The Zephyrs were 1 of 5 from three and 1 of 4 in the second quarter.

Northampton played a bit better, scoring 10 points in the frame to cut the deficit to 18-17 at the intermission.

The second half was all K-Kids. Sophomore Laila Reichl, coming off a 20-point effort at Liberty, scored 13 of her game high 19 points over the final two periods to turn the nail-biter into a blowout.

Whitehall could not buy a bucket as they shot 1 of 14 from three-point range and were only 3 of 11 inside the arc over the game’s final 16 minutes.

Head coach Jeff Jacksits summed up the win, “We were taller at every position and we got to a lot of rebounds. Unlike last night, we shot free throws well (12 of 14). If we had shot like that against Liberty (7 of 17), we would have won.”

The season for both teams will wrap up on Monday, barring any more postponements due to weather.

Northampton is 6-12 overall, 3-10 in the EPC. They have four games in five days to close out the schedule: Nazareth, Bethlehem Catholic, Palmerton, and Freedom.

Whitehall is 6-13 and 4-10 in conference play. Their remaining game are against Allen, Central, and Emmaus.

NHS 7 10 12 17 - 46

WHS 12 6 5 6 - 29

Northampton scoring: Laila Reichl 19, Isabella Pecuch 12, Abbie Luipersbeck 6, Emilia Hirshman 5, Lily Vitushinsky 2, Rosalie Echevarria 2

Whitehall scoring: Jaylene Wilson 8, Abigail Kneller 6, Llyneida Otanez 5, Edrien Lee 5, Jade Snyder 4, Mariyah Floran 1