Northampton head coach Coy Stampone and his players needed last Sunday as the traditional day of rest.

That was after last Saturday’s momentous finish, another one in a string for the Konkrete Kids on their fate-filled ride this season.

The third-seeded Kids advanced to Wednesday night’s District 11 Class 6A semifinals against top-seeded Pocono Mountain West in Easton. The Panthers avoided elimination with a tight 55-54 win over seventh-seeded Liberty. Win or lose, the Kids will move on, as there will be a consolation game in the bracket with the winner advancing to states.

In their 49-47 win over Allen, senior Cooper King stole the ball at halfcourt and made a layup for the winning bucket just before the buzzer. It was the fourth buzzer-beater victory for the Kids this season, as they easily can be labeled as the “Kardiac Kids.”

Northampton also advanced to the district semifinals for the fourth time in the last years and they hoped to make it to their third final in the time span. The Kids were last in the district title game in 2020 when they dropped a 58-48 decision to Freedom.

“It’s been crazy,” said veteran head coach Coy Stampone. “The kids have really paid their tails off this year. “It just has been an incredible ride this year.”

Aside from leading scorers senior guard Issac Harris and junior center Lucas Lesko, Stampone has understood the importance of his rotation as well as the other supporting cast.

“A big play for us has been guys like Cooper, Caden Reph and Tristan Pinnock. They really have played key roles for us. Caden had eight points in the first half against Allen and that was huge.

“All three of them were football players, and it does take time to get their basketball legs. It’s a big part of the reason why we start slow every year. They really have all grown over the years.”

Reph, who was a standout in football, has watched his fortunes grow throughout the fall and winter.

“Between basketball and coming off a great football season, we all have had some of those moments when we were down and came back,” he said. “We have learned to stay calm and not press. That’s when bad things start to happen.

“Many of us on this basketball team have been playing together for so long that we believe in each other. You just never know when someone is needed to step up and make a play. You just have to be ready because your time can be the next play.”

Aside from King, Reph and Pinnock, Stampone has been grateful for the contributions from his remaining bench.

“We didn’t play for two weeks, and all we did was practice,” said Stampone. “We had the scrimmage, and that helped keep us focused.

“The guys who didn’t get the minutes really pushed us. We had some of the JV guys suit up because they were a big part of how we go this far.”

Whatever the final outcome, Stampone has appreciated the ride.

“We’ll see what happens,” he said. “In this bracket, all eight teams can knock off the other. Pocono Mountain West is a tough opponent. We’re looking forward to seeing what we can do.”