Last season, Northampton’s girls’ basketball team had a magical 23-7 run to the second-round of the PIAA state playoffs, where they lost to eventual state champion and undefeated Plymouth-Whitemarsh.

Head coach Jeff Jacksits picked up his 300th career win in the process, and seniors Devyn Demchak, Taylor Kranzley, and Kylie Gilliard all played a major role in the program since they were freshman.

So, what can the Konkrete Kids do for an encore with two starters back for the 2022-23 campaign?

They started by capturing their seventh straight title at the Owen J. Roberts tournament, winning both games. Senior center Grace Lesko was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, as he scored 50 points in two games (28, 22). Fellow senior Nicole Yellen was also named to the All-Tournament Team.

“It was a good start for us,” said Jacksits. “We played Coatesville in the opener, and we didn’t know they had a new coach and some new players. They pressured us and were pretty intense, and that was good for us.

“We got Owen J. Roberts in the championship, and they always are a team that bumps us a lot. We expected them to be physical, and both games were a good test for us.”

Losing three starters, the attention will surely be heightened around Lesko, who has developed into one of the top players in the East Penn Conference (EPC) and the area. After the tournament, Lesko had 943 career points.

“Nicole has played well,” added Jacksits. “She will have to realize that she’ll play most of the game because we’re not sure who can back her up at this point. She certainly has the potential to do it.”

Along with Lesko and Yellen, the kids opened the season with other senior starters Kaylee Christman, Maddie Hurst, and Kaddie Schrader.

Senior Sophie Steirer and sophomore Annie Beenders are currently the top players off the bench.

Jacksits is confident a new unit can jell in time.

“We have three new players in the lineup,” noted Jacksits. “We have a good number of seniors, but a lot without experience.

“We have some sophomores who can hopefully get some time for us this season.”

Jacksits knew he would get a good read on his team Tuesday when they met Parkland to begin league play (see story on page A10). They will follow with Liberty Friday.

“Parkland will be a challenge for us because they are one of the better teams,” said Jacksits. “They have all the pieces.

“Liberty is a better team and they beat Southern Lehigh pretty handily, even though they (Southern Lehigh) are rebuilding.

“We’ll see where we are.”