Being the returning leading scorer on her team, Northampton’s Annie Beenders understood that her team’s maturation would take some time.

The team lost 1,000-point scorer and East Penn Conference (EPC) MVP Grace Lesko along with several integral players form the past two years.

It would be a rebuild, and despite that, Beenders has been comfortable taking the lead, averaging a team-high 10 points per contest.

Heading into this week, the Konkrete Kids have an overall 3-11 record, and had lost seven of their last eight games.

“I do feel comfortable in a leadership role,” said Beenders. “The team’s play is different from last year since all of these girls did not get to see as much time. But I am proud of them because they have stepped up and showed their strengths in different ways.

“The team chemistry has developed throughout the past month-and-half. I have seen my teammates grow and become stronger on the court. In certain games, you can tell we play more like a family because our energy and heart are in the game.”

Head coach Jeff Jacksits has watched Beenders blossom into a presence.

“Annie Beenders has been a force especially on defense,” emphasized Jacksits. “Her quickness and length have enabled her to become very disruptive, causing other teams to commit turnovers.”

Beenders, who began playing competitive basketball in eighth grade, credited her parents, Jim and Ginger, for their motivation and support. Beenders has developed a sense of comfort, which has helped her develop her overall game.

“There may be some pressures, but my confidence has increased in the past year,” she said. “That has helped my play. My shooting ability has definitely improved as well as my ability to see the court.”

Jacksits has appreciated the inspired play of his junior, and he has witnessed growth on the team. The Kids have home games against Dieruff and Allen this week.

“We have been playing competitive basketball, but we have been coming up a little bit short,” said Jacksits. “The girls continue to work hard and play with good intensity but we need to do a better job limiting our turnovers.

“We were able to win recently at East Stroudsburg South, but we gave one away against Bangor. We are still working on being connected with each other, especially on the offensive end.

“Hopefully we can put a full game together and win some of our next games.”