Northampton Edges Liberty in EPC Semifinal Showdown
By: Justin Bradley | Sportzwire | February 11, 2025 | Photo courtesy Justin Focus Photograpghy
The Northampton Konkrete Kids secured a hard-fought 49-42 victory over the Liberty Hurricanes in the semifinals of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference (EPC) Championship at the PPL Center in Allentown, PA. A strong first half and a resilient finish propelled Northampton to the EPC final, where they will face the winner of Pocono Mountain West vs. Whitehall.
First Half: Northampton Sets the Tone
Northampton went into halftime with a 21-16 lead, establishing themselves early with balanced scoring and a strong defensive effort. Noah Walakovits and Ethan Raphun were instrumental in the Konkrete Kids’ early success, providing crucial points to build the lead.
Liberty struggled to find consistent offensive rhythm in the first half, with Jarrell Teague accounting for the majority of their offense. Teague poured in 15 of Liberty’s 16 first-half points, including a three-pointer, keeping the Hurricanes within striking distance.
Second Half: Liberty Fights, Northampton Prevails
The second half saw both teams pick up the pace offensively. Northampton outscored Liberty 28-26 in the final two quarters, holding off a strong push by the Hurricanes. Noah Walakovits continued to lead Northampton with a team-high 16 points, converting key free throws and attacking the basket. Ethan Raphun added 15 points, making key plays down the stretch to help secure the win.
Jake Raysley contributed 7 points, including an impressive 7-for-8 performance from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter, helping Northampton close out the game. Brady Simock and Leo Regec each chipped in 4 points, while Korbin Sollars added 3 points, showcasing Northampton’s depth.
For Liberty, Jarrell Teague finished with a game-high 18 points but saw limited help from his teammates. Jake Pukszyn added 10 points, while Jahsi Cole chipped in 9 points with two three-pointers. Will Palmer also added 5 points, but Liberty’s comeback attempts were stifled by Northampton’s disciplined defense.
Key Player Stats:
Northampton Konkrete Kids:
• Noah Walakovits: 16 points
• Ethan Raphun: 15 points
• Jake Raysley: 7 points (7-for-8 free throws in the 4th quarter)
• Brady Simock: 4 points
• Leo Regec: 4 points
• Korbin Sollars: 3 points
Liberty Hurricanes:
• Jarrell Teague: 18 points
• Jake Pukszyn: 10 points
• Jahsi Cole: 9 points (2 three-pointers)
• Will Palmer: 5 points
Game Highlights
The pivotal moment came in the fourth quarter when Northampton capitalized on a 7-0 run, sparked by a key three-pointer from Raphun and strong finishes at the rim by Walakovits. Liberty mounted a late push behind Teague, but Northampton’s free-throw shooting and tight defense in the final minutes sealed the victory. Raysley’s clutch 7-for-8 shooting from the line in the fourth quarter played a crucial role in closing out the win.
Looking Ahead
With this victory, Northampton advances to the EPC Championship game, where they will face the winner of Pocono Mountain West vs. Whitehall. The Konkrete Kids will look to build on their balanced scoring and tough defensive play as they aim to secure the conference title.
This semifinal showcased the intensity of playoff basketball, with Northampton’s depth and resilience proving the difference in a tightly contested matchup.
