The Zephyr boys basketball team wrapped up another season, using a late-season winning streak to once again gain entry into the District 11 tourney.

They won four out of their last five games, finishing second in the North Division of the Lehigh Valley Conference with a 12-9 record. (7-6, LVC).

At one point they were 4-6, and while nobody was throwing dirt on them quite yet, it was a big hole that would require some steep climbing. It was at this time that head coach Jeff Jones did some evaluation and made a decision.

"We needed to see what direction we were going to go, and what we needed to do to get there," said Jones.

In short, they were searching for an identity.

They decided that would come on the defensive side of the ball. They would forge that identity by handcuffing their opponents through their desire and determination.

"We were going to play our match defense and get really good at it," said Jones.

It paid immediate dividends as they reeled of a number of wins, finishing the season on a 12-4 run.

"Defense was the key," Jones said.

That defensive mindset was recently underscored by their win against Nazareth Area High School on Feb. 5. They didn't allow the Blue Eagles to reach double digits in any period, earning a 54-29 win.

That was in stark contrast to their first meeting when the Blue Eagles soared to a 62-46 win.

While Jones acknowledges some of the steam may have left the Blue Eagles since their playoff hopes have faded, it still shows that the Zephs commitment to defense has been the key ingredient to their revival. They have become extremely proficient at it, and their record reflects it.

"I think our defense is so much improved," said Jones. "We're able to do so a lot more now."

While their defense was certainly the impetus, the emergence of Anthony Bellucci as an offensive force can't be overlooked. The senior guard has averaged 14.5 points in their last six games, with a number of those points coming from beyond the arc.

He has been a main staple of their offense, either draining points from the outside or opening the floor for his teammates to operate. His contribution has been a pivotal part of their success.

"His perimeter game really opens up the inside for us," said Jones. "When he scores points for us, it definitely opens things up for everybody else. He's been very good."

Jones said that Bellucci' efforts have been recognized by the league, earning him Lehigh Valley Conference Honorable Mention this year.

Another player who may not fill up a stat sheet, but who's presence and contribution is invaluable, is Nicholas Shafnisky, said Jones. He spearheads their match defense, making sure everyone is on the same page as he anchors it from the middle.

"He's the catalyst in the defense," said Jones. "It takes a lot of communication in the four spot, and he's been the one handling that. He's been a leader for us throughout the season."

Together, the two seniors have lent their drive and determination to help get the Zephs back into the playoffs.

As the season came to a close, the Zephs posted an impressive win over Pocono Mountain West High School. They defeated the reigning District 11 champs, 56-34, applying their match defense to thwart the visiting Panthers.

Jones said they knew PMW was a high-scoring team, and that simply keeping pace with them on the scoreboard wasn't going to lead to victory.

They employed a diamond press, slowing down the Panthers as they brought the ball up the court. Once in their half-court set, the Zephs frustrated the visitors with their match defense, allowing the champs just 11 points through the first two quarters.

Jones said that sometimes teams get a little rattled by their defense, which leads to some turnovers. They also benefited from good scoring performances from Bellucci who had 19 points, while Shafnisky had nine. Additionally, Chad Rex had a solid game, pouring in eight points, while Jeff Charles and Damon Meckes each added six.

It boiled down to the Zephs capitalizing on their scoring chances in securing the win.

"They had a poor shooting night, and we had a good shooting night," said Jones.

Their winning streak was interrupted by the Parkland Trojans in the final game of the season. In what Jones described as "an extremely physical game," the Trojans persevered for a 56-43 win.

The game was close through much of the contest, as the Zephs trailed by four heading into the fourth quarter. It remained that way until the 4:00 minute mark, forcing the Zephs to gamble on defense as the Trojans pulled the ball out, trying to take time off the clock.

That gamble allowed Parkland to get some layups, then converted their foul shots down the stretch to put their lead to 13 as the final buzzer sounded.

"It was much closer than the final score indicated," said Jones. "I felt we played pretty well."

In that game, Bellucci led the Zephs with 19 points, while Shafnisky had six, and Brett Radocha, Matt Melosky and Meckes each added four.

The Zephs now wait to see who their opponent will be in the opening round of the D-11 tourney which begins Feb. 20.