As the Whitehall girls basketball season unfolded, head coach Rick Worman said his team had a difficult time taking advantage of their opportunities to win games down the stretch.

Now that the season is over, that inability to "get over the hump" kind of summed up the year for the Zephyrs. They finished the year at 4-18.

While they stayed competitive in most of those games, they just couldn't get that deciding shot, or that crucial turnover that may have changed their fortunes.

Worman said that part of that was due to a tough early schedule that had their young team playing veteran squads with playoff experience. Since they were also in a tough division of the Lehigh Valley Conference, with three of those teams making the district playoffs this year, it got them in a hole early, perhaps draining some confidence.

"It was a rough start," said Worman. "I think if we could have gotten a few more wins, our confidence could have been boosted."

The Zephs demonstrated they could win tough games, defeating both Northampton Area and Pine Grove High Schools, and sticking right with Parkland and Pocono Mountain East High Schools to close out the season.

Worman said they played better as the season progressed, with the players valiantly fighting every time they stepped on the court.

"The kids never gave up," said Worman.

Leaving the program will be Nicole Umbenhauer who led the team in scoring with 9.5 points per game. The senior also averaged 6.5 rebounds, and was named to the Lehigh Valley conference All-Star team. Additionally, she earned a spot on the Via All-Star Basketball Classic roster.

The Zephs will also lose Madison Kelly. Kelly was second in scoring, averaging 8 points per game. She also had two steals per game, and was also named to the Via All-Star Basketball Classic.

Other seniors departing the program include Kelly Erie, Brook Mellinger, Kayla Cunningham and Brianna Walker, all of whom added depth, leadership and experience to the maroon and gold.

The team will now look to next season as they return a number of players who earned significant minutes this season. Worman said that the priority will be finding some scoring among those players returning, noting that their field goal percentage was 28-percent last season, a figure that needs to rise if they want to return to the playoffs.

While they lose their top two scorers, the need to find players who can consistently put the ball in the basket gets magnified. However, they do return a number of players who could fill that need.

That pack is led by guard Taylor George who averaged 7.4 points last season. She also ran the team from the point, gaining valuable experience as a freshman. They also return Karly Klein who was fourth on the team in scoring, as well as Ivanna Jones who emerged as a solid offensive option.

Jillian Kreglow also asserted herself, earning a starter's role as the season wore on. Worman said she played in almost every game this season, and should be someone who can help them boost their field goal percentage. Additionally, Sarah Schannauer, Kelly Spanitz, Jill Rex and LeAnna Cruz should bring depth and varsity experience to the lineup.

Worman said that playing so many underclassmen this year should yield some positive results next season, indicating that a large percentage of those earning playing time were freshmen and sophomores.

"It's definitely a valuable thing," said Worman. "It should bode well for next season."

He said their youth should be an asset since they are a "good group of kids who are willing to get better." He's excited about their prospects and looks forward to the offseason where they'll once again compete in a tough Allentown summer league. And for them to reverse their fortunes for next year, they'll have to make a commitment to get better and improve their skills, something he's hopeful will happen.