It looks like the Whitehall girls basketball team may have to reserve a room at the Heartbreak Hotel.

After grabbing the lead late in the fourth quarter on a Karly Klein layup - a perfectly designed play that sprung the junior under the basket - the Zephs looked like they were ready to walk out of enemy territory with a league victory.

However, an ensuing foul put Konkrete Kid Zenylah Sanders on the line with just three ticks on the clock, setting the stage for that room reservation.

She promptly sank both free throws, handing the Zephs a one-point loss, 48-47 to Northampton Area High School.

"Northampton was a heartbreaker, but that's the way basketball is," said head coach Dwight Repsher whose team is now 7-11.

Still, Repsher put the loss in perspective. Using the analogy of a coin flip, he said that there have been games they won at the last minute and in overtime, (East Stroudsburg South and Pleasant Valley, respectively), and games they lost under the same circumstances (Northampton and Freedom), and that over time "those things tend to even out."

"If you flip a coin enough, it comes out even," he said.

While being issued a foul with just seconds left was a hard pill to swallow, he made sure Sanders thought about those crucial foul shots before she made her attempts.

"To Sanders credit, I froze her and she made both of them," said Repsher.

Even though it was a heartbreaking loss, the bigger takeaway was how well the team played, said Repsher.

"As upset as everybody was about the loss, it was a great game," said Repsher. "We played really well."

It exemplified the strides the Zephs have made since the ball was first rolled onto the court in early December. In their initial meeting on Dec. 13, the Kids defeated the Zephs 43-24. That loss was part of their 0-6 start, but since that time, Repsher said that his team has responded, cutting down turnovers (they had just seven on Friday), making big plays, and overcoming adversity.

This game was a microcosm of their resiliency which has been a hallmark of the second half of the year. They took an early lead, vaulting out to a three-point lead at the break. However, the Kids went on a run, outscoring Whitehall by eight in the third frame, taking a 37-34 lead into the final period. That's when their resiliency started to emerge.

Repsher said that Jillian Rex made a big three to get them going, setting the stage for the eventual Klein lay-up to give them the lead. He said their ability to stay on track and not falter during adversity has been the cornerstone of their resurgence.

"It's how you play, and how you react when you're winning [the game], and how you react when you're losing [the game], and we did all that," Repsher said.

Klein led the way with 14 points. Point guard Taylor George had another solid game, distributing the ball and running the offense. She finished with 13 points. Additionally, Ashley Barber had six points, as did Ivanna Jones. Rex chipped in with five, while Kreglow had two and LeAnna Cruz had one. Repsher said everyone has improved, adjusting to their roles and making contributions.

"They're all better, right down the line," he said.

In fact, it's that steady progression that still has them in the hunt for a playoff berth. He said it's been quite a journey from where they began.

"In my mind, the progress we've made since the beginning of the season has been incredible," Repsher said.

With the weather impacting their schedule again, Repsher said they won't have time to practice for their upcoming opponent, Nazareth. Still, he's watched enough film to implement the game plan. As for their playoff aspirations, he said that if it's meant to be, it will happen.

"We work hard, and we'll get better, and when we're good enough, we'll win," he said.