After coming off a district appearance last season, the Whitehall girls basketball team returns a veteran lineup that may see them advance even further into the postseason.

The bedrock of this team will be seniors Taylor George, Ivanna Jones, Jillian Kreglow and Jill Rex, four returning starters from a team that went 11-12 last year and made the playoffs.

Add to that a productive summer in which they made the finals of the Stellar “Catch A Rising Star Tournament” and the signs point to a promising year.

However, head coach Dwight Repsher cautioned about pumping the brakes a wee bit. He realizes that summer season isn’t always indicative of the winter season since vacations and other activities alter lineups. Still, he is optimistic about this season, and that was underscored after their recent scrimmage.

“I’m encouraged,” said Repsher who’s entering his third season as the head coach.

That encouragement is buttressed by some talented newcomers who will play pivotal roles this season. Leading that list is junior Kylee Cunningham who returns after missing her sophomore season. Her addition gives them another option at the guard spot, someone who is capable of knocking down the perimeter jumper which was on full display this summer.

Sophomores Taylor Rummel and Ariana Hines are two more reasons to be encouraged. Rummel gives them some interior size in addition to a scoring threat from the outside. Hines will play either the four or five spot, giving them another front-court player who can mix it up on the boards.

They’ll also feature junior McKenzie Dietz and freshman Olivia George, who will provide depth off the bench.

Finally, Alix Buskirk gives Repsher another reason to be encouraged as she most likely will take over the point guard spot, allowing George to play the two and Rex to move to the three.

Their guard combination will also feature Cunningham, allowing them to utilize their strengths when defending their opponents. Repsher said that he made some changes this year defensively, implementing a style that fits his current roster.

“We’re a little more mobile,” said Repsher. “We’re more equipped to play the way we have to play.”

He said that’s defined by a hustling team defense that’s going to make it difficult on their opponents.

“We’re getting out and getting after people,” Repsher said. “That’s the way we’re going to play.”

With their tallest player listed at 5-9, Repsher said they’ll need to be a bit creative in what they do, and that’s where the smaller, quicker lineup may work to their advantage.

Still, he’ll rely on Jones, Kreglow, Hines and Rummel to play tough interior defense inside, with Kreglow anchored in the middle this season.

Offensively, they have a sharpshooter in George who’s been a three-year starter, someone who they can lean on under any circumstances.

She averaged nearly 10 ppg last season and was an Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Honorable Mention.

Additionally, Jones, a three-year starter, will provide leadership as well, an athletic player who can finish around the basket for the Zephs.

“They pretty much set the tone,” said Repsher. “They’ve done a good job with that thus far.”

In fact, he believes he has a number of players who will take the initiative when called on during the game, whether it be vocal leadership or by example.

“Hopefully, we can have everybody to do that,” he said.

Repsher hopes that can build on what they accomplished during the summer, adding what they’ve learned and making adjustments as necessary.

“The kids really have worked hard,” he said.

Repsher said the Zephs have a tough stretch right out of the gate, playing four games in five days, with most of those on the road as their non-conference games are predominantly against teams from the Schuylkill League and Wyoming Valley Conference.