After a first half that saw them commit a number of turnovers that kept visiting Pleasant Valley within four points of the Zephyrs, head coach Jeff Jones reminded his team that they needed to take care of the basketball.

A lot of those turnovers were coming in transition when they were trying to get out and run.

“We’re obviously looking to push the ball up the floor,” said Jones. “We have to accept that there are going to be turnovers, no question about that. But the amount of turnovers was excessive and they were careless.

“There’s times the ball’s going to get tipped and it’s going to go out of bounds; that’s going to happen. But we threw the ball away very carelessly at times; we weren’t careful enough.”

Jones said that there were too many possessions where they did not get a shot.

They heeded the message and outscored the Bears 40-19 in the second half to pull away for the 67-42 victory. The win kept them undefeated on the season at 4-0.

The Zephyrs surged ahead in the third quarter, riding the hot hand of forward Charles Hudson. He scored 13 points in the period. A lot of those points were coming off the defensive end as he stole the ball and then flew coast-to-coast for a layup or jam.

“It was my defense that got it started,” said Hudson. “I was able to get some steals and they turned into points.”

Hudson also said that they talked about slowing it down so they could gather themselves and not turn the ball over as much.

“We worked together as a team and stopped turning it over,” said Hudson.

The offensive burst which saw them extend that four-point lead into 24, was also spearheaded by Mikey Esquilin who dropped a number of dimes in the quarter. He contributed to some of Hudson’s points in the quarter, and was effective running the point against the Bears defense.

Jones said that they did a much better job taking care of the ball in the second half. However, he emphasized that they needed to do a better job collectively rebounding the ball.

“All five guys got to concentrate and get the board first,” said Jones. “We’re leaking out a little too fast.”

During Friday’s game, both Devin Martinez and Zach Gilbert were on the floor at the same time. Last year the two post players were usually subbing for one another. Jones said that at this juncture of the season they’re still experimenting, and that extends to the whole roster.

“We feel like we have the luxury of playing eight or nine guys right now and maybe that number will grow,” said Jones. “There’s going to be games where Logan [McGinley] might get in foul trouble, and now you have to have Zach and Devin in at the same time.”

At the pace that they’re playing, Jones said that they’ll be rotating a lot of guys.

“You have to keep guys fresh,” he said.

McGinley also asserted himself in the game, finishing with a team-high 19 points. He got his points a variety of ways, including underneath the basket, jumpers from the floor, and trips to the foul line. Additionally, Kayden Walschburger dropped in nine points, while Martinez, Gilbert and Kasai Harrison each added four.

With the hot start, Hudson said they’ll need to remain focused on each game ahead and be ready to play when they take the floor.

“We just need to continue working as a team,” said Hudson. “We have to continue to work hard at practice so we can get a district championship.”

The Zephyrs also participated tin the Lehigh Valley Round Ball Jamboree at Allen’s Sewards Gymnasium on Sunday afternoon. They lost to Hazleton 65-58, suffering their first defeat of the season. The Zephs defeated Nazareth Tuesday night 80-37.

Kayden Walschburger scored 18 points and Kasai Harrison added 15 points.