As this season has unfolded for the Whitehall girls basketball team, they’re still trying to find a way to string together four productive quarters together.

In their game against Freedom on Friday night, the opening quarter was their downfall. The Pates started the game applying full-court pressure, resulting in a number of turnovers that eventually helped Freedom post a 12-point lead after the first period. From that point, the game was much closer as Freedom won the next three quarters by a combined six points.

With that dominant first quarter, the Pates were able to hold off the Zephyrs for the 52-34 victory. The loss now drops the Zephs to 3-8 overall and 1-5 in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference.

Throughout the season, the Zephyrs have run into rough stretches that have impacted the outcome. Those have come late as in the case against Hazelton, and early as demonstrated by their loss against Parkland. This time it was the early pressure that contributed to their sluggish first period.

The Zephs were able to solve the press later in the quarter as Cassie Due used her quickness to get the ball up the court. She was also able to draw some fouls in the process.

Due’s role has grown larger over the last two games, and the freshman has responded with 17 points during that span. She had some strong finishes inside among the bigs and also nabbed a number of rebounds.

Additionally, her confidence grew as the game wore on, and she began to assert herself more on the offensive end.

Still, Repsher remains cautious about putting too much on her plate. He said he needs to find a balance.

“We have to be careful with that,” he said. “Every time we extended her minutes a little bit, she’s come through. The moment hasn’t been too big.”

Repsher said that he turned to a younger starting lineup to try and shake things up. He was disappointed with how they played against Pine Grove the previous night and wanted to see what the younger players could do.

It paid dividends as they began to settle into a good offensive flow in the second half.

“We got more of a variety of shots out of our offense in the second half,” said Repsher. “That’s the best we’ve ran the offense.”

Repsher felt it’s the best they’ve executed all year.

Repsher also said that Freedom benefitted from recovering almost every loose ball and every tipped pass. And once the Patriots began to make shots, their confidence grew.

“Every time we cut into that and tried to get back, they would hit a three or a ball would bounce their way,” said Repsher.

They also had trouble dealing with Kaitlyn Swint inside. Her strength and length made her a force in the paint, especially early in the game. Saint would gain position inside and muscle her way to the rim for some easy buckets. Her inside presence was complimented by the overall floor game of Hailey Silfies who finished with 18 points.

Alix Buskirk led the charge for the Zephyrs in the second half as they cut into Freedom’s lead. She continued to get penetration, converting soft jumpers in the paint to get Whitehall closer. She finished the game with a team-high 16 points. Additionally, Kylee Cunningham added five points for the Zephyrs, while McKenzie Dietz netted three.

Repsher said that despite the loss, this may have been a step forward. He said they’re going to put out their best lineup on the court, whoever that may be.

They get back in action Tuesday night against Northampton.