The Whitehall girls basketball season ended on a positive note, giving them something constructive to build upon as they head into the offseason.

Head coach Dwight Repsher said that it was actually three positive notes that characterized the end of their season. He puts their games against Easton and Parkland in that category as well. The game against the Red Rovers, who are currently the third seed in the District 11 6A bracket, was tied 38-38 late in the contest before Easton managed to pull away for the six-point win. The Parkland game was competitive as well, with Repsher believing it was their best effort on the Trojans home court during his tenure.

“I was proud of how we played against Parkland, and equally as proud of how we played against Easton,” said Repsher. “I don’t like to lose, but in both those games I thought we played really well.”

In the final game of the season, the Zephyrs defeated the Green Hornets 49-41 for their first Skyline Division win of the season. They had managed to win five games against Eastern Pennsylvania Conference opponents, but it was their first win inside what’s arguably the toughest division in the conference.

Repsher said that they got out to an early 10-0 lead, blanking the Green Hornets in the opening period. They continued with their strong play, extending that lead to 13 at the break.

In the second half the Green Hornets mounted a comeback. Repsher said that Emmaus was fighting for a district playoff berth and threw everything they had at them in the final quarter, but they held on for the eight-point win.

After the game, he said that it was a satisfying win for a young team that’s looking toward the future.

“Everyone walked out with a smile on their face,” said Repsher. “I really thought we were starting to make progress as the season went on.”

The Zephs finished the season at 7-15. With the season now completed, the focus will be on taking the necessary steps to be in the playoff mix once again.

Repsher crunched the numbers and said that they only lost by an average 5.5 ppg this season. They were rarely blown out, staying competitive throughout the season.

“We just have to close that gap,” he said.

The Zephs will lose seniors Kylee Cunningham and McKenzie Dietz. Cunningham, a guard, was a quick player who could pressure the ball on defense and get some steals leading to some transition baskets. She was also the best three-point shooter on the team, connecting on 36 shots from beyond the arc this season. She finished as the team leader in steals and was second on the team in scoring at 6.64 ppt.

Dietz played in the frontcourt as the team’s No. 4. Though small, Dietz was a hard-nosed player who wasn’t shy about diving after loose balls or battling for rebounds. She often had to guard players much bigger than she was, but still finished second on the team in rebounds (82) behind center Arianna Hines (89).

Repsher appreciated that desire to fight for all those rebounds and 50-50 balls.

“That’s what we’re going to miss from her,” he said.

While they’ll need to replace two valued contributors, the Zephs will have plenty of seasoned players returning for next season. That list is led by guard Alix Buskirk, who led the team in scoring at a shade over nine points per game. She was also third on the team in rebounds and was a player who could score attacking the basket or setting up for a jumper.

Hines also returns, giving them stability inside. She averaged 3.55 ppt last season and will share post duties with freshman Grace Clary who earned more minutes as the season progressed.

Freshman Brianna Smith provided a spark from the perimeter, finishing with 16 threes, second to Cunningham in that category. Freshman Cassie Due was another player who emerged in the latter half of the season, giving them some quickness at the point. She finished with 4.33 ppg.

Olivia George was a valuable player off the bench, providing a little over three points a game this season as a reserve.

The Zephs will also return Cheyenne Shook, Diane Lopez and Liana Oliver, all of whom got varsity experience this season.

Repsher said that he’s encouraged by their development and looks forward to the upcoming summer season.

He plans to play between 20-25 games over the summer, splitting time between SportsFest, the Patti Heffner Summer Basketball Classic, the Allentown Central Catholic Summer League, and perhaps an additional one depending on how the former Stellar League shakes out in its new configuration.

He said this season was marked by playing the younger kids and getting them experience playing varsity basketball. That groundwork was successfully laid, and now it’s a matter of them getting physically stronger, something he urged as they had their exit discussions following the season.

“They made progress, hopefully enough progress to see what could lie ahead,” said Repsher.