The Whitehall girls basketball team came out like gangbusters to start the 2017-18 season, but that fast beginning fizzled once visiting Northwestern Lehigh ramped up the defensive pressure, forging the Tigers’ path to a 40-36 victory despite a fourth quarter frenzy by the Zephyrs.

The Zephyrs opened the season with an Olivia George three-pointer. That was followed by Alix Buskirk sinking two foul shots on their next possession. Next, Ariana Hines stepped behind the arc for a trey and the Zephyrs were up 8-0 against the Tigers.

That quick burst prompted a timeout, and when the Tigers returned to the floor, their defensive pressure intensified which helped them put together an 18-4 run to close out the first half. The Zephyrs didn’t score a field goal until Brianna Smith grabbed an offensive rebound and then scored the put-back bucket. That basket came at the 1:03 mark of the second period.

They had many opportunities to score, but the Tigers rugged man-to-man forced a number of turnovers.

Head coach Dwight Repsher said that their fast start may have worked against them as the half progressed.

“I think that it was too easy too early, and when they came out and got all over us, we stopped executing things,” said Repsher.

Repsher said that they did a great job to start the game, especially defensively. They also ran their offense as designed and made shots, underscoring what he’s seen from his team heading into the season. But it changed once the Tigers broke the huddle.

“When they got out all over us, we stopped doing that,” said Repsher. “We stopped thinking, and then we got tired.”

The Tigers took an 18-12 lead into the break. That pressure led to some offensive run outs as Sydney Sevrain gave them the lead after a steal and bucket, helping the Tigers go on that 9-2 run which set the stage for their explosive second quarter. Repsher said that some of those turnovers were the result of trying to force passes into a crowded interior.

The Zephs tried to make a push in the third quarter, but the Tigers maintained their cushion thanks to a three by Sevrain and the inside play of Leighanna Lister whose length gave Whitehall trouble in deep. Serbian finished with eight points, while Lister dropped in seven.

The Zephs shook off those woes and mounted a comeback later in the second half. They cut the lead to 35-31 with 2:41 left in the game, thanks to a Grace Clary three and a Buskirk bucket, but a disputed jump ball call with the possession arrow favoring the Tigers took some steam out of that momentum.

But the Tigers continued to answer as Lister and Jessica Williamson, who finished with 10 points, held off the surging Zephyrs.

Buskirk led the way with 12 points, while Olivia George finished with nine. Hines dropped in six, while Clary finished with five.

Repsher said that loss could serve as a wake-up call, but believes his team got the message.

“Hopefully, that’s a lesson learned,” said Repsher.