There were many moments when perception clashed with reality in the Whitehall girls basketball 57-39 loss to Pocono Mountain West last Wednesday night at Whitehall.

Whether it was fouls called, fouls not called, or a clocking mistake, the Zephyrs battled to the end of a highly physical game with the Panthers.

“We can only control what we can control and that’s our play on the floor,” said Whitehall coach Will Robertson. “I think Pocono Mountain West did a really good job pressuring our guards up front, but I thought we also did. Especially in the first and second quarter, we did a nice job handling that pressure, and we were right in the game with that.”

The Zephs and Panthers were even at the end of the first quarter, but Pocono Mountain West took advantage of two offensive fouls called against Whitehall in the second. Then, while it appeared that Whitehall guard Bella Fonzone sank a three pointer at the third quarter buzzer, it was ruled not in time.

“And then we have to bring that back into check because those are things that we can’t control,” Coach Robertson said.

Trailing 33-20, Whitehall’s Olivia Hines started a Zephyr scoring spree with a basket, followed by two free throws sunk by Ella Laky. Another shot by Hines rimmed out, but the Whitehall senior was fouled on the play. Then, on a steal by Fonzone, Laky got a putback, and the Zephs pulled to within five points.

Pocono Mountain West made up for lost time, however, on consecutive threes by Jada Bowen and Anai’sait Malone.

“We only played six players, and as the game wore on more and more and more physically, and you’re putting out that kind of exertion, eventually that’s gonna catch up with you,” said Robertson, “but we switched to man in the fourth quarter and played tough defense.”

Hines had a team-high 15 points for Whitehall, and Vatijah Davis had the game-high 20 points for Pocono Mountain West.

“I look at this as a team that went out there against a top-ranked team and fought them the entire game. I don’t think Pocono Mountain West walked out of here saying that was an easy game,” Robertson said. “I think we proved we’re a very good, physical team and can do a lot of good things out there. I’m so proud of them that they’ll battle to the end, and that is making them better.”