Whitehall’s Luke Keppel knew there was something special about his team’s season this year, but he and his teammates just couldn’t finish it like they wanted.

The Zephyrs’ (17-10) 27-game season recently ended in a 76-70, double overtime loss to undefeated District 2 champion Abington Heights (26-0) in a PIAA Class 5A second-round state playoff game. A few days earlier, Whitehall won its first state game since 2005 when they defeated Phoenixville in an opening-round game.

Keppel, a senior who will continue his career at DeSales University next season, could still feel the sting of the defeat. He did manage to cross the 1,000-point career scoring plateau and finished his Zephyr career with 1,013 points.

“We were very disappointed to see the season end the way it did,” deadpanned Keppel, who was his team’s leading scorer at just over 15 points per game. “We played our best game of the year on the biggest stage against one of the top teams we played all season.

“We gave everything we had, and for it to not be enough is difficult. We did our best, and just didn’t make enough plays to come out on the winning side. We are proud of our effort, but we are really sad about the outcome.”

Head coach Jeff Jones shares the sentiments of his lead player.

“We went out against a 25-0 team and expected to win,” noted Jones. “For three-and-a-half quarters, we were winning. It was one of the best high school games that I have ever seen. It is a tough pill to swallow.

“We were up double-digits, but we knew they would come back because they shoot exceptionally well.”

Jones drew some comparisons to his team’s 53-50 loss to Pocono Mountain West in the Class 5 A district championship game.

“It was very similar in some ways,” added Jones. “We were leading for a good portion of the game. Then they made some plays, and we didn’t.”

Jones knows the ties run deep among his players. Assistant coach Eric Dogmanits and Tom Keppel - Luke’s father - worked with the group since their early youth. Dogmanits is the father to senior Troy and sophomore Talon.

“Those two guys started coaching these guys back in third grade,” said Jones. “They all have played together for a long time. It a unique situation where they have been best friends. They are all very unselfish.

“It was a special moment when Luke scored his 1,000-point to see the support he received from his teammates. You saw how these guys genuinely care for each other.”

Keppel was grateful for his time to shine.

“Growing up seeing all the guys older than me play for Whitehall having fun together was what I wanted to do,” he stressed. “So, these past four years have been very special. It was the best, and I am fortunate to have created relationships with many Whitehall greats along the way.

“There were many great people that helped me throughout my high school career, and I can’t thank them enough.”

Keppel, Dogmanits, Sebastain Orochena, Ethan Ringenberger, Gavin Roberts, Evan Kovalchik, and Braden Bashore are the seniors who will be moving on from the program. Jones credited Dogmanits, Bashore, and Kovalchik for their limited yet effective contributions off the bench as well as helping to create the opposing scout team in practices.

Jones will look to Talon Dogmanits, Seth Hoderewski, A.J. Hines, and Mason Roberts as key returnees for next season. Jones, who completed his 17th season as head coach, plans to continue serving on the bench for quite some time.

“We do have a pretty good group returning,” said Jones. “These seven seniors left a mark on the program that will stay for a while. They really helped us reach a new level, and they will be missed.”

As for Keppel and his teammates, they have formed another chapter and restored pride back in the program.

“Now that my time is up, I hope people can view these four years as me and our team representing Whitehall, our families, and community in a way that made everyone proud. I will forever be proud to be a Zephyr basketball player,” he said.