Whitehall head boys’ basketball coach Jeff Jones doesn’t place full stock in his summer program as far as wins and losses, but the veteran head coach is more interested in the road to get to the final result.

The Zephyrs are competing in the Lehigh Valley Summer Basketball League, and they had a 2-7 mark through their first nine games.

“We have played [nine] games so far and have competed well in all of the games despite never having a full roster as is customary in the summer,” offered Jones. “We are never focused on ‘winning’ in the summer, but more interested in seeing how guys compete and have improved since the season ended in March.”

The Zephyrs lost two starters from las year’s team that finished 19-9 and advanced to the opening round of the state playoffs.

Jones has a solid core returning that can get the Zephyrs back on the same track as last year.

“Seniors Josh Roman, Seth Hoderewski, Talon Dogmanits, Ali Najim, Cole Richards, and Omari Ratliff are playing well and showing promise of being able to contribute in the winter season” said Jones. “Juniors Tanner Dogmanits, Caiden Robinson, Andrew Bundra and C.J. Lowe are blending in nicely with the senior group.

“Sophomores Cole Rozycki and Owen Gilfert are playing varsity minutes trying to prove they belong on a varsity team.”

Aside from their offensive output, Jones has emphasized the other side of the ball.

“A consistent theme this summer has been defense,” added Jones. “We have utilized some full-court pressure, but mostly relied on man defense to see how each player can handle those one-on-one situations.”

Along with defense, the Zephyrs are working on ball movement to help create some of their offense.

“Moving the ball and player movement are being stressed as we run very few plays in the summer,” said Jones. “We try to allow the players lots of freedom offensively in the summer.”

Jones is optimistic his team can maintain its level down the stretch.

“We have [three] more league games to go and [a] summer tournaments before wrapping up summer games late in July,” said Jones. “We continue to lift and workout throughout the summer months until school starts in August.”