Whitehall’s girls basketball team hosted Liberty on Dec. 4, and while the Zephyrs led, 22-17, at halftime, the Hurricanes’ full-court pressure took a toll on the Zephs, who fell, 52-43.

Liberty went on a seven-point run to end the first quarter, but Abigail Kneller (15 points) evened things up for Whitehall with a 3-pointer to start the second quarter.

The Zephyrs capitalized on five missed free throws by the Hurricanes with Corynn Troxell’s three-point play and a triple apiece from Llyneida Otanez and Kneller.

“I felt every one of them, but Coach Middleton does a great job,” said Liberty coach Jarrett Carnes. “He’s been working with them for three years now, so the fruits of his labor are starting to show.”

Liberty’s full-court press and a 10 seconds call against Whitehall in the third quarter was the spark that lit up the Hurricanes, and Ava Kopetskie’s four-point play shifted the momentum all together.

Kopetskie then intercepted a pass taken in for a layup, and teammate Ady Smith’s 3-pointer gave Liberty the lead with 3:52 remaining in the third quarter.

The Zephyrs gained four straight points from Kneller, but Liberty’s Emma Miller drilled a 3-pointer on the Hurricanes’ inbound play.

The Zephyrs suffered a second 10 seconds call late in the third quarter, and after Liberty center Chloe Rumelhart put up four points, Kopetskie was fouled with .1 seconds left, and two free throws put the Hurricanes ahead, 37-36.

Liberty compiled an eight-point lead by the 5:10 mark, and the Hurricane defense made it difficult for the Zephyr offense to get a shot off.

“I’m glad to see that the press started to get to Whitehall, and all it takes is one turnover and a bucket, or one type of steal, whatever it is, and then that gets you going,” Carnes said. “Momentum’s real.”