The Whitehall girls basketball team earned a division victory in their final game of the season, sending them into the offseason on a bright note.

The Zephyrs defeated Emmaus 37-24, ending the season with a 7-15 mark.

Head coach Josh Madas said that he was happy with the win, noting that is was the culmination of a strong second half that saw them win six games after the start of the new year. They finished the season 7-15.

The win against Emmaus was spurred by a strong defensive effort, limiting the Green Hornets to just six points in the first half. That laid the groundwork for the eventual win, closing the book on the 2018-19 campaign.

In addition to their strong defensive effort, Madas said that it was probably their best shooting performance of the season. They connected for six three-pointers, with Katie Kelly and Grace Clary each netting two treys, while Olivia Hines and Kristin Laky each had one.

He also applauded the way they handled the press. That effort kept Emmaus from stymieing its offense, setting up some good looks.

“We did a really nice job executing in that part of the game,” said Madas. “It really helped us get into a flow offensively.”

Madas said that they were really locked in defensively, especially in the first half. The Green Hornets had just three points in the first quarter, and then managed just three more in the second.

“That was a big reason why we were able to get the win,” said Madas.

In the second half the Green Hornets were able to close the gap, slicing into that lead by putting up 18 points over the final two quarters, while Whitehall netted 15. But Whitehall’s work in the first half allowed them to fend off the hungry Hornets who were also determined to end their year on a strong note.

The Zephs were also able to spread the ball around on offense. Seven players hit the stat sheet, with Clary leading the way with 12 points. Both Kelly and Hines finished with six points, while Ella Laky and Joey Shaul each dropped in four. Additionally, Kristin Laky had three points in the win, while Brianna Smith knocked down two for the Zephs.

With the book now closed on the season, Madas said that the girls will begin to prepare for a busy offseason. Madas, who completed his first year at the helm, is looking forward to a full run-up to the upcoming year. Last year it was a quick introductory period before they had to get ready to go to battle in the rugged Eastern Pennsylvania Conference. Some of that may have led to their 1-8 start.

They’ll also return most of their starting lineup and that will also be a key factor heading into next season.