The summer basketball season is in full swing, and the Zephyrs got their first win last week, defeating Pocono Mountain East on Whitehall’s home court.

The threat of thunderstorms pushed the game from Cedar Beach, site of the Allentown Summer League, to Dick Tracy Court where Whitehall took to the floor with a full contingent as 15 players showed up for last Thursday’s game.

Assistant coach Corey Frantz, who serves as the coach of the summer league squad, said it was the first time all summer that they had their full roster available and they responded with a 47-40 win over Pocono Mountain East.

With that first victory, the Zephs are now 1-5 for the summer.

Joe Lisicky, one of those players previously absent since the baseball team was playing for a district title, led the way with 14 points. Likewise, they were also without the services of Dylan McGinley at who had been immersed in the PIAA volleyball playoffs. The junior also had a big impact on the game, working down low for some scores.

As the summer began, Frantz said that they were getting the opportunity to look at a range of young players. Thursday allowed them to insert a number of veterans into that mix and it proved to be a winning formula.

“It was the first time we’d been back together,” said Frantz.

It also allowed them to try different combinations. Luke Gilbert ran the point through much of the second half, sharing the backcourt with Matthew Snyder, while Lisicky, McGinley and Tyler Holubowski were manning the frontcourt. That trio logged significant varsity minutes last season and will form the foundation of this year’s squad.

Frantz said that their presence gave their lineup that veteran boost. “We were looking for some stability, and we expect that coming from them,” said Frantz.

Prior to Thursday, Frantz said that they had been freelancing quite a bit. Thursday’s game allowed them to settle into more familiar roles. He said that the veterans instinctively know what those roles are on the offense and defensive ends of the floor.

“These guys just know what we want them to do,” said Frantz.

Frantz also said that they had good balance on the floor, and that also contributed to the victory.

Liberty and Reading sit atop the Large School Division with 6-0 records.

They’ll now take a break for the Cedar Beach Basketball Showcase, also known as the Bash at the Beach, which is set to begin Thursday at Cedar Beach in Allentown. It’s a double elimination tournament featuring some of the area’s best hoops talent.