In the past few years, Whitehall head boys’ basketball coach Jeff Jones would have thought a 4-0 start to the season would be attributed to his defense.

This season, the Zephyrs have gotten off to a 4-0 start, but their trend has been reversed.

Through their first four games, Whitehall averaged 59 points per game and also won the Danville Tournament in Bloomsburg by defeating Danville (59-45) and Central Columbia (58-44). They previously beat Allentown Central Catholic (49-43) at Rockne Hall and opened with an impressive 69-46 win at Easton.

More impressively, the Zephyrs opening four wins were all on the road.

“We’re pretty happy to win two league games on the road,” said veteran head coach Jeff Jones. “That’s a great start to the league. Winning at Rockne Hall is always difficult.

“We had a really good weekend in Bloomsburg.”

Jones attributed the team’s cohesion and chemistry to assistant coaches Tom Keppel and Eric Dogmanits, both of whom have worked with players on the current roster since fifth grade.

“A lot of them grew up playing together,” said Jones. “They played for coach Keppel and coach Dogmanits. They have been working in the system, and the transition into high school was a lot easier for them.

“They know what we’re doing. We have three seniors on this team, and this year and next year can be big years for us. These guys are playing with a lot of confidence due to their past.”

Junior guard Doug Keppel was named the MVP of the Danville tournament, and he is averaging 19.5 points per game. Keppel is shooting 57 percent from the field, 59 percent from the three-point stripe, and 88 percent from the foul line.

“Those are some pretty good numbers,” said Jones about Keppel’s shooting percentage. “He has been just unbelievable. He has been a leader, and is really playing as well as anyone around.”

Jones also likes the production from sophomore 6-7 center A.J. Hines, who had 19 points in the championship game at Danville. Hines had nine points in the opener, but he made a huge impact. Hines was on the All-Tournament team.

“He has been playing really well,” said Jones of his big man. “He has been blocking shots and getting rebounds. He also has had some dunks. Hines is shooting 68 percent from the field, and he has been hitting jumpers.”

Jones also highlighted the play of senior Gavin Kneller and juniors Gavin Roberts and Ethan Ringenberger, who all have been regular contributors.

Juniors Trey Dogmanits and Braden Bashore are both football players who are adjusting due to their recent championship run, and will play key roles off the bench. Senior Aiden Parvel returned to the program after he spent two years at Northern Lehigh, and he has been gradually developing into the system

Jones sees a major litmus test ahead for this club this week when they face Emmaus, Pocono Mountain West, and Hazleton this week.

“Emmaus is always difficult and Pocono Mountain West may be the best team in the league,” noted Jones. “We have to travel to Hazleton Saturday. It will be a tough week.

“But we will really know where we are as a team after this week.”