Consistency.

It has been a calling card for the Whitehall boys’ basketball team this season.

With a seasoned group, the Zephyrs stormed out to a 12-1 start, and they were one of the basketball stories in the Lehigh Valley.

Yet, like every team, the Zephyrs hit some potholes.

They recently have lost three of their last four games, dropping consecutive games to Emmaus, 55-40, and Allentown Central Catholic, 60-35.

Whitehall will look to bounce back with a home game against Parkland Friday with an overall 12-5 record. Head coach Jeff Jones foresaw a possible letdown.

“We lacked consistency and execution, and in turn, missed shots,” offered Jones. “When you miss enough shots, then your confidence wains.

“Emmaus took command in the first quarter and led throughout. After one quarter, the score was 17-8, mostly because we were two for-eight from the free throw line in the quarter. We fought back a bit in the third quarter winning the period 9-7 and cutting the lead to 10.

“We finished seven-for-17 from the free throw line, and Emmaus was 12-for-16.”

Senior guard and leading scorer Luke Keppel quickly realized that his team was off stride.

“Both games were bumps in the road,” said Keppel. “We did not do a good job at the start of both games matching their energy and adjusting to their defensive pressure. It allowed them to dictate the tempo and the pace of the game. It’s hard playing catch up against two teams like that.”

Keppel is confident he and his teammates can learn from the experiences.

“We lost to two very good teams that have proved themselves in the league,” added Keppel. “We still like where we are and will get better from these experiences. It’s that time of the year where our focus, preparation, and play need to be above 100 percent.

“We will remain confident in each other, so we can get where we want to be.”

Jones knows his team needs a good start against Parkland, who has five straight to record an overall 12-3 record.

“We need a good first quarter,” stressed Jones. “That will get us back to playing how we’re capable of playing.”