Whitehall senior forwards Gavin Roberts and Luke Keppel both admittedly feel a sense of pressure among themself and the other six seniors on the Zephyrs’ squad.

Both want to avoid a semifinal exit in the Class 5A bracket they experienced against eventual champion Pocono Mountain West (69-60) in the district playoffs last season, and make a long run into this year’s postseason.

The Zephyrs will open the district playoffs against East Stroudsburg North, which they defeated, 60-48, in the opening round last year, in the district Class 5A semifinals Feb. 27. If they win there, they could face top-seeded Pocono Mountain West in the final.

Roberts is aware of his team’s state of mind.

“I feel there is a sense of urgency to go far,” stressed Roberts. “We were all devastated last year after the loss in the district playoffs. We thought our season had ended too early.

“There is a lot of maturity and leadership on this team this year. We have guys who have been at this spot in the past, even in other sports. I feel this year we have seven seniors, some who won’t play after this year and some who will continue. We all want the same thing ... and that’s to go as far as we can the rest of this year.”

Keppel, who will continue his career at DeSales University next year, knows the trust among his teammates runs deep.

“We are ready for what’s ahead of us,” he boasted. “Our preparation for these moments goes back to grade school, so we’ve been ready for this. Ultimately, the postseason is how we will be measured and that’s the way we want it.

“We realize the challenges and opportunities ahead of us, and our intent is to embrace them. I think in order for us to achieve our goals we have to continue to believe in who we are and what we can accomplish together. Our experience is something we can lean on for sure.”

Head coach Jeff Jones has watched his team - notably his seniors - respond to their mission.

“We have had some high-intensity practices,” said Jones. “We have tried to keep our normal schedule, and we had a very good intrasquad scrimmage. The seniors understand what is in front of them.

“Keppel has looked unbelievable in practice. He can sense it. We talked about how quickly four years can go by, and how I remember him in a jersey as a freshman.

“Roberts isn’t totally back from a torn meniscus, but he does a great job rebounding. He deserves to do well. He just goes 100-percent all the time.”

Jones scheduled a scrimmage with Notre Dame of Green Pond this week. He sees a similar scenario to his district opponent, whom his team defeated 76-47 earlier this year.

“Notre Dame has the same type of style as East Stroudsburg North,” said Jones. “They both like to go up and down the floor. We’ll get a good test with Notre Dame.”

Jones also noted how his team’s eight losses have all been against high-caliber teams from the conference.

“We have lost to Emmaus three times and twice to Parkland,” he said. “That’s five losses to teams in the (league) championship game. We also have losses to Liberty, Northampton, and (Allentown) Central Catholic.

“We haven’t had any bad defeats.”

For Roberts and Keppel, they are confident that this is their time.

“I see the team currently as ready to go and give our best shot at coming home with a district title,” said Roberts. “We want to make the best run we can in states.

“Whitehall basketball has a long tradition of winning big games,” added Keppel. “It’s been a while, and it is our time to reestablish the tradition.”

GIRLS

The Whitehall girls finished with a 6-16 record, but will still qualify for the District 11 5A playoffs.

The Zephs earned the three seed, ahead of both East Stroudsburg South and Southern Lehigh, which also ended their years with 6-16 records. The Spartans were the odd team out of the playoffs, however.

The Whitehall girls avoided a first-round matchup with top-seed Bethlehem Catholic, which finished its season with a record of 18-4. The Zephs will instead play second-seed Bangor on Feb. 28 at a time and location to be determined. Becahi will face Eastburg South, also at a time and place to be determined.

The 5A girls finals will take place on Saturday, March 2.