Despite their 66-43 loss to Allentown Central Catholic last Tuesday, Whitehall’s boys’ basketball team has enjoyed their ride this season.

With the defeat, Whitehall’s overall record slipped to 10-3 overall at the time, which has topped the District 11 Class 6 A rankings. The Zephyrs had pieced together an impressive eight-game winning streak before that.

The Zephs rebounded with a win over Pocono Mountain East and sit at 11-3 as of early this week.

Junior Seth Hoderewski has watched his team’s bond strengthen since the beginning of the season. Whitehall finished last season with an overall 17-11 record.

“Overall, our first half of the season couldn’t have gone any better,” said Hoderewski. “We fell short in three games, but we have seen growth every game we played.

“Our goal was to be the same spot or better than last year, and we did just that. The winning streak shows we have been putting in the work. I think it’s coming all together because our chemistry and we get along really well.”

Head coach Jeff Jones believes his team’s success has stemmed from a solid chemistry and steady contributors.

Senior center A.J. Hines is averaging 17 points a game and Hoderewski has chipped in with 10.5. Senior Mason Roberts (9.5 points), junior Talon Dogmanits (9.0), and sophomore Tanner Dogmanits (7.0) have helped round out the scoring.

Junior Cole Richards and senior Dominic Gonzalez have been steady off the bench.

“I think the balance with our scoring has really been good,” said Jones. “These five have been very consistent and then we have gotten great production off the bench from Cole Richards and Dominic Gonzalez. Richards has been very versatile and can play three different positions in our matchup zone.”

Jones also credited his team’s defense and free-throw shooting.

“A big reason to our success is we are getting to the foul line more than our opponents,” he said. “We have taken on average about nine more free throws than the other team. This is an emphasis for our team going into every game.

“We have been averaging 59 points and allowing 50. We continue to have an emphasis of playing from the inside out by using A.J. inside or driving into the paint and kicking the ball out to open shooters. We continue to play a little more of our matchup zone with each game as it continues to get better each game.”

Jones is confident his team can keep their pace.

“We just have to keep working,” added Jones. “We’re getting contribution from a number of players.”