Win or lose this weekend, Whitehall head boys’ basketball coach Jeff Jones is confident his team will be recognized in a new vein.

“I think with what we have done the last two years, the kids believe that we are one of the top programs in the Lehigh Valley,” offered Jones. “Hopefully, we play well in the state playoffs.”

The Zephyrs (19-8) will take on Chambersburg (19-6) Saturday in a PIAA Class 6A first-round matchup. Whitehall advanced to the second round last season before they were eliminated by Abington Heights, finishing 17-10 overall.

Chambersburg recently lost to Governor Mifflin in the District 3 Class 6 A consolation game. They did have an eight-game winning streak to end the regular season.

The Trojans, who average 59.1 points per game as a team, are led by senior J.J. Kelly, who is averaging 22.9 points per game. Junior Landon Burhrman scores 12 points per game, and fellow junior Colton Cornwell tallies 11 points per contest.

Whitehall will enter the next round of the postseason after they dropped their last two games, the first time they lost two-straight games this season. The Zephyrs dropped a 44-40 decision to Northampton in a District 11 Class 6A semifinal before they lost to Allen, 62-60, in the district consolation game.

Senior A.J. Hines has been the team’s leading scorer all season, averaging 16.7 points per game, and junior Seth Hoderewski added 10.3 points. Junior Talon Dogmanits averaged 9.9 points, and senior Mason Roberts had 8.5 points.

“We bounced back after the Northampton game to play better against Allen, but we need to finish games,” noted Jones. “Against Allen, we competed hard, but we had some lapses at times that were at critical times.

“This was the first time we lost back to back games. Chambersburg has some really good size. It will be a challenge for us.”

Regardless of the outcome Saturday, Jones has been pleased with the team’s overall progress.

“No matter what happens, it’s been a good season,” stressed Jones. “We have some nice pieces returning next year.”