In their 52-28 opening-round state playoff game loss to Chambersburg, Whitehall’s boys’ basketball team discovered how size can matter in sports.

“They were 6-6, 6-6, 6-4, 6-3, and 5-11,” described Zephyrs’ head coach Jeff Jones in reference to the heights of Chambersburg’s starting lineup. “We continued to fight but got it no closer than the final score.

“The third quarter is where the game got away from us as we were outscored 18-6. Chambersburg size and athleticism wore us down over time.”

Jones noted that his team also started slow, started slow being down 8-0, but the Zephyrs tied the game a 14 before they trailed 22-17 at halftime.

Seth Hoderewski led the Zephs with 17 points and Mason Roberts added 11. Whitehall finished the season with an overall 19-9 record.

Hoderewski, a junior, stated that his team played with intensity from start to finish. He will join Tanner and Talon Dogmanits as returning starters for the 2025-26 campaign.

Hoderewski averaged 10.6 points per game, and Roberts, a senior, added 8.4 points per contest. Talon Dogmanits, a junior averaged 9.6, and Tanner, a sophomore, averaged 6.0 points.

“Chambersburg was a good environment, and we were excited,” stressed Hoderewski. “We played with what we had and we fought until the final buzzer. They are a really good team and could make a run.

“But the good news is that we have three starters back. We also have young guys like (freshmen) Cole Richards and Cole Rozycki who will help us next year.”

Talon Dogmanits saw a similar picture of the Chambersburg game.

“I think we just couldn’t execute on offense and couldn’t get into a groove,” he said. “I think it was a pretty successful year, although we didn’t accomplish much. We had a good record, but would’ve liked to been able to put a medal around our necks. Yeah the team is looking forward to next year, we have a lot of people returning and could be very good next year.”

Jones also has a positive outlook.

“Overall, we had a very good season for an overall undersized team,” offered Jones. “We look forward to the next season with several experienced players coming back. We return 53% of our offensive points. We will have our “summer “ league starting in about two months.”