Catasauqua’s boys’ basketball team sought to get back on the court for the first time since Dec. 20.

They have had a rough ride the past few weeks, being faced with the second COVID shutdown and facing rescheduling of games in the process.

The Rough Riders hosted Palmerton Tuesday and Lehighton Wednesday before an afternoon tilt at Bangor Saturday.

Catty will begin the second half of the season with an 0-4 mark.

“The last time we were all together as a team was the day after the Southern Lehigh game (Dec. 20),” said head coach Eric Snyder. “After Christmas, we had one day with six guys and another day with nine.

“We’re still battling with bouts of COVID and some other illnesses. We also have had guys who had family vacations. It’s rough when you don’t have everyone together.”

Snyder expects his team to continue to experience growing pains in the season’s second half.

He also noted how the program has suffered with the loss of players over the years.

“I looked back over the past few years, and I found that from seventh grade through senior high, we have lost 32 kids who have left the program,” he said. “That’s a big chunk, and it has affected the program.

“Right now, we have 10 kids, and really no one isn’t any better than the other.”

Junior Bryann Rivera is the team’s leading scorer for the Roughies, who are averaging 28 points per game.

Snyder likes the potential of seniors Emmanuel and Jose Jimenez Rodriguez. However, both have encountered eligibility issues.

“They can make plays,” he said. “They also bring some energy to the court. If they can keep their grades straight, they can help us.”

Snyder also likes freshman Matt Fotta, who should be seeing more varsity minutes down the stretch.

He liked his team chances against Lehighton Wednesday, as the Indians entered the game with a 1-7 mark. The Roughies still have to schedule makeup dates with Northampton and Fleetwood.

“We’ll see,” said the veteran coach. “We’re at the point now where it is more instruction than coaching.

“We’ll see how we respond in the second half.”