This week, the prospects of whether or not Catty’s girls’ basketball team will make the league and/or district playoffs could hang in the balance.

The Rough Riders had an overall 3-5 record after their last game a few days before Christmas, and head coach Mark Seremula believes this week will dictate their future. Catty will play Kutztown (home, Jan. 3), Southern Lehigh (away, Jan, 5), and Palisades (home, Jan. 7).

Kutztown (2-2) is the only team with a .500 or better record. Both Palisades and Southern Lehigh are 2-5.

“Our goal is still to get to 11 or more wins and make the district playoffs,” he stated. “We still would like to make a run at the league playoffs. We want to be one of the top six teams in the league.

“We see three very winnable games for us.”

Seremula noted recent losses against Northwestern and Palmerton were within their grasp of victory.

“We were within eight points of Northwestern in the fourth quarter, and they had to play the whole game,” said Seremula. “That never happened before with us.

“It was a 10-point game with Palmerton in the fourth quarter. We were right there with them after we were down 8-0 in the first quarter.”

Setting the space for the Roughies had been freshman Hailey Jenkins, who has averaged 13 points per game.

“She isn’t a surprise to us,” said Seremula. “She is doing what we expected of her. Hailey is going to have a great year.”

Seremula also noted the steady contributions of juniors Sophia Becker and Delaney Troxell. Becker averages nine points and nine rebounds per game, while Troxell averages six points per game.

“We would like to see Sophia score more, but she is doing a great job rebounding for us,” said Seremula. “We would like to get more points from Delaney as well.

“We have had three consistent scorers.”

Becker realizes the significance of next week’s play.

“It is a big recovery week for us,” said Becker last week. “We just came back from playing two of the best teams in the league in Northwestern and Palmerton. We fought hard, but we didn’t manage to finish.

“We have three winnable games, and it is essential that we finish all three of these games to regain the confidence that was lost in our previous losses. We are all determined and ready to work, and we won’t let these games slip away.

“The team has been working hard over Christmas break to improve skills and team playing, and I think we have never been more ready to tackle any team that is thrown at us. We are looking to make the playoffs this year, and games like these will make the difference.

“If we start off well, I truly believe we can win all three games.”