Catasauqua head girls’ basketball coach Mark Seremula and his team has been here before.

In fact, it was last season with some similarities and differences.

The Rough Riders were hopeful of a district playoff berth, but their hopes were dashed by an eight-game losing streak. They needed to win all remaining eight games down the stretch last season to gain a berth. They won five of those and finished with an overall 8-14 mark.

This season, Catty began the week with a 5-9 mark, needing to win six of their final eight to secure a district berth.

Head coach Mark Seremula was pleased with his team’s efforts against Colonial League contenders Northwestern and Notre Dame, but he wants his team to carry out the same type of effort against the rest of their opponents.

Against Notre Dame, Delaney Troxell had 14 and Katie Weidaw had 11 in a 46-39 defeat.

“Katie had a career-high against Notre Dame,” noted Seremula. “She hit three threes and did a nice job.

“We just have to have more contributors every week.”

However, their recent losses to Moravian Academy (42-30) and Saucon Valley (40-35) severely hurt their chances.

“We have to have the same kind of intensity and effort as we did against those teams,” he said. “We lost to Northwestern by 12, and that’s the closest any team has gotten to them. We were right there with Notre Dame. They hit a bunch of tough shots, and we were down 11 at halftime.

“Our defense has been good, but we’re making some bad choices with the ball and turning it over. We just have to come out with the same type of effort every night.”

Seremula continues to be impressed with the play of freshman point guard Hailey Jenkins.

“She is just a sponge who soaks up everything,” said Seremula. “She does everything we ask of her. When she gets the ball in her hands, she can be electrifying. If she gets ahead on the court, few people can catch her.

“She has to consistently work on her shot, and she will continue to grow.”

The Roughies will travel to Palmerton (13-1) Tuesday and then host Pen Argyl (10-4) Friday to begin their stretch run.

“I think the kids understand the situation they are in,” stated Seremula. “They work hard and come in before practice and stay after practice. That’s the important thing.

“We’ll see what happens.”