Hailey Jenkins had a transition basket with 2.8 seconds left in the game to lift Catasauqua to a 39-37 upset victory over top-seeded Palmerton in a District 11 Class 3A semifinal playoff game at Pleasant Valley High School Tuesday night.

The district victory was the Rough Riders’ second since they last appeared in the postseason in 2008. The fourth-seeded Roughies downed fifth-seeded Executive Education, 47-36, in the opening round.

Catasauqua (16-8) snapped a 15-game winning streak for Palmerton (23-2), which recently won the Colonial League title. The Blue Bombers last lost a game on Dec. 27.

Jenkins had a game-high 13 points, Delaney Troxell had nine, and Cora Soltis had 7.

The sophomore guard was appeased and grateful after the game.

“The shot sealed the game and after it went in, I felt relieved,” gushed Jenkins. “It was nice to see the smiles on my teammates’ and coaches’ faces.

“The win was very special considering how it could have been our seniors’ last game. It’s nice to know that I will be playing with them a little longer.”

Troxell, a senior, saw the victory as another reinforcement of their mission.

“This win means a lot,” she stressed. “We have been working the whole season for this, and it is time to finish the job.

“I am so proud of everyone on this team and grateful for our coaches for the opportunities they have given us.”

Catty head coach Mark Seremula stated that his team mixed their defenses to confuse Palmerton, and they also were able to defuse the Blue Bombers trap. It was just another example of his team’s grit and determination. The Roughies forced 13 turnovers, but they also had 11 of their own.

“These girls just don’t want it to end,” gushed Seremula. “We have seniors who have stepped up and gave a little extra. Big players made the big plays. Hailey Jenkins is a heckava player.

“We kept it close all night, and we ran our sets well. We were precise on offense and did what we thought we could do.”

The Roughies’ Alivia Bear made the second of two foul shots with 12 seconds to go to tie the game at 37-37. Palmerton’s Sydney Frantz was fouled with 10 seconds left, but she missed both foul shots.

Catty had a 10-5 lead after the opening quarter, and they had a 19-13 lead at halftime. Jenkins and Soltis both had seven points for the Roughies at halftime. However, the Roughies fell behind 29-27 after three quarters.

Seremula is confident his team can stay on the ride. They will meet second-seed Notre Dame, which defeated Pen Argyl, in the Class 3A championship game Friday, March 1 at 6 p.m. at William Allen High School.

“We’re going to the championship game and we’ll get a state bid,” added Seremula. “It’s been amazing considering how far they have come since they were 0-19 as freshmen.”