In her athletic career at Catasauqua, Alivia Bear understands how to appreciate the moments.

Over the years in cross country, Bear continued to progress before she capped her senior season with an eighth-place finish at districts and also a 47th finish from a field of 267 runners at the state meet.

Bear recently put the finishing touches on her basketball career. She has been an integral part of the Rough Riders’ run to the state tournament, helping her team to the school’s first appearance there since 2004.

In 2004, the Roughies, the consolation winner in the Class 2A bracket, lost to York Catholic, 47-46 in the second round after they routed Wellsboro, 60-24, in the opening round.

This season, the Roughies shocked top-seeded Palmerton in the semifinals, but they couldn’t overcome second-seeded Notre Dame in the final and dropped a 34-26 decision. Catty (16-9) dropped a last-second game to Philadelphia’s West Catholic (11-12), the second-seed from District 12.

Bear and her teammates will have some lingering effects from the district game, and the state game.

“We’re all disappointed with the outcome of the game,” said Bear. “We’ve come a long way since the beginning of our careers, and I know it would have been the greatest thing in the world to win districts.

“We didn’t play our best at all, and it’s hard to have an off game when you really have no subs. It was incredible to see how much of the community was there though for our game.”

Bear started playing basketball nine years ago, and it has been a speedy evolution.

“The game has completely transformed for me,” said Bear. “I used to be so uncomfortable on the court, even up to a few years ago.

“It was all about developing my skills. That made me confide while playing, and that has been my main goal for a while.”

Head coach Mark Seremula also was amazed with the support of the Roughies’ community for the game, and he has watched Bear develop into a consistent performer at the point.

“She has really developed her game,” said Seremula about Bear. “She has become a leader and is always in the flow of the game. We have been trying to get her to shoot more. Alivia has grown into a major part of our team.”

Bear plans to continue her career at Lafayette College next fall, where she will pursue a degree in the STEM field. She will run in the cross-country program.

“I chose Lafayette because it’s absolutely the best fit for me academically, and it offers me an incredible opportunity to continue running. It is a great school all around, and I know I will get a high-quality education there.

“I’m so excited to be on the cross-country team because I know will be able to grow a lot in the sport. Competing at the Division I level is also just unbelievable, and the culture that Lafayette has is one that I can’t wait to be a part of.”

In the meantime, Bear and her teammates have their sights on West Catholic. They are led by Nyla Coleman (10.2 points per game) and Tasmine Butler (10.1 ppg).

“They have some shooters,” said Seremula about his team’s next opponent. “We feel we match up well with them. We have to play to our strengths and make shots.”