Heading into the postseason, Catasauqua’s boys’ basketball team has taken the next step at the right time.

The Rough Riders entered the Colonial league playoffs as the number eight seed and they upset top-seeded Notre Dame, 69-66. Monday night, the Roughies continued their assault with a 46-31 victory over fourth-seeded Bangor, and they headed to the Colonial League Championship against Northwestern Friday.

Against Bangor, Frankie Pujols had a team-high 16 points, Jeremiah Cofie had 11, and Reece Lopez added nine. The Roughies held Bangor to 10 points at halftime, holding a 23-10 lead.

Head coach Eric Snyder believes his team chemistry is stronger than ever. The Roughies began the season losing four-straight, and five of their first six games, dropping their first three games by a combined seven points.

From there, Catty (14-9) posted a seven-game winning streak in January, and they closed out their regular season with consecutive wins over Notre Dame of East Stroudsburg (72-60) and Southern Lehigh (65-52). They will be in the District 11 Class 3A playoffs.

“We believe in each other right now on our team,” said Snyder. “We’re playing together, and we believe in each other. We believe in ourselves, and we aren’t the same team that we were that first two weeks of December.

“Our kids have grown up and matured and have learned and are still learning what it takes to win games they play for each other and they play together and they’re playing harder and smarter as well.”

Snyder is confident his team can continue to move forward if they execute their game plan. The Roughies opened the season with a 58-56 loss at Bangor Dec. 3.

The starting five of Pujols, Hamaad Jenkins, Cofie, Matt Fotta, and Lopez has grown throughout the season.

“We have to keep running on offense and off of our defense,” added Snyder. “We need to use our speed and quickness and passing ability to beat teams down the floor. We had a chance to tie Bangor with two seconds left in the opening game.”

“Bangor is a team that had a size advantage over us, but again we use our speed and quickness. If Reese Lopez is hitting three pointers that opens up the inside more for us. Matt Fotta and Jeremiah Cofie have to be strong on the boards and have to rebound extremely well to keep their size off the boards and not give them any kind of second- chance shots. That’s true for any team we play.

“Hamaad and Frankie have to continue to push the ball up the court and play tremendous defense, especially on the press. They play the passing lanes extremely well.

“If we can use our speed and quickness to beat them down the floor, that will be to our advantage. The kids are anxious and ready and willing to go.”