In her first year at the helm, Catasauqua head girls’ basketball coach Tara Belfield has her team back in the district playoffs.

It was an anticipated rebuilding season for the Rough Riders, who lost four starters from last year’s team that advanced to the Colonial League Championship game and to the state playoffs.

However, the Roughies have weathered the storms due to the maturity and development of freshman players Shakala Roberts, Kailyn Stewart, Sarina Sankos, and Jessica Mankos, who have all been regular contributors and have complemented leading scorer junior Hailey Jenkins.

They have helped the team to a 13-10 record and also played in the Colonial League quarterfinals. The Roughies also clinched a District 11 Class 3A playoff berth.

Belfield has watched all four of them grow along the way.

“All four of them have shown improvement in their confidence,” beamed Belfield. “Kaylin’s all-around game has gotten so much better. Her post moves her and especially her rebounding. Sarina’s ball handling skills, her jump shot and the nice running floater that she has developed. Earlier in the season, she wasn’t doing any of things with confidence.

“Jessica took a video assignment on how to improve her game very seriously, and she has worked on three things she wanted to do better. She’s really been putting in the effort. They were rebounding, being better on defense and her shooting. Shakala is working to get stronger with ball and her ball handling skills. She is one of our best defensive players, especially when it comes to putting pressure on the ball, and her jump shot is coming along.”

Roberts, whose sister Shamiya is a former player, began playing the game due to her older siblings playing the sport. Becoming more confident on the court has elevated her game.

“One of the biggest adjustments I had to make was being confident in myself,” stated Roberts. “I’m still working on that because sometimes I forget to be confident, and I get into my head, which throws me off my game. I feel really good about myself, whenever I shoot a three-pointer and hear my family in the crowd, especially my very loud mother, it boosts my confidence by a lot.

“I also feel a boost when I play defense and lock a girl down. One example was when we played Saucon Valley, and I didn’t let a girl get it across half court, and she got a 10-second violation called on her.”

Stewart began playing basketball at age eight, but she changed her approach in middle school. Her parents, Walter and Regina, have played a major role.

“I started basketball when I was eight, but at the time I was just doing it to stay active,” said Stewart. “But since seventh grade, I have been taking the sport seriously. My parents have helped me make the adjustment, coming from middle school and having to adjust to playing varsity. I think I feel more comfortable when I am down low, and I catch the rebound and put it back up.”

Sankari began playing basketball when her father, Chad, signed her up for the game in first grade and later coached her. From there, a tight bond was created.

“That’s just when I fell in love with the sport,” reflected Sankari about her beginnings. “My dad also had the biggest influence over my basketball career because he was always my supporter and told me the truth on how I played.”

Sankari also made some effective changes in her game in the process.

“The biggest adjustment that I had to make this year is playing against people who are older, bigger, and more experienced,” said Sankari. “At the beginning of the season, I was scared to even drive or play like how I usually play. But as the season kept progressing and after the first few games, I realized I just have to play with confidence and keep my head up.”

Regardless of the end of the season, Belfield knows there is a bright future ahead.

“The thought of this group next year makes me so excited,” beamed Belfield. “Hailey is carrying this team on her back right now, but I am hoping that next season they can take some of the weight off.”