Reece Lopez has been an integral part of Catasauqua’s boys’ basketball success this winter.

Nearly 30 years ago in the 1996-97 season, his father Danny Lopez played a similar role for the Rough Riders on a team that went 27-4, won leagues and districts, and advanced to the third round of the state playoffs.

Now, the younger Lopez is looking to begin the same path for the current Roughies.

The junior guard consistently has been among the team’s leading scorers all season, and he has been their most consistent three-point scorer. He recently passed 100 career three-pointers, and he will be in the hunt for the school record, which is not known at the present time.

Lopez was confident that improving his shooting this season would be a key for him and the team.

“I knew I was going to have some good defenders guarding me from how I played last year,” said Lopez. “I prepared for that by shooting off the dribble and off balance and finishing a lot over the summer. I also have improved my inside game a little bit better since last year.”

With the Rough Riders recent loss in the Colonial League Championship, the Roughies (15-10) begin the District 11 Class 3A playoffs this weekend. Lopez is looking forward to some further steps in the postseason, and his father continues to play a large role in the ride. The elder Lopez was an all-league choice his senior year.

“My dad’s career shaped out mine with him giving me pointers and little things to work on to help out the team and myself so we can win more games,” noted the younger Lopez. “My dad also passed along his experience of being in championship games and important games they needed to win, so he gave me pointers on how to prepare for these important games and what to expect from these games.”

His father admittedly has cherished the moments.

“It has been one of the biggest joys in my life,” gushed his father, who is an assistant baseball coach and Catty’s Connie Mack head coach. “He has always been very active in sports along with myself since a very young age, probably around four or five, playing sports all year round.

“Seeing him play in high school has been so much fun because I remember these days, the friendships and fun that go along with high school sports is irreplaceable. I still talk to my teammates from high school and we still remember these days and share stories about these times. I hope he enjoys his time with his friends and these experiences he’s having because they don’t come often and it takes a lot of hard work.”

Lopez and his son have enjoyed the team’s rise after a slow start.

“This season has been enjoyable after a rough start and having high expectations they figured it out and have turned their season around and have a chance in league playoffs and district playoffs, which is the first in a few years for the school. He has always been very receptive to me, giving him advice and also coaching him from a very young age.”

His son echoed his father’s sentiments.

“The basketball season started off badly as we were 2-6, but then we picked it up in the new year starting off with a 7-0 start,” said the younger Lopez. “I believe we struggled the beginning of the season because we weren’t playing aggressive defense and making the simple shots like foul shots, and not finishing the game and playing all 32 minutes. The basketball season has gone uphill from there, and we have learned to work together.

“The turning point was beating Lehighton, which was 12-1 at the time, and once we beat them, it gave us the confidence knowing we are just as good as everyone else.

“Now, we have to keep it going.”

And the younger Lopez always will have someone is his ear.