Eric Snyder believed all along.

Soon after, his players did, too.

Since the start of the season, Snyder was confident that his team could be a bona fide contender for the Colonial League, as well as a District 11 Class 3A crown. The veteran 33-year head coach watched his budding club grow last season, and he expected them to take the next step.

As well as believe, the Roughies won their ninth district crown, and their first title since 2006.

Despite their slow, 0-4 and 2-6 start, Snyder sent the same, repetitive message to his troops.

“Keep the faith,” stressed Snyder. “We played playoff teams at the beginning of the season, and we played the easier part of our schedule after Christmas. We told them they have the ability to do well.

“We kept reinforcing it, and we went from there.”

After their district-clinching victory vs. Minersville and a previous victory over two-time reigning champion Mahanoy Area, the Roughies will host Philadelphia Academy Charter Saturday afternoon in an opening-round state playoff game.

Catty will enter the game winning 16 of their last 20 games, posting an overall 18-10 record. They recorded the most victories since they went 15-9 in the 2013-14 season, losing to Notre Dame in the district final.

The Roughies have had success all season running the floor behind the junior guard tandem of Frankie Pujols and Hamaad Jenkins, who have used their speed to their advantage.

Pujols has averaged roughly 15 points per game, and Jenkins as added approximately 13 points. In their 61-50 victory over Minersville in the championship game, Pujols had 19 points and Jenkins had 16, converting nine of 10 free throws.

Junior Reece Lopez had become the team’s top three-point threat. Lopez averaged nearly 10 pints a game and has sunk 55 three-pointers.

Up front, seniors Matt Fotta and Jeremiah Cofie have been forces on the block.

A large part of the Roughies’ success can be traced to their bench. Juniors Manny Bolmer, Dylan Lorah, and Caden Weaver have each contributed in their own way, and freshman Aalani Nix has been a consistent scorer. Nix chipped in with 10 points in the title game.

Snyder has watched each of them develop.

“Bolmer has been an instant burst of energy,” said Snyder. “Lorah has been steady for us all season. Weaver has played well as a 5-10 center, and Nix has really grown as a freshman and a scorer.”

Philadelphia Academy Charter (12-6) is the fifth seed from District 12, and the Chargers have won eight of their last 10 games. They are led by junior guard/forward Jordan Benzenahfer, who is averaging 18.2 pints per game and has a team-high 37 points, and fellow junior Tahj Wilson, who had added 12.5 points per contest.

If the Roughies win, they will face the winner of the Lancaster Mennonite-Lancaster Catholic matchup March 12 at a site to be determined.

At this point, Pujols believes his team has a high ceiling.

“Winning a district championship and beating few higher ranked teams, we feel we can compete with anybody,” beamed Pujols. “It’s not surprising to us because we work so hard and believe in ourselves and each other. We knew what we had to do in the championship, and we didn’t let up one bit. That make us even more confident in our state run.”