Catasauqua head girls' basketball coach Dave Troxell knew it would happen soon.

His team has been saddled with an 18-game losing streak since they opened the season with a victory over Mahanoy Area.

It wasn't the appropriate welcome back to the seasoned coach, who returned to the Catty bench for the first time since the 2009 season after a successful 11-year run. But Troxell is a realist and knew these unchartered waters that produced four wins in the past four years wouldn't be a steady course.

"We have been very competitive lately and I knew we would get a win soon," said Troxell. "The girls have been doing the right things and they have a better sense of what needs to be done to achieve success."

Fortunately, Troxell's prognostication soon came true. And it happened in a big way.

The Roughies ended their losing streak with a 57-17 rout of Lehigh Valley Christian School Feb. 1.

In the game, Katie Buczynski and Shiloh Sziy, who have been the team's most consistent scorers and rebounders all season, each had a game-high 16 points.

"I just feel so good for the girls," said Troxell. "It was something to see the excitement they had throughout the game and at the end. We played every phase of the game the right way and we played a solid four quarters. That has been something that has plagued us all season.

"Katie (Buczynski) and Shiloh (Sziy) both had outstanding games offensively and defensively for us. They have been doing everything for us all season. We also got a strong game from Amarice Moten, who also has had a good season.

"I am really glad to just have them get the sense of winning. That's another thing we needed all year. Now, we finally are understanding what it takes to win a game."

Sziy, a junior who has played meaningful minutes since her freshman year, certainly will cherish the moment.

"It was great to finally get the win," she said. "This has been a different year with coach Troxell and everyone has been positive. We were very positive about closing out the season with some wins and then coming back next year."

Sziy and her teammates certainly may get the chance. The Roughies had a rematch with Northern Lehigh Tuesday night – a tight 26-25 defeat they suffered Dec. 19 – and then will end the regular season with Northwestern Friday night.

Yet, there are positive signs surfacing for next season. Troxell is hopeful interest will continue to build to field a junior varsity team next winter.

"We were looking forward to the (Northern Lehigh) game," stated Troxell. "That was a game we should have won. It would be nice to close the season on a high note. We are seeing more girls becoming interested in the program.

"We'll keep working and building for next year."