ric Snyder recalled how he felt the final seconds appeared to be in slow motion in his team's Colonial League championship game against Notre Dame last Saturday night.

"I kept watching the clock and hoped we could hold on," said the veteran coach. "It seemed like forever and the best I could hope for was going into overtime. But there were a couple of taps and the biggest guy on the floor ended it suddenly."

The "big guy" was Notre Dame's 6-foot-8 center, Vincent Eze, who tapped in a put back that gave Notre Dame a 60-58 victory and their first Colonial league crown since 2005. The victory also gave the Crusaders the top seed in the upcoming District 11 Class 2A tournament that will begin with fourth-seeded Williams Valley meeting fifth-seeded Minersville Saturday.

The Roughies (16-8), winners of 10 of their last 12 before the championship game, were awarded the second seed and will meet third-seeded North Schuylkill in their opening round game Wednesday, Feb. 26.

It arguably was one of the Roughies' finest performances this season as they tied Notre Dame 58-58, but they were on their heels the entire night. Catty lost leading scorer Paryss Marshall in the game's first four minutes to an ankle injury, but he returned in the second half and tied the game at 58 in the final minute.

"Our kids played their hearts out," said Snyder. "I'm so proud of them. Paryss (Marshall) got hurt early and he was really writhing in pain. He (Marshall) was limping and I knew he gutted it out. It was really going to come down to whom had the ball last."

However, Snyder and his players may have some nightmares about Notre Dame. They dropped tightly played regular season games to them the past two seasons and lost the district final to the Crusaders last winter.

There is a strong possibility the two could meet for the district title in two weeks.

"They're our nemesis right now," said Snyder about Notre Dame. "They have our number right now. We will likely have to find away to beat them, but I'm only concerned about getting to the district final right now."

To get back to the final, the Roughies will need to continue to rely on their effective front line of Marshall and Kevin and Derrick Bond. Kevin Bond, who with his brother have been a wall of defense and rebound collectors all season, finished with 10 blocks shots.

"Kevin (Bond) had a great game for us and Derrick (Bond) has also been solid for us," said Snyder. They are both tall and lanky and have great timing to block shots. We're hopeful Paryss (Marshall) will be healthy and he has some time to heal."

Dakota Schiffer, who has been the lifeblood of the Roughies' bench, and Dave Wetherhold have provided the offensive spark in the backcourt, while Brandon Purrone has steadied the course playing on a torn ACL.

"We've had scoring balance all season," said Snyder. "Dakota (Schiffer) and Dave (Wetherhold) hit some big threes for us, and they have been there all season. I know Brandon (Purrone) wants to be more explosive, but he has been getting the job done for us."

Snyder would have liked to find a scrimmage like he had in the past before district games.

He did receive an offer from Bethlehem Catholic for a meeting Monday, but he wanted to rest his players.

"It is harder to get a scrimmage," said Snyder. "But we'll be fine. We don't have as long a wait like we had in the past. We'll look at the films on North Schuylkill and go from there."