Shiloh Sziy certainly will miss her playing days at Catasauqua. It is a situation that won't be a quick exit.

The senior will end her basketball career this week and later will have her softball career left in the annals of Roughie sports history. It will be a monumental shift in her life.

"It hit me a week ago that this will be the last time I will likely play competitive basketball in the past 13 years," said Sziy. "I never really thought (my high school career) will be ending.

"This year, basketball was special. You can't just look at the wins and losses, but it was an exciting year for us. If we can get a win in our last two games, it will be more wins than my last three years combined here."

Catty entered this week with an overall 3-17 mark and had Northern Lehigh on their schedule Tuesday and Northwestern on Northwestern Thursday. The Roughies earlier beat Northern Lehigh, 40-29, Jan. 6.

Sziy, who has served as team leader not only in scoring and rebounding but also off the court, sees the program ready to take a next big step.

"Yes, I can definitely see improvement here and it is headed in the right direction," she stated. "Coach (Seidick) came in with a definite plan and told us how he can have us playing at camps and in leagues. He really showed confidence is us and we in turn have confidence in what he wanted to do.

"We felt fortunate to have him."

Initially, however, there was some anxiety from Sziy, fellow senior Amarys Moten, and other returnees about having another new coach in the fold.

"At first, we were a little hesitant," said Sziy. "For Amarys (Moten) and myself, this was our third head coach in as many years. We were all really comfortable with Trox (former head coach and current athletic director Dave Troxell). But once he (Seidick) told us about his plans and showed us, we were fine.

"We were just looking for some stability in the program and we believe we have it now."

Seidick has appreciated his player's sentiments.

"Shiloh (Sziy) is our glue," noted Seidick. "She and Amarys (Moten) have done everything I have asked from them and more. They have taken charge like senior leaders from the beginning. Shiloh has really worked on her game and has really improved her rebounding.

"She has played against some of the better post players around and has outplayed and outhustled some of them. She certainly deserves to be an all-league selection."

Sziy will remember the team's double-overtime victory against Lehighton as one of her more memorable basketball games. It was the second in three consecutive victories for the Roughies.

"That was the first time I played in overtime and it was exciting," she recalled. "But I fouled out in the first overtime. Still, I was thrilled for my teammates as they worked very hard to get the win. That was a huge game for us."

Sziy knows softball is around the corner, but also realizes it will be the last go-around for the sport as well. She plans to attend Baylor University in Waco, Texas, next fall and pursue a degree in nursing.

"I looked into the university and my family and I visited there this summer," said Sziy. "I know it is a far place from home, but I really love the place. I know I won't be able to play any sports because the major has a huge commitment.

"I plan to do what I can to make my remaining time at Catty a memorable one."

As long as she stays involved, Sziy will continue her remaining days productive ones.