Catasauqua’s girls’ basketball program achieved their first goal at the Tamaqua tournament last weekend.

They certainly did it with some grit and determination.

Gaining a split in their two games, the Roughies were confident as they began Colonial League play this week. Catty dropped its opening game to host and eventual tournament champion Tamaqua, 61-10, and then rebounded the next day with a 44-25 win over Lincoln Leadership.

“We were 1-1 and that’s at least where we wanted to be,” said first-year head coach Mark Seremula. “Tamaqua is a very good team and we were right there with them at the beginning. We had trouble converting some one-and-ones and getting some shots to fall.”

After getting home around 11 p.m. Friday night, the Roughies were faced with a pre-noon tipoff Saturday.

They didn’t waste much time responding.

From the start, the Roughies took the lead and needed to secure it after a 27-18 advantage at the half.

One major difference in the two games was free-throw shooting, as the Roughies were 0-for-8 in the first game, and 10-for-12 in the second game.

“I challenged them at halftime to close out the game,” added Seremula. “They came out strong and build a 20-point lead. We only allowed them seven points in the second half.

“They all contributed and they all did great things. We were able to take time off the clock and play like we wanted to.”

In the win over Lincoln Leadership, Taylor Richards lead a balanced attack with 12 points followed by Lexi Rushatz with 10, Allanah George (8), and Maddie Hicks and Julia Lacey (6 each). Richards and Hicks were named co-captains before the first game.

Seremula likes what he sees from Rushatz at the point.

“(Rushatz) is a great athlete and she just plays so hard,” said Seremula. “She must have touched twenty balls and had five steals. She easily could have had more.

“Amy Huber is our first off the bench and Olivia Emery and Aidan Gerhard played a lot of minutes. Cassie Barna also played hard, and she bangs on the board along with Emma Hawk.

“All of our girls are really playing hard.”

The Roughies will face another challenge this week when they open league play with three games against Bangor Tuesday, Salisbury Thursday, and Palmerton Friday. Both Middle School teams also were successful in their season debut, posting wins over Bangor.

“Playing Bangor before Christmas is always tough, but we see Salisbury and Palmerton as very winnable games,” said Seremula. “We want to be able to get out to a good start.

“It is what it is. We’re enjoying it right now. We have been competing hard at practice and things will begin to pay off for us.”