In his youth, Frankie Pujols envisioned his name being on the school’s basketball career 1,000-point scorer banner in the gymnasium.

“Since I was younger, I would watch the older guys on varsity and see how they played and that’s when I noticed the 1,000-point banner,” recalled Pujols. “I saw how many people were on it and I knew I would want to see my name added the year I was graduating.”

In middle school, Pujols took it upon himself to begin to take the necessary steps toward seeing his name on the banner.

“When I hit about eighth grade, I knew I wanted to get up there,” noted Pujols. ”I would tell my siblings about it and I wanted to leave a mark at Catty for when I move on in life.”

Pujols got his chance last Monday night when he broke the 1,000-point barrier for his career in a 20-point performance to lift the Rough Riders past Pleasant Valley, 73-50, in the semifinals of the Slatington Rotary Basketball Tournament. The Roughies met Bethlehem Christian in the finals Tuesday.

However, the senior, who became the 13th player to achieve the mark, had his doubts about reaching the milestone after an injury limited him to four games his freshman year.

“The main feeling that’s going through my mind is just I’m proud of myself and my coaches in believing in me,” gushed Pujols. “You know coming from freshman year I had to sit out sadly with an injury and I only got to play four games that year.

“I knew it was going to push me back a little with my points, so I didn’t really know where I was going to stand. When it came to my final points. It went better than I thought. I’m blessed to be able to be another person in Catasauqua to be up on the banners for this achievement.”

Head boys’ basketball coach Eric Snyder knew Pujols would be special.

“We knew was going to be an excellent player,” reflected Snyder. “You could see it coming up through the years he played two years on the freshman team as a seventh and an eighth grader.

“He was all set to start as the off guard during his freshman year until he got hurt over the Thanksgiving holiday playing pickup basketball on the Thanksgiving Saturday afternoon.”

When Pujols came back from his freshman injuries, Snyder saw a quick transition.

“I remember his second game back. He had 24 points against Salisbury, and we beat them. We were only 4-22 that year. If we would’ve had him, things would’ve been a little bit better, maybe a lot better.

“But that never deterred him. Frankie is one of the hardest workers and one of the most knowledgeable and competitive leaders that I’ve coached.”

Pujols cited the support of his mother, Olivia, as a steady, guiding force.

“In my career, I would say my mom had the biggest influence because everything I do is always to make her proud,” stressed Pujols. “I always want to do right by her. Whether she was at my games or not, I always wanted to perform well any time I stepped on the court.

“She is always giving me advice and is always by my side when I need her in any situation. Just knowing I have her there with me always helps me on and off the court.”

Pujols also acknowledged the support of his coaches and teammates, and assistant coach James Snyder certainly has helped shape his career.

“I couldn’t do any of this without my coaches and my teammates for putting their trust in me,” said Pujols. “They know I can make plays, they let me play my game.”

The elder Snyder has realized his son’s influence in Pujols’ career.

“James sort of took him under his wing and worked long and vigorously through all of Frankie’s four years plus at the high school,” stated Snyder. “They lifted together, and James made him work on his jumpshot and all kinds of different moves. They would go to the high school gym, and James would work him out and others.

“As a matter of fact, James coached him from like fifth grade on in Little League, Cadet and Knee-Hi,” added Snyder. “He has been working with him for a long time. We just had a mentor night and Frankie picked James as his mentor.”

The younger Snyder has built a tight bond with Pujols.

“He’s like a little brother to me,” boasted Snyder. “I’ve coached or taught him every year since his fifth grade.

“He just has an incredible work ethic. Anytime I would ask him to come up to lift or shoot, he was in, nights, weekends, it didn’t matter. He just always wanted to be in the gym.

Snyder also appreciates Pujols’ outlook.

“He also is a realist,” added Snyder. “He recognizes flaws in his game, and would ask to work on those. He also is an incredible leader who never complains, never takes possessions off or drills at practice. It’s just everything you want in a leader. He deserves his name up on that banner more than anybody I know.”

Through the years, the older Snyder has watched Pujols improve his game.

“Frankie has worked tirelessly on his jumpshot and he has developed a jumpshot that he’s consistently making three pointers,” said Snyder. “He still has to work on his pull-up jumpshot. He’s more of a standing shooter, but he’s improved. He has a little pull-up jumpshot in the lane now which is a tremendous help.

“He has a good left hand and right hand And, boy, does that help inside the paint amongst the big guys. He’s an excellent free-throw shooter, tremendous defender, and rebounds for a smaller guy. He is quick, fast, and very knowledgeable.”

Pujols has relished his teammates’ support.

“My teammates are like my brothers whether we’re on or off the court,” said Pujols. “We all grew up together and we played basketball throughout the years since our youth, so we all really have that connection that’s needed on the court for us to succeed this season.

“We all talk to each other in school and sometimes hangout after hours. My teammates are the ones that believe in me and let me have this moment and I appreciate them so much for all of their support.”

Coach Snyder has consistently been impressed with Pujols on and off the court.”

“Frankie is one heck of an outstanding individual in all aspects of life,” beamed Snyder. “He’s a hard worker, he’s polite, he’s respectful, he’s cooperative and he never misses practice. He never gives his hard time at practice. He has been a captain the last two years.

“It’s so good to see him be able to get his 1,000 points. With him missing most of his freshman year, we weren’t sure, but because of his determination, skill, and just ability to want to win and be successful, he made things happen.”