Catasauqua head girls’ basketball coach Tara Belfield was confident her team’s zone would help slow Notre Dame’s offense in their Colonial League semifinal matchup at Whitehall High School Wednesday night.

Unfortunately, the Rough Riders’ zone didn’t quite work out as expected.

Notre Dame (20-4) posted its 14th consecutive victory as they edged Catasauqua, 42-38, to advance to meet Lehighton in the league championship Friday night at Freedom High School.

Catasauqua (18-6), which dropped a 38-27 decision to Notre Dame during the season, will be the number three seed in the upcoming District 11 Class 3A playoffs. The Roughies were eliminated in the league quarterfinals last season.

Belfield knew her club came up just short and was hurt by Notre Dame’s long-range shooting.

“We worked hard in practice before the game on our 3-2 zone and getting out on their shooters,” noted Belfield. “We were just a step slow. They hit seven threes ( three-pointers).”

Belfield believed her team played their game. Hailey Jenkins, the league’s MVP, led the Roughies with 22 points, and Kaylin Stewart added 14.

“I don’t think they took us out of our game,” said Belfield. “We talked about the fact that the baseline jumper was going to be open. We just couldn’t hit any shots.”

“Hailey and Kaylin had good games for us, but they just didn’t get any help.”