A year ago, Catasauqua’s boys’ basketball team began its trek toward an unlikely district championship.

The Rough Riders began the season dropping six of their first eight games, and any thoughts of winning a district championship were a pipe dream.

But the Roughies rebounded the rest of the way, winning 16 of their next 20 games. They did lose in the Colonial League final to Northwestern, but they downed top-seeded and defending champion Mahanoy Area, 61-36 in the district semifinal before they defeated Minersville, 61-50, in the final.

It was the Roughies first district crown since 2006.

Third-seeded Catty (19-5) will look to defend its Class 3A title when they meet sixth-seeded Lehigh Valley Academy at Executive Education Saturday for a 1 p.m. tipoff.

The Roughies will be led by leading scorer senior Frankie Pujols, who is averaging 16 points per game along with fellow seniors Reece Lopez (12.9), and Hamaad Jenkins (9.5). Sophomore Aalani Nix is averaging 13.1.

Pujols isn’t concerned about playing a team they haven’t seen.

“Playing a new team that we have never played before is different in a good way,” said Pujols. “They have no idea what we do or how we play unless they look at film but that can only get you so far. I think it’s a good thing that we are playing a different team now because we really only play the same teams throughout the playoffs every year, so seeing a team in the first round should be good for us. Maybe we can try different things on offense and defense because they won’t be expecting it.

“They’re in the playoffs, so they have to be pretty good and we can’t take them lightly no matter what seed they are. We’re just looking forward to a good first round of districts and hoping to get the win.”

Jenkins has similar feelings.

“It’s going to be pretty fun playing against a team you never played before,” said Jenkins. “There’s no rivalry background, not really knowing how they play besides film, and how we can defeat their play style, so it’s going to be an interesting game to watch or play.

“I know a couple players on that team and some personally, so it’ll be good to finally play against them. We want to knock them out and make it to the championship again because we really are pretty bummed out about the league championship.”

Lopez sees a win-at-all-costs situation ahead.

“I see the district game like another playoff game,” said Lopez. “If we lose, the season is over and we can’t have that so we know what’s on the line and what has to be done. It’s like a regular playoff game where we watch film and adjust to their defense.”

Lehigh Valley Academy will enter the district playoffs with an overall 10-11 record and losers of eight of their last nine games. They did win their final regular-season game, a 77-66 victory over Morrisville.

The Jaguars are led by junior Anders Heiney, who is averaging 13.1 points per game, and senior Omar Hurt, who is averaging 12.4 points. They finished last season with an overall 5-17 record and didn’t qualify for districts.

Veteran Catasauqua head coach Eric Snyder is confident his team will work its way through the opening-round game. Heiney and Hurt are their main options, but Snyder also pointed out Anthony Azcuidiaz, Journey Scott, and Davien Orozco as other outlets on the floor.

“They appear to be very athletic,” said Snyder. “Their skill level is good, but not great. Heiney is very tough inside and could step out and shoot a three. Azcuidiaz is their point guard who’s very quick, physical likes to drive, but he doesn’t show much of a shooting range.

“Orozco is a good defender, but he doesn’t do much on offense. Scott is a pretty good defender, but again not much on offense. Hurt who was pretty tough around the basket and a good rebounder.

“They played mostly man-to-man defense and a little bit of 1-3-1. They will look to push the ball up the court, but we have to play our game.”