Catasauqua’s boys’ basketball team is headed back to the state tournament.

With their 64-57 victory over Minersville Saturday afternoon at Pottsville’ Martsz Hall in the PIAA District 11 Class 3A consolation game, the Rough Riders will open the state playoffs against Audenreid at Philadelphia’s West Catholic High School for a noon tipoff.

Martz Hall has been friendly to the Roughies. They beat Minersville there for the District 11 championship last year.

Catty (21-7) trailed 7-2 in the early going, and they trailed 15-14 after the opening quarter. But the Roughies reeled off a 10-0 run in the second quarter, and they went on to a 26-22 halftime advantage.

From there, the Roughies never trailed, but the Battlin’ Miners kept within striking distance. Senior Frankie Pujols converted a three-point play that gave Catty a five -point cushion with 48 seconds to play.

Sophomore Aalani Nix was one of four players in double figures with a team-high 18 points, Pujols and Reece Lopez each had 13, and Hamaad Jenkins added 12.

Minersville’s Shazier Bethea netted a game-high 39 points.

Catty head coach Eric Snyder was pleased with the showings from his four double-digit scorers.

“Jenkins had an excellent first and second quarter,” said Snyder. “He was driving to the basket, shooting, and pulling up with jump shots, jump shots, and making his foul shots.. Nix had a very good game. He had some nice passes as well in the first half that kept us in the game.

“Pujols started going to the basket, drawing some fouls, and making some very nice passes. Lopez was also driving into the lane, which was nice. He wasn’t relying on jump shots, and he made some really nice floaters and pull up jumpers in the lane.”

Snyder also cited the efforts of fellow seniors Manny Bolmer and Dylan Lorah.

“Manny Bolmer had a tremendous first quarter and a half especially on defense,” added Snyder. “He’s only 5-8, but he hounded their 6-foot four point guard, also Bethea and really made Bethea work. Dylan Lorah stepped up big in the fourth quarter. He had two huge difficult layups on Frankie Pujols’ passes and made two big foul shots down the stretch which were very clutch.”

Snyder was happy with his team’s play on the boards, but he noted their defense will need to tighten in the state tournament.

“We rebounded it very well the entire second quarter and most of the second half,” he stated. “When they made their runs is when we were giving them second and third shots.”