Riverside repeats as District 2 3A Champions
By: John Kotsko | Sportzwire | February 28, 2025 | Photo courtesy Justin Focus Photography
This was the fourth time that Riverside and Holy Cross played this season. Both split their regular season matchups and the Crusaders winning the Division Title. “I think we provided Northeast Pennsylvania basketball community with a great season of basketball.” Said Vikings head coach Josh Aniska. Riverside took the District 2 3A Title for the second straight year with a 61-50 victory over Holy Cross. Gerry Rose had a game high 21 points and Brayden Rose added 14 points for Riverside.
Riverside started off to an 8-0 lead with two three pointers by Brayden Rose and a basket by Nico Antoniacci. After Holy Cross got on the board with a three pointer by Michael Hughes, Gerry Rose hit a three pointer to make it 11-3. The Vikings had a 13-5 lead after each team traded baskets. Mario Matrone hit a three pointer. After Richie Kostoff got a basket, Holy Cross went on an 8-2 run to only trail 17-15 at the end of the first quarter.
Holy Cross tied the game up with a basket by Matt Lyons. Connor McNally hit a three pointer to make it 20-17. Matrone tied the game back up with a three pointer. Adam Badyrka hit a basket to give the Crusaders their first lead of the game. Brayden Rose tied the game up with a basket. Connor McNally hit three free throws to make it 25-22. Colin Farrell hit a three pointer to tie the game at 25 then a Badyrka basket gave the Crusaders the lead back. After a back and forth, Gerry Rose hit back to back threes to make it 33-29 and led 33-31 at halftime.
Lyons tied the game up to start the third quarter then Austin Bicking and Hughes got baskets to make it 37-33 Holy Cross. Gerry Rose scored five straight points to make it 38-37 Vikings. The reminder of the third quarter was a back and forth with Riverside taking a 46-44 lead at the end of the third quarter. The Vikings pulled away in the fourth quarter to take a 61-50 victory over Holy Cross to win the District 2 3A Championship. Michael Hughes and Adam Badyrka each had a team high 15 points.
Riverside 61 Holy Cross 50
Holy Cross
Michael Hughes 15
Mario Matrone 8
Adam Badyrka 15
Matt Lyons 8
Colin Farrell 3
Austin Bicking 2
Riverside
Brayden Rose 14
Nico Antoniacci 8
Gerald Rose 21
Richie Kostoff 10
Connor McNally 8
