Defending the Crown: Vikings Outduel Holy Cross, Return to Mohegan
By: Justin Bradley | SportzWire | February 21, 2026 | Photo courtesy Justin Focus
TAYLOR — This wasn’t just a semifinal. It felt like something heavier.
Standing room only. Student sections shoulder-to-shoulder. Every loose ball met with a roar. District 2 Class 3A doesn’t get much better than Riverside vs. Holy Cross and Saturday delivered.
The Crusaders didn’t blink early. They spaced the floor and let it fly. CJ Thompson drilled four threes on his way to 18 points. Colin Farrell added 14. Adam Badyrka chipped in 13. Through two quarters, it felt like a coin flip.
Then the Vikings leaned into who they are to close out the half and continue the juice into the third
Nico Antoniacci finished with 29, not quiet points, not empty ones. Big shots. Momentum shots. Tone-setting buckets. Brayden Rose poured in 28, steady at the stripe and unbothered when the air tightened late. Kyle Connor added 11, giving Riverside just enough balance to avoid becoming predictable.
And that’s the difference now with this Vikings group.
They don’t rush.
They don’t panic.
They respond.
When Holy Cross cut it close, Riverside answered. When the gym felt like it might tilt, the Vikings steadied it. Free throws fell. Stops came in bunches. And a tight semifinal slowly turned into a controlled finish.
Final: 78–67.
For Holy Cross, the loss carries historical weight, the first time the Crusaders will not advance to the PIAA state tournament. A program built on consistency meets a rare abrupt ending.
For Riverside, the road continues.
The Vikings head back to Mohegan Arena Thursday at 8 p.m. to face Dunmore with a district title on the line. Same stage. Same stakes. Same expectation.
And judging by Saturday’s action, they’re ready for it.
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