Holy War Turns Late: Crusaders Pull Away, 53–42
By: Justin Bradley | SportzWire | February 18, 2026 | Photo courtesy Justin Focus
DUNMORE — It was tight, tense and right where you’d expect it to be.
Holy Cross and Holy Redeemer were locked at 40 early in the 4th quarter in a District 2 Class 3A quarterfinal that felt more like a championship fight. Then the Crusaders made their move.
Holy Cross closed the game on a decisive run, outscoring Redeemer 14–7 in the fourth to secure a 53–42 win and punch its ticket to the semifinals.
CJ Thompson led the charge with a game-high 20 points, attacking the rim and converting at the line. Adam Badyrka added 11, while Colin Rittenbusch chipped in eight to keep the offense balanced.
Redeemer was paced by Kyairie McLean with 11 points and Kaden Sepkoski with 10 in a physical effort that kept the Royals within reach most of the night.
Both teams finished with 16 field goals, but the difference came at the stripe. Holy Cross went 16-for-19 on free throws, while Redeemer finished 8-for-16, a gap that widened late.
Holy Cross now advances to face top-seeded Riverside in the semifinals as the road to the arena tightens.
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