Holy Cross Crusaders

Claire Helring delivered a standout performance at the plate, driving in four runs on three hits to power Holy Cross past Hazleton Area, 16-7, on Thursday, May 1. Helring launched a two-run homer to left in the seventh, tripled in the third to score one, and singled in the first to drive in another, capping off a dominant offensive showing.

Holy Cross unloaded with 15 hits, including a grand slam from Mia Galella and a three-run homer from Jules Galella, as they rolled to a 15-0 win over Old Forge in just three innings.

Ava Schmidt struck out 15 and scattered just three hits in a dominant shutout performance as Holy Cross blanked Dunmore 6-0 at home Tuesday. Megan Hassaj blasted a two-run homer and Jules Galella had two hits and two steals to power the Crusader offense.

Mia Galella etched her name into Holy Cross history with her 100th hit, while the Crusaders piled on early runs and leaned on Ava Schmidt’s complete-game effort to secure a solid 8-4 road win over Old Forge.

“Limits exist only in the mind.” For Matt Marcinek, these aren’t just words—they’re a way of life. Born with cerebral palsy, Matt could’ve let the world define him by his condition. Instead, he forged a path no one saw coming. Through sweat, science, and sheer will, he became a respected grappling coach, a mental performance expert, and the founder of No Limits Grappling Academy—Scranton’s powerhouse of No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu. His journey isn’t just about martial arts. It’s about refusing to be boxed in. About transforming pain into purpose. About proving that greatness isn’t reserved for the lucky or the able-bodied—it’s earned by those who keep showing up, even when it’s hard. In every class he teaches, every student he guides, and every story of struggle he helps rewrite, Matt’s message rings loud and clear: You are not your limitations. You are your mindset.

Old Forge set the tone early and never looked back, riding a huge first inning and a clean all-around effort to a dominant win. With DiMauro locked in and the lineup rolling, the Blue Devils made a loud statement on their home field.

Jules Galella crushed a grand slam and Ava Schmidt followed with one of her own as Holy Cross used two huge innings to dismantle West Scranton 15-2 in six frames. Schmidt also struck out nine in a complete game, while Lila Kolcharno led the hit parade with a 3-for-4 day.

Jules Galella continued her flawless start to the season, going 3-for-3 Thursday to improve to 6-for-6 overall as Holy Cross blanked Carbondale Area, 12-0. The Crusaders piled up 10 hits and stole six bases in the shutout win.

Meghan Hassaj’s perfect day at the plate and Ava Schmidt’s no-hitter highlighted a 15-0 statement win for Holy Cross over Lackawanna Trail on Tuesday afternoon.

Excerpt: A buzzer-beating three-pointer brought heartbreak to Holy Cross in their 58-57 playoff loss to West Catholic. The Crusaders led most of the way but saw their season end on a last-second shot. Despite the crushing defeat, Holy Cross put on a remarkable display of effort and teamwork that made their school proud.

BETHLEHEM, PA — The Holy Cross Crusaders are marching on. Behind their fast-paced offense, balanced scoring attack, and a historic milestone from senior Matt Lyons, they secured a 63-52 victory over Lancaster Mennonite in the PIAA Class 2A state quarterfinals on Saturday night, punching their ticket to the Final Four.

Holy Cross battled through a tense, back-and-forth matchup against Audenried Charter, holding on for a 58-55 victory to advance to the PIAA 3A state quarterfinals. Michael Hughes led the Crusaders with 20 points, including two three-pointers, while Matt Lyons added 17. Audenried kept it close behind Nathan Lees double-double performance, but Holy Cross capitalized at the free-throw line to secure the win. Now, the Crusaders turn their focus to District 3s No. 2 seed, Lancaster Mennonite, in the Elite 8.

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.

SCRANTON, PA – The Holy Cross Crusaders, ranked No. 2 in Lackawanna Division II, showcased their dominance on Friday night with a resounding 79-39 win over the Dunmore Bucks. Playing on their home court, the Crusaders put on an offensive clinic, sinking 30 total field goals, including 14 three-pointers, while placing four players in double figures.

Holy Cross Stays on Top After Thrilling Win Over Old Forge Holy Cross remains the No. 1 team in the NEPA Elite D2 Small School Boys Basketball Rankings after surviving a tough 61-56 battle against Old Forge. The Crusaders showcased their grit, using a strong fourth-quarter push to hold off the surging Blue Devils. With Riverside continuing their steady climb and Old Forge proving they can hang with the best, the competition at the top is heating up. Can Holy Cross maintain their undefeated streak, or will one of these challengers finally knock them off? The race for District 2 supremacy is just getting started!