Holy Cross Crusaders

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!

The Holy Cross Crusaders have excelled through the first half of the 2024-2025 season with an impressive 8-2 record, powered by standout performances from Matt Lyons (138 points) and Adam Badyrka (135 points, 22 three-pointers). With a team-wide 48% field-goal efficiency and contributions from a deep roster, the Crusaders have proven to be a balanced and resilient squad. As they prepare for a critical second half, Holy Cross looks poised for a strong postseason run.

In a showdown packed with intensity and skill, Holy Cross edged Old Forge 61-56 in a game that epitomized the spirit of high school basketball. Michael Hughes led the Crusaders with 16 points, including clutch three-pointers and steady free-throw shooting, while Matt Lyons added 15 points, anchoring the team’s balanced attack. Old Forge showcased their sharpshooting prowess, draining ten three-pointers, led by Logan Fanning’s 15 points and Cam Krushnowski’s trio of treys. But in the end, Holy Cross’ ability to convert at the free-throw line and execute under pressure proved the difference. Both teams delivered a performance worthy of their records, leaving fans eager for what’s next in this compelling season.

The Holy Cross Crusaders won the 73 annual Lynett Memorial Tournament on December 29 with the help of two very familiar names, Matt Lyons and Adam Badyrka. The Crusaders pulled out the victory 51-35 over the reigning champs in the Scranton Knights, who beat Holy Cross in last year’s final 48-46. Lyons and Badyrka led the crusade this time around, scoring 37 of the team’s 51 points. Lyons also acted as a force on the glass, snagging nine rebounds. Badyrka played his part by knocking down four threes.

Last season, the Holy Cross basketball team made it to the finals of the annual Lynett Tournament, where they came up short 48-46 against the Scranton Knights. This time around, they got back to the championship and have a chance to finish their story after a 69-47 win over Scranton Prep.

The atmosphere was electric at Holy Cross as a packed house of students, faculty, alumni, and fans filled the gymnasium for a playoff-caliber showdown. Both communities—Riverside and the Crusaders—turned out in full force for this highly anticipated matchup, creating a standing-room-only environment worthy of its billing.