District 2 Boys Game Recap (Riverside at Holy Cross)

Written by: Jon K on January 30, 2024

January 29, 2024

Fast Start Helps Key Crusaders Win

Holy Cross 54, Riverside 36

DUNMORE – Holy Cross took a giant step toward securing Division 3 honors in Lackawanna League play Monday night with a convincing 54-36 win over Riverside. The Vikings, who rallied from a 10-point halftime deficit earlier this month to take the Crusaders to double OT before falling 68-60, could not erase another 10-point gap that haunted them just 3-1/2 minutes into this one. And when they did manage to trim it to 33-26 less than 90 seconds into the final frame, Holy Cross emphatically slammed the door closed as they went on a 14-2 game-clinching run. Matt Lyons provided the “SLAM” as he scored 8 points in the final quarter. The Crusaders played relentless, tenacious defense all night limiting the Vikings to connecting on less than 25% of their triples (only 4) and they controlled the boards on both ends of the floor. This is definitely the type of effort coaches love to see heading toward February.

Holy Cross jumped out quickly as Austin Bicking connected on a floater in the lane. Michael Hughes and Mario Matrone then netted triples following a Riverside miss and turnover. Hughes’ driving score made it 10-0 at the 5:30 mark. Richie Kostoff finally got the Vikings on the board three minutes into the game. Matthew Godlewski then nailed a trey but picked up his second foul a few moments later. Riverside fans made their presence known inside the cozy gym as Connor McNally hit a fadeaway jumper to make it 13-9. But, Adam Badyrka’s triple at the buzzer gave HC a 16-9 advantage heading into the second period.

The scoring pace definitely slowed down a bit in the second quarter. The Vikes trimmed it to 18-14 as a baseline score by Kostoff and triple by Gerry Rose were sandwiched around a strong drive to the bucket by Bicking. The Crusaders responded quickly with a triple by Charlie O’Malley. Hughes then took control with a drive down the lane following a Riverside turnover. He then added a free throw after another speedy drive through the paint to push the lead back to ten points, 24-14, at the break.

McNally got a nifty feed for a Riverside layup to start the second half before the Crusaders really began asserting control of the boards. Hughes made a terrific feed into Lyons for a reverse layup “and 1” to make it 27-16 at the 4:43 mark. Both teams were getting to the charity stripe as McNally cut the deficit to seven points, 27-20. Badyrka got a fast-break layup before McNally got credit for a HC goaltending call. Hughes scored to make it 33-22 after three stanzas.

Riverside made a final push as Kostoff made a reverse layup followed by a steal and layup by Gerry Rose less than a minute into the final frame making it 33-26. The Crusaders, feeding off the momentum of a Lyons layup and Badyrka triple that rolled around the rim before dropping through, began a game-clinching 9-0 run. While the Vikes could not get any good looks, Lyons netted a pair of baskets, the second sent home crowd fans to their feet with a slam dunk. Brayden Rose stopped the run, momentarily, before Bicking and Hughes also scored (a triple) to make it 47-28. The treys kept flying as Godlewski, Badyrka, and Gerry Rose all connected to make it 50-34. Lyons closed this one out with another slam for the 54-36 victory.

Holy Cross was led by Michael Hughes with 16 points. Matt Lyons and Adam Badyrka both netted 11 points. Austin Bicking, CJ Thompson, Mario Matrone, and Charlie O’Malley combined for 16 points. The Crusaders made 7 triples and connected on 3 of their 7 free throws.

Riverside was paced by Gerry Rose with 10 points. Connoy McNally scored 9 points. Matthew Godlewski, Richie Kostoff, and Brayden Rose combined for 17 points. The Vikings netted 4 triples and made 6 of 8 opportunities from the charity stripe.

Holy Cross now has a 3-game lead in division play with four games left. The Crusaders entertain Mid Valley on Thursday. Riverside looks to get back into the winning column as they travel to face borough rival Old Forge, also on Thursday.