District 2 Boys Recap (Riverside vs. Holy Cross)

Written by: Jon K on January 25, 2025

January 24, 2025

Vikings Get Big Lackawanna Division Victory Over Crusaders in Battle Between Top District 2 Teams

Riverside 50, Holy Cross 41

TAYLOR, PA – After being held to a season-low 29 points a month ago in their first Lackawanna League Division 2 game of the season, Riverside (15-1 overall) buckled down on defense and held Holy Cross (13-3 overall) to a season-low 41 points (well below their 68 ppg season average). Despite their second half offensive woes, 11 total points and missing all 11 attempts from 3-point land, the Crusaders only trailed 42-40 after converting a pair of fast breaks and re-gained possession with 3:23 remaining after forcing a 5-second call. However, their shooting struggles continued as the Vikings protected the ball and used a pair of quick drives to the basket to grab a commanding 46-40 lead as they locked down an impressive 50-41 key win over Holy Cross. The win before a spirited capacity crowd elevated the Vikings into a first-place division tie with the Crusaders with 6 games to go. And with Holy Cross moving up to the Boys 3A Classification this season, fans might get treated to a 3rd or 4th meeting against Riverside.

The first half was a different story as teams combined for 13 triples in a close game. The Vikes held an edge throughout most of the first two quarters with the Crusaders grabbing an initial 3-0 lead and a several 1-point edges in the second period. Riverside went on a 7-0 surge getting treys from Nico Antoniacci and Gerry Rose before Adam Badyrka sank the first of four triples to cut it to 7-6 with 3:27 left in the first stanza. After taking a 10-6 lead, Matt Lyons got a layup off a nifty pass. Brayden Rose then netted a corner triple before CJ Thompson made a sensational driving layup and made the ensuing free throw. Both teams tried going for the final shot of the quarter, but traded turnovers as Riverside took a 13-11 edge after 8 minutes.

Gerry Rose hit a triple to open the second frame (16-11) before Holy Cross went on an 8-2 run as they got back-to-back triples from Badyrka and another layup from Lyons to grab a 19-18 lead. The momentum didn’t last as Brayden Rose sank consecutive triples over the next minute to give the Vikes a 24-19 edge sending their fans to their feet. Once again, HC battled back via a trey by Michael Hughes and Badyrka hitting 1 of 2 FTs (24-23). After teams traded another pair of 3s (Antoniacci and Badyrka), Hughes hit a pair of baskets wrapped around a score by Gerry Rose sending the Crusaders to the locker room with a 30-29 advantage. Overall, it was a well-played half of hoops for both teams.

The second half began with several missed shots and some sloppy play before a putback by Mario Matrone matched the Crusaders’ largest lead of the game (32-29) before Antoniacci knotted the score at 32 with a triple off a Holy Cross turnover at the 6:03 mark. That’s when both teams began to struggle to score over the next three minutes. Hughes converted a pair of free throws to give the Crusaders their final lead of the game, 34-32. Riverside responded with a drive by Connor McNally and tough corner triple by Gerry Rose to take a 37-34 lead. Another putback by Matrone as the buzzer sounded cut it to 37-36 heading into the final frame. But, it was a rough offensive stretch as Holy Cross only had one field goal over the final 6:30 minutes.

Gerry Rose got the final quarter started with a quick 3-point play and then added a driving layup for a 42-36 advantage. After another miss by the Crusaders, The Vikes elected to be patient and take some time off the clock. Holy Cross turned up their defense getting a steal by Hughes and his fast break layup followed by full court layup by Thompson a minute later (4:11 remaining) to cut it to 42-40. The Crusaders then forced a 5-second call at the 3:23 mark but came up short a minute later. On the next possession, Antoniacci got a quick score followed by an impressive driving, athletic layup by Gerry Rose with 1:19 remaining for a 46-40 advantage. Riverside converted 4 of 6 free throw opportunities to secure a hard-fought 50-41 victory.

Riverside was led by Gerry Rose and Nico Antoniacci who both netted 17 points. Brayden Rose contributed 11 points while Connor McNally and Richie Kostoff combined for 5 points. The Vikes hit 9 triples and converted 7 of 12 free throw chances.

Holy Cross was paced by Adam Badyrka with 13 points and Michael Hughes with 11 points. Mario Matrone, Matt Lyons, and CJ Thompson teamed up to score 17 points. The Crusaders made 6 triples (all in the first half) and connected on 5 of 9 free throws.

Both teams are back in action Tuesday night as Riverside (7-1) travels to play Mid Valley (4-4) while Holy Cross hosts Old Forge (6-2).