By Steve Svetovich
Sometimes you fall just a bit short of your journey. But when you look back, it was really worth the trip.
Such is the case for the Holy Cross Crusaders basketball team led by first year coach Al Callejas, Jr.
Fighting their way to the state championship, the Crusaders lost to Aliquippa, 74-52, in the PIAA Class 2A title game Friday, March 22, at the Giant Center in Hershey.
It was a season to remember as Holy Cross finished 25-4 in Callejas, Jr.’s first season after replacing his legendary dad Al Callejas, Sr., who retired.
Aliquippa sophomore guard Josh Pratt was too much to handle for Holy Cross in the state title game. The electrifying guard scored 36 points on 14-for-19 shooting. He also had five steals.
District 2 champion Holy Cross finished as the runner-up in its second trip to the state championship game since 2013.
Holy Cross star guard Michael Hughes scored 13 points and added four rebounds in the loss.
“I’m very proud of these guys,” Michael said. “Nobody thought we would be here. These guys worked their butts off every day. It was one heck of a ride.
“I’m very proud and appreciative of my teammates and coaches for all we accomplished this year. Not many people expected us to succeed as much as we did, but we always believed in each other and the results speak for themselves. I will always love my teammates and coaches like family.
“Coach Al, Jr. was put in a difficult position with only one returning starter and filling in the huge footprints of his dad. He is an incredible coach and overcame all of the challenges we faced. He was the backbone to all of our success.”
Aliquippa (26-5) also won a state football championship earlier this school year. The basketball team was physical and confident from the get go.
Aliquippa’s Cameron Lindsay, a University of Pittsburgh football recruit, added 10 points and eight rebounds in his team’s win.
Marlo Matrone added 11 points for the Crusaders. Holy Cross freshman Adam Badyrka scored 10 points, including eight in the final 41.4 seconds of the first half. Despite his buzzer-beating 3-pointer to end the half, the Crusaders trailed, 41-21.
Holy Cross standout Matt Lyons scored eight points, including six in the third quarter. He had two blocks.
“It was difficult for us,” he said. “They played physical and took us out of our rhythm. I think it’s incredible how far we came. Everyone doubted us before the season even started. No one thought we would win the league or district titles. I think we exceeded everyone’s expectations and then some. It’s been an amazing, great ride.
“But even then we didn’t get the outcome we wanted in the end.”
Holy Cross had its nine-game winning streak snapped in the loss.
The Crusaders won the Lackawanna League Division III and District 2 Class 2A titles in Callejas Jr.’s first season as coach. The Crusaders scored more than 70 points in five of their first six playoff games.
Holy Cross defeated Constitution, 78-66, in the PIAA Class 2A semifinal Tuesday, March 19, at Liberty High School.
The Crusaders dominated from start to finish in the state semifinal win. Hughes scored 22 points, and Lyons added 21 while not missing a shot to lead a balanced attack that frustrated Constitution and pushed Holy Cross to the PIAA Class 2A boys basketball final.
Matrone added 15 points for the Crusaders in the big win. Holy Cross freshman C.J. Thompson scored 10 points and added five assists. Freshman Badyrka also scored 10 points.
The Crusaders set the tone by building an early 21-12 lead when hitting nine of 10 shots, including all 3-point attempts.
Hughes scored 22 points and Lyons and C.J. Thompson added 13 each in the Crusaders 61-51 win over District 1 champion Dock Mennonite Saturday, March 16, at Easton Middle School to advance to the PIAA Class 2A semifinal.
Forward-center Lyons had two powerful dunks in the win. Dock Mennonite built leads of 17-11 and 21-16 before the Crusaders mounted a comeback.
Thompson hit on a 3-pointer and Hughes went on his own 9-0 spurt as the Crusaders built a 28-21 lead and never looked back.
The Crusaders were relentless in the third quarter with Hughes, Thompson and Matrone responsible for a 6-0 start that staggered Dock Mennonite. However, Dock Mennonite was able to rally and pull to within, 52-45.
The Crusaders wouldn’t fold. Hughes and Thompson combined for five free throws and Lyons finished the Pioneers off with a slam.
Holy Cross defeated Schuylkill Haven, 70-35, and Claysburg Kimmel, 72-24, to get to the state quarterfinal.
The Crusaders made the state playoffs for the 16th time in 17 years of the program’s existence.
Holy Cross last made it to the state title game in 2008, losing to Beaver Falls.
This marked Aliquippa’s third consecutive appearance in the state final. Aliquippa suffered losses to Devon Prep and Lancaster Mennonite in the team’s previous two appearances.