By Steve Svetovich
Holy Cross Crusaders 6-6 senior forward Matt Lyons set some big goals for his team this season.
And thus far, he and his team are coming through in a big way.
Son of Mark and Eileen Lyons, Matt was named to the All-Tournament team for the second year in a row as Holy Cross defeated the Scranton Knights, 51-35, to win the Lynett Tournament. Matt poured in 20 points to lead the Crusaders. Teammate Adam Badyrka added 17 points and was named the Lynett Tournament MVP.
“It felt fantastic to win the Lynett Tournament,” Matt said. “It was great for the team and for the school. It felt great to bring the Lynett Tournament title back to the school for the first time in five years. This was one of our team goals and one of my personal goals.”
The rugged, hard-working forward said he and his Holy Cross teammates set the goals high for this season. “Our goals coming into the season,” he said, “were to win the Lynett Tournament, league title, district title and state championship.”
And with one of those lofty goals already achieved, the Crusaders are playing at high efficiency with a 12-3 record, including 6-1 in the conference, at press time.
A four-year member of the Holy Cross basketball team, Matt is also a four-year member of the track and field team. He does the high jump and throws the javelin.
Matt talked about the team’s basketball success. “We trust each other,” he said. “We played a lot of games together over the summer months. We played over 30 games. We had two freshmen and only one returning starter last year. This year we have the experience and know each other well. With the last two years starting together, we figured out each other’s tendencies. We know it like the back of our hands.”
A team player all the way, Matt is one of the leaders on the team. He is averaging over 15 points and over 10 rebounds a game.
A Times-Tribune athlete of the week last season, he is a member of the National Honor Society and has a highly impressive 4.14 academic average. His best academic subject is math.
The tough minded senior said he learned a lot from his parents.
“They teach me respect. Everyone should be treated the same way. Everyone deserves the time of day.”
Holy Cross basketball coach Al Callejas, Jr. also teaches Matt a few life lessons.
“He teaches us about accountability. He makes us all accountable whether the going is good or bad. Work hard and be accountable. It’s a lesson we will be sure to use later in life.”
Matt enjoys listening to music in his spare time. His favorite band is Future, a rap group.
The senior stalwart said he is not sure where he will attend college yet, but would like to study business and play basketball.
Right now, his focus is to help the Holy Cross basketball team go as far as possible.
“We love our chances at winning a state title this year,” he said. “We are excited and expect to be great. We definitely come to play against the better teams. We can beat them all. We will get our ‘A’ game going against the best of them.”
Matt’s late grandfather is legendary former Scranton Prep basketball coach Jack Farrell.
“He was my motivation for winning the Lynett Tournament. I wanted to win it in honor of my grandfather. I know he was looking down proud. It was especially big for me to win it in my senior year for him. I know how much the Lynett Tournament meant to him. It meant a lot.”