By Steve Svetovich
Holy Cross advanced to the PIAA Class 3A boys basketball semifinals, losing at the buzzer, 58-57, to West Catholic Saturday, March 22, at Parkland High School, Allentown.
After almost four full quarters of intense basketball. West Catholic sophomore Jayvon Byrd caught an in-bounds pass with a little more than a second left on the clock and drilled a 3-pointer to lift the Burrs to a dramatic 58-57 win over the Crusaders.
It was a heartbreaking loss for coach Al Callejas, Jr. and his Crusaders who were hoping to go to the state final.
The buzzer beater set off a wild celebration and trip to the state final for the Burrs.
Holy Cross (25-5) reached the PIAA Class 2A final last season.
Senior Michael Hughes, who was named Times-Tribune Player of the Week following the loss, nearly delivered a win for the Crusaders.
He made key steal when West Catholic tried to hold the ball for a final shot with 1:30 left in the game with the score knotted, 55-55.
Then after a timeout, Hughes, a Class 2A all-state player last year, drove to the basket in the final seconds and drew a foul. A clutch performer, Hughes swished both foul shots to give the Crusaders a 57-55 lead with 6.4 seconds left in the contest and two fouls to give.
Holy Cross forced West Catholic to chew up time by committing both fouls.
That set up the Burrs underneath the basket with 1.6 seconds left.
Adam Badyrka of Holy Cross then kicked a pass on an in-bounds play, but there was still 1.3 seconds left.
Naseem Perez then found Byrd open and he hit the game winning 3-pointer. The Crusaders collapsed to the gym floor as the basketball sailed through the net.
“I am heartbroken for these kids,” coach Callejas, Jr. said. “They gave me everything they had.”
Holy Cross standout Matt Lyons scored 14 points and had four rebounds in the tough loss. “It was a hard fought game and we gave all the effort we had,” he said.
“The team played great all year. It was amazing to see what we could do after how far we went last year. Getting back to the eastern final, in a higher classification is not an easy task. Everyone left it all out there for what was to be the final game for us. It’s just a shame it had to end that way.”
Adam Badyrka also scored 14 points and hauled down six rebounds. “It was a tough loss, but a great season,” he said.
“The season was unbelievable and a great ride. I wouldn’t want to do it with any other group of guys. It’s tough to go out like that, but it’s a season to remember. This team was special and it’s going to be one to remember. I love this group of guys, the seniors, the coaching staff and the entire Holy Cross community. If not for them, this season is not possible. I hope for the best for all the seniors on their road to the future.”
Hughes, who scored a team high 15 points, reflected on the loss and great season. “The run our team made this year was very fun,” he said. “I made so many memories with my teammates and coaches. I could not have asked to play with a better group of people. I am definitely going to miss the experience.”
Despite losing to Riverside, 61-50, in the District 2 Class 3A final, the Crusaders began the state playoffs with an overtime win over Troy, 72-68. Holy Cross then beat Audenried Charter, 58-55. The Crusaders easily beat Lancaster Mennonite, 63-52, to advance to the state semifinal.
Hughes led the Crusaders with 15.5 points per game this season. Lyons averaged 14.9 points and Badyrka 14.0 points.
C.J. Thompson and Mario Matrone were also key contributors on the team. Thompson was named Times-Tribune Lackawanna League Division II Defensive Player of the Year. Both Thompson and Lyons were named to the All-Defensive team.
Hughes and Lyons were both named Lackawanna League boys coaches’ first-team all-stars.