By Steve Svetovich
Matt Lyons is a big part of the Holy Cross Crusaders success this season.
He is the glue to a team that won its third consecutive District 2 Class 2A title, this time under first year coach Al Callejas, Jr.
The Crusaders (21-3) have won seven district titles since 2017. Callejas Jr. took over as Holy Cross basketball coach following the retirement of his dad, the legendary Al Callejas Sr.
Son of Mark and Eileen Lyons, Matt, 17, scored 14 points and added 11 rebounds in the district title win, 73-42, over Blue Ridge, Monday, February 26, at Mohegan Sun Arena. Mario Matrone led Holy Cross with 20 points. Michael Hughes added 19 points for the Crusaders.
Holy Cross defeated Montrose, 77-44, on Friday, February 23, in the District 2 Class 2A semifinal contest. Lyons scored 16 points and hauled down 10 rebounds in that win. Hughes led the Crusaders with 27 points, including four 3-pointers. Adam Badyrka added 15 points, including three 3-pointers, for Holy Cross.
Holy Cross continues to add to its championship legacy. Since the program began in 2007-08 season following the closure of Bishop O’Hara and Bishop Hannan High Schools, the Crusaders have won 11 District 2 titles.
They are more dominant since the PIAA moved to six classifications, winning seven of eight. Only COVID-19 stopped them in 2021, when the team withdrew due to the pandemic.
Lyons, a 6-foot-6 center-forward, had three powerful two-handed slams in the district title win.
“It’s great,” he said, “I have the whole student section behind me. It gets the energy in the arena going. I love it. Keeping the energy is important.”
The tough-minded and physical junior is averaging 12.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game this season.
He talked about his goals. “I want to keep it going,” he said. “We want to win as much as we can. Our goal is always to win the Lynett Tournament, league title, district title and state title. I also want to be the best possible version of myself. I want to be a good person and become a fine young man.”
A battler under the basket, the junior standout said he learned a lot from his parents. “They tell me to stick everything out and never give up. They tell me to face adversity and never give up. Look forward to the next game and next challenge. Make big time plays.”
Lyons said Callejas, Jr. has transitioned well since taking over for his dad. “He’s really made a nice, easy transition. It’s the same atmosphere and the same plays. He brings his 3-point expertise into our game. Overall though, it’s all stayed the same.
“Coach is determined and strict with the goals to win the league, districts and go for a state championship.”
He talked about the success of the team.
“It is because of the chemistry we built as a team,” he said. “We brought in some young guys and bonded over the summer. We practiced hard and hung out together as a team.”
The talented scholar-athlete also has a highly impressive 3.9 grade point average at Holy Cross. His best academic subject is Spanish. He also is on the Holy Cross track and field team where he competes in the high jump.
The mult- talented junior talked about what it takes to excel in the low post. “You need to be physical and know where the ball is going for a rebound. You need to know where your teammates are on the floor, so you can pass to them after a rebound. You need to know how to play the game inside.”
Lyons said he wants to play basketball in college and might major in business.
In the meantime, he is loving Holy Cross. “It’s been great,” he said. “The atmosphere is great in the classroom and on the court. The teachers are great. The younger guys in the school and on the team look up to us.”
Holy Cross, a basketball program with 588 total wins, now advances to the PIAA tournament. They will open this year against the third-place team from District 11 on Saturday, March 9.
Last season, the Crusaders reached the Class 2A semifinals, losing to eventual champion, Lancaster Mennonite, 51-40.
“Our goal is to keep winning,” said Lyons. “We want to win the state championship.”
