Senior Matt Lyons leading Holy Cross in big way

Posted on February 5, 2025 by The Dunmorean

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.”

Holy Cross junior Matt Lyons helps lead Crusaders to third straight district title

Posted on March 6, 2024 by The Dunmorean

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.”

Holy Cross forward Matt Lyons steadily improves his game

Posted on March 1, 2023 by The Dunmorean

By Steve Svetovich

Holy Cross Crusaders sophomore basketball forward Matt Lyons has steadily improved his game this season.

At press time, he was a big factor in the Crusaders winning 15 of its first 20 games under veteran coach Al Callejas.

Son of Mark and Eileen Lyons, Matt has picked up on his scoring as the season progressed. He is often in double figures.

“I have been playing more inside,” he said. “I’ve been getting more rebounds and scoring more scrap points off the boards.”

The sophomore stalwart contributed 10 points in his team’s 51-50 win over Dunmore Friday, Feb. 10. Teammates Hayden Hosie and Gabe Gonzales scored 11 points each. Gonzales hit the winner for Holy Cross on a 3-pointer with 30 seconds left.

Matt, 16, has an impressive 3.9 academic average at Holy Cross. His favorite academic subject is history.

The sophomore scholar-athlete said he learned a lot from his parents.

“They teach me to stay humble and treat people with respect.”

Humble in nature, Matt was the recipient of the Presidential Service Award last year. The award goes to a student with at least 100 hours of community service.

Matt is also a member of the Holy Cross track and field team. He performs in all three jumping events and qualified for districts in the high jump.

He praised coach Callejas who was honored in a home court ceremony recently for his own personal fight with cancer. “He is beating it and that’s why they held the ceremony for him,” said Matt, “It was a nice tribute to him. He continues to be at every practice and every game. He is doing well.

He teaches us to never give up. If you never give up, you can do anything.”

The talented sophomore made the Holy Cross varsity basketball team as a freshman, but suffered a fractured left wrist early on. He came back in time for the district playoffs. He is as strong as ever this season.

He talked about the success of the team this season. “It’s all about teamwork, trusting each other ,and finding the open man. We’ve been doing that. No one plays selfish on this team.”

He talked about future goals. “In basketball, we want to win district and state titles. Those are the only goals. As far as academics, I want to continue to do my best and eventually decide what I will do after high school.”

Matt, whose favorite musical artist is Drake, is the grandson of late legendary Scranton Prep basketball coach Jack Farrell.

“I wish my grandfather was still living, so he could see me play. I know he would have loved seeing me on the court.”

Matt said he is enjoying his experience at Holy Cross High School. “It’s been a very good experience,” he said. “The school was very welcoming to me as a freshman. It’s carried over into my sophomore year.”