Holy Cross Lady Crusaders Win First District Championship

Posted on March 6, 2019 by The Dunmorean

By Steve Svetovich

Freshman Kaci Kranson scored 18 points and grabbed five rebounds and senior Haley Bestrycki converted a key three-point play with 50 seconds left to lead the Holy Cross Lady Crusaders to its first District 2 Class AA title, 43-38, over Old Forge, Friday, March 1, at Mohegan Sun Arena.

Abbey Lentkowski added 11 points in the title win. Abby Sempa contributed seven points. Bestrycki converted on the three-point play shortly after Kranson hit two clutch free throws in the win.

The Lady Blue Devils (18-6) took a quick 9-2 lead and stayed ahead until late in the third quarter. Then the Lady Crusaders (17-8) started coming back strong under veteran coach Barry Fitzgerald.

Abby Née hit a three-pointer with 2:25 left in the third quarter giving the Lady Blue Devils a 23-19 lead. However, Lentkowski converted a give-and-go from Kranson for a three-point play.

Sempa and Kranson finished off the third quarter with back-to-back baseline three-pointers to cap a 9-0 run for a 28-25 advantage.

Then the Lady Blue Devils rallied to take the lead, 36-35, with 1:11 left in the contest.

However, the clutch Kranson hit two free throws to give the Lady Crusaders another lead.

Twenty seconds later, Bestrycki took a nifty pass from Sempa for an up-and-under scoop and 40-36 Holy Cross lead. Sempa’s free throw with 30 seconds left made it, 41-38.

The Lady Blue Devils missed four shots, but could not score on its next possession of the ball. Lentkowski capped the title win by hitting two foul shots making the final score, 43-38. Olivia Ciullo led Old Forge with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Makayla Parker added 10 points.

The Lady Crusaders will now play Marian Catholic in the first round of the PIAA state playoffs Friday, March 8.

Holy Cross defeated Northwest, 50-25, in the District 2 Class AA semifinal Friday, February 22, at Dunmore High School.

The multi talented Kranson led the Lady Crusaders with 30 points, 10 rebounds and seven steals in the semifinal win.

Sempa added eight points in the win. Freshman Julia Goetz scored six points, hauled down six rebounds, had four steals and dished off two assists off the bench. Kranson scored 19 of her points in the second half. Bestrycki led the Lady Crusaders with four assists.

Holy Cross put the game away with a game closing 14-0 run. Brenna Babcock led Northwest (14-10) with 10 points.

Jill Korgeski Wins Fourth Consecutive Shot Put Title

Posted on March 6, 2019 by The Dunmorean

JILL KORGESKI

Senior Jill Korgeski, center, blew away the field to win her fourth consecutive Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Championship in the shot put while breaking her school record to highlight the second day of the action for the King’s College women’s indoor track and field team recently in Bethlehem.

The senior hit 14.13 meters (46’4.25″) on her fourth throw of the day to score 10 points and earn All-MAC First Team honors for the fourth consecutive year. Jillian is a fourth year Physician Assistant Student and Dean’s List Student.

Jillian is currently seeded fifth for the National Championship to be held in Boston March 7, 8 and 9.

Callejas and Burrier Lead Crusaders to Third Straight District Title

Posted on March 6, 2019 by The Dunmorean

By Steve Svetovich

Caleb Callejas and Kieran Burrier combined for 24 points to lead the Holy Cross Crusaders to its third straight District 2 Class AA title, 46-25, over Northwest Saturday, March 2.

Callejas scored 13 points, including three 3-pointers, and Burrier added 11 points and three steals in the district title game played at the Mohegan Sun Arena.

It was the seventh district championship for Holy Cross (20-5) coached by veteran Al Callejas.

The Crusaders enter the PIAA state playoffs for a 12th straight season and will face Bloomsburg, the third place team from District 4.

Northwest got off to a slow start scoring only four points in the first quarter against a tough Holy Cross defense. And those four points came in the first two minutes of the game.

The Crusaders got hot towards the end of the first quarter. Callejas hit two clutch 3-pointers as Holy Cross scored the final 11 points of the first quarter building a 13-4 lead. The Crusaders never looked back.

Crusader basketball team at Mohegan Sun press conference(Photo Credit: Holy Cross High School Facebook Page)

Burrier then took charge in the second quarter. He scored five of his 11 points. Tyler Mozeleski added added four more points for the Crusaders as Holy Cross built a 22-10 advantage.

Callejas hit on a jump shot and another 3-pointer in the third quarter as the Crusaders built a nice 27-10 lead.

Shortly after, Callejas hit two free throws and Leahy O’Connor and Burrier both scored as the Crusaders lead grew to 33-11 with four minutes left.

The Crusaders forced six turnovers in the third quarter while allowing only one field goal. Walker Yaple led Northwest (15-10) with 10 points. The Crusaders’ Tommy Montefour added six points, including a lay-up and tip-in at the buzzer to end the third quarter.

Holy Cross easily defeated Lackawanna Trail, 55-28, in the district semifinal contest at the Insalaco Arena at Marywood University Saturday, February 23.

Mozeleski had a huge game scoring 16 points and O’Connor added 12 to lead the Crusaders in the district semifinal win over Trail.

The multi talented Montefour added seven points, hauled down six rebounds and had three steals in the semifinal win.

The scrappy Burrier had six points and five assists. James Calciano added six points on two 3-pointers. Patrick Bennie added five points for the Crusaders.

Defense was the name of the game for Holy Cross as the Crusaders did not allow one player from Trail to score in double figures. Richard Helbing led Lackawanna Trail with nine points.