PIAA Class 2A Boys Basketball Playoffs: Hughes led Holy Cross to state runner-up finish

HERSHEY – Former Abington Heights guard Michael Hughes was the leading scorer while running the offense for Holy Cross, which advanced all the way to the state championship game before falling to Aliquippa 74-52 in Class 2A boys basketball at the Giant Center in Hershey March 22.

Hughes led four Crusaders in double figures in the state final with 13 points.

The junior, who transferred after playing for the Comets as a freshman, was the team’s top scorer on the season and in every game of the state tournament.

In Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association tournament games, Hughes averaged 19.2 points. He surpassed 20 points three straight times with 23 in the 72-24, second-round rout of Claysburg-Kimmel, then 22 each in a 62-52, quarterfinal win over Dock Mennonite and a 78-66 victory over Constitution from Philadelphia.

Hughes was the top scorer in Division 3 of the Lackawanna League, leading the Crusaders to a title there as well as in the District 2 Class 2A tournament.

For the seven-game postseason, including district games, Hughes shot 59.1 percent from the floor, 46.9 percent on 3-pointers and 85.0 percent from the line while averaging 20.0 points, 5.9 assists, 4.3 rebounds, 2.1 made 3-pointers and 1.8 steals per game.

Hughes shot 50.4 percent from the floor, 42.2 on 3s and 83.1 from the line for the entire season. He averaged 17.9 points, 4.9 assists, 3.3 rebounds, 2.2 3-pointers and 1.8 steals.

The Crusaders (24-4) often dominated.

The Claysburg-Kimmel game was the team’s fourth straight Mercy Rule playoff game. In it, Hughes hit four 3-pointers while scoring 20 points in a first half that produced a 48-20 lead, then added his fifth 3-pointer during the third quarter.