Basketball Recap: Nafi Balde's Big Game Can't Quite Lead Holy Cross over St. Joseph Hill Academy

Holy Cross was not able to break out of their rough patch on Saturday as the team picked up their 12th straight loss dating back to last season. They took a 52-42 hit to the loss column at the hands of the St. Joseph Hill Academy Hilltoppers. The result was an unpleasant reminder to the Knights of the 56-43 defeat they experienced in the pair's previous head-to-head fixture back in February of 2023.

Holy Cross lost despite a true team effort on offense, the best among them being Nafi Balde, who posted eight points in addition to 13 rebounds and four blocks. Those four blocks gave Balde a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Jeeanna Pierantoni, who put up 20 points.

Knights

Previous Games

01/04/25 vs St. Joseph Hill Academy	42-52
12/28/24 vs St. Anthony's	37-49
12/27/24 vs Caravel	40-57
12/23/24 @ Nazareth	47-77
12/18/24 vs Monsignor McClancy	45-53
+ 7 more games

Even though they lost, Holy Cross smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 12 offensive boards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least eight offensive rebounds in 36 consecutive games dating back to last season.

Holy Cross' loss dropped their record down to 0-11. As for St. Joseph Hill Academy, they pushed their record up to 4-3 with the victory, which was their eighth straight on the road dating back to last season.

Holy Cross won't have much time to rest: their next matchup is against Sacred Heart Academy at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday. As for St. Joseph Hill Academy, they will square off against St. Edmund Prep at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday.