Holy Cross girls once again a tough team to beat

There’s a tradition of winning and excellence that has been established by the Holy Cross girls basketball program under Frank Lombardo.
The Crusaders are a perennial NVL title contender, and they also take aim at state championships.
How does Holy Cross do it? Quickly.
The Crusaders didn’t have their best shooting night Monday against St. Paul at The Pit, then again they didn’t need it. Holy Cross got after every loose ball and rebound and worked its way to a convincing 67-50 win over previously undefeated St. Paul.
“They gave me great effort tonight and great hustle,” Lombardo said.
Great hustle could be used to describe many an effort by the Crusaders. After all, it’s the way they’re told to play the game.
“Give 150 percent every day,” junior Idalis Miranda said. “That’s the only way to be successful.”
At times, it seemed like every St. Paul pass was contested, every move restricted. 
“We were so ready,” Miranda said. “All our coach told us was be ready.”
“They play hard and they practice hard, and you see what all that hard work leads to,” Lombardo said.
Holy Cross was ready, and for anyone else to claim the NVL title this season, they will have to go through the Crusaders. Holy Cross also has another goal, and that’s a Class M state championship. The Crusaders are ranked third in the class, just behind undefeated Enfield and undefeated Cromwell.
With the weapons Holy Cross possesses, it could be playing well into March.