string together a pair of high-quality victories and land the first-place trophy, which could prove a turning point in the entire season.
It all started in last Monday’s opening round, against Camden, whose 3-1 mark and Class A status did not faze the Mustangs one bit as it surprised the Blue Devils 50-45.
They would go back and forth throughout the first half, neither side gaining any long-term momentum, which had to encourage Marcellus as it seized a 22-21 halftime lead.
Even though the margin grew to 38-33 by the fourth quarter, the Mustangs still needed a huge fourth quarter from Melissa Lee to fend off Camden’s comeback attempts.
Of Lee’s 18 points, 10 of them came in that final period as she carried Marcellus along. Prior to that, Kate Gosson had produced 13 points, while Christa Rockburn (six points) and Emily Hunt (five points) helped, too. For Camden, Lindsay Jones had 17 points and Ashley Roser added 16 points.
Marcellus didn’t stop there, either, as it took on Fulton in Tuesday’s championship game and, with a stirring late comeback, beat the Red Raiders 43-38 in overtime.
For the Mustangs, little worked in the first three periods as Fulton controlled the game on the defensive side. Still, the Red Raiders could not put the game away, leaving Marcellus with a chance as the fourth quarter started.
Putting on defensive pressure and sinking all kinds of clutch baskets, the Mustangs outscored Fulton 17-7 in those last eight minutes to force a 36-36 tie. Then, in the four minutes of OT, Marcellus gave up just one field goal, moving in front and staying there.
Lee again led the way, putting up 14 points, while Gosson gained nine points and Megan Tock added six points. Fulton’s Mikayla Kemp led her side with 12 points. Canton outlasted Camden 66-63 in the consolation game despite the Blue Devils’ Roser scoring 26 points.
Marcellus takes this newfound confidence to Westhill Tuesday night as it meets the undefeated Warriors before hosting Solvay next Friday night.
