It would be safe to assume that the Marcellus boys basketball did not take the events of Dec. 11 at Skaneateles with any amount of pleasure.
The Mustangs saw a 10-point lead with less than two minutes to play disappear in a stunning 59-57 loss to the Lakers, and it had the ensuing weekend to stew over that result and resolve to make things right.
Sure enough, when play resumed Monday night, the Mustangs tore into visiting Hannibal and put together an 85-47 victory over the Warriors.
Though it has won each of the last three Section III Class B titles, Hannibal is far removed from that championship era, having seen all of its stars (like Tyler Baker, Jeff LaMont and Brenden Nollet) graduate and head coach Ken Sturges retire.
With an entirely new coaching staff and lineup, the Warriors had limped out 0-2, and it was sure to get little mercy from Marcellus in the wake of the Skaneateles shocker.
Moving ahead early, the Mustangs used a 20-8 blitz through the second quarter to build its halftime margin to 38-20. Not stopping there, Marcellus closed on a 27-9 burst, dominating the flow of play even after the starters went to the bench.
Will Fiacchi had 17 points, while Steve Raven and Will Nolan got 15 points apiece. Luke McNaney had nine points, with Kyle Hastings adding seven points. Alec Nelson (14 points) and Curtis Baker (13 points) led Hannibal’s effort.
As this went on, the Marcellus girls team went to Hannibal and had its best offensive effort of the season as it beat the Warriors 64-43.
The Mustangs actually trailed, 16-14, after one period before moving ahead for good in the second quarter. Even so, Hannibal hung around until a fourth quarter where Marcellus, with a 21-7 spurt, got clear.
Marie Temara poured in 20 points, a career high, with Melissa Lee adding 16 points. Beth Abbott (10 points) also broke into double figures as Emily Brissette earned six points. In defeat, Hannibal’s Taylor Sorell led her side with 13 points.
