Marcellus Girls Hoops Clinch First Sectional Title in Nearly 50 Years

Top-ranked Mustangs dominate Little Falls to capture Section III Class B championship

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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The Marcellus High School girls basketball team, ranked No. 1 in the state, captured their first Section III Class B title since 1978 with a decisive 63-22 victory over Little Falls. Tournament MVP Cece Powell scored 24 points and Tenly Baker added 22 as the Mustangs improved to 21-2 on the season.

Why it matters

Marcellus' championship win ends a nearly 50-year drought, marking a significant accomplishment for the program and the local community. The Mustangs have been a dominant force in Section III this season, with their only two losses coming against larger schools.

The details

The Mustangs jumped out to a commanding lead and never looked back, limiting Little Falls to just 22 points in the championship game. Marcellus' only two losses this season have come against larger Section III schools - Class AAA Bishop Grimes/Ludden and Class A champion Utica Notre Dame. The team has also notched close wins against top-ranked teams from Section IV, including a 50-48 victory over No. 2 Susquehanna Valley and a 60-58 win over No. 9 Chenango Forks.

  • The Mustangs won the Section III Class B title on March 7, 2026.
  • Marcellus' last sectional championship came in 1978, nearly 50 years ago.

The players

Cece Powell

The tournament MVP, Cece Powell scored 24 points to lead the Mustangs to victory.

Tenly Baker

Tenly Baker contributed 22 points to Marcellus' dominant performance.

Marcellus High School Girls Basketball Team

The Mustangs, ranked No. 1 in the state, have been a dominant force in Section III this season.

Little Falls High School Girls Basketball Team

The Mounties fell to Marcellus in the Section III Class B championship game.

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What they’re saying

“This championship win is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our players. They've been focused all season on bringing home the title, and I'm so proud of their accomplishment.”

— Marcellus Head Coach

What’s next

Marcellus will face Section X's Ogdensburg Free Academy in the first round of the state playoffs on March 14 at Onondaga Community College.

The takeaway

Marcellus' dominant run to the Section III Class B title highlights the strength of the program and the community's passion for girls' basketball. After nearly 50 years without a championship, the Mustangs' victory is a significant milestone that will inspire the next generation of players.