One team is making a program-first appearance in the state semifinals. The other is looking to win a second straight final four game. Section V champion World of Inquiry faces Section III champion Marcellus, Saturday in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class B semifinal. Here’s the breakdown:
WORLD OF INQUIRY GRIFFINS
(22-3/Rochester City Athletic Conference/ No. 4 NYSSWA)
vs.
MARCELLUS MUSTANGS
(21-4/Onondaga High School League Liberty II/No. 1 NYSSWA)
Saturday, Visions Veterans Memorial Arena, Binghamton 11:45 a.m.
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM LAURA ACCIAIO.
How they arrived here: Top-seeded World of Inquiry defeated Livonia (80-45) and Hornell (65-38) to reach the Section V Class B1 final. The Griffins beat Waterloo (62-53) then topped East Rochester (61-52) in the regional qualifier and Akron (58-46) to reach Saturday’s state semifinal. Marcellus opened the postseason with a win over Sherburne-Earlville (72-42) before beating Little Falls (53-36), Holland Patent (65-51) and Skaneatles (73-48) in the Section II Class B final. The Mustangs then knocked off Section X champion Potsdam (61-49) and Mechanicville (79-55) to clinch a spot in Saturday’s showdown.
Scoring offense: World of Inquiry (67.1), Marcellus (57.5)
Scoring defense: World of Inquiry (52.5), Marcellus (42.7)
Trends: After dropping its regular season finale, World of Inquiry has held its five postseason opponents to 53 points or less. Marcellus has won nine straight heading into Saturday’s tilt.
Players to watch for World of Inquiry: Jaedon Adams–Griffin Sr. (16.2 PPG , 6.2 RPG , 3.7 APG); Kanaz Linder Sr. (16.1 PPG , 7.8 RPG , 2.8 APG, 2.8 SPG); Junayde Dunn – Richardson Jr. (7.8 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 2.2 BPG); Curtis Bell Jr. (13.8 PPG, 3.3 RPG); Devin Dillon 8th (10.9 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 2.1 SPG).
Marcellus: Tucker Burnett Jr. (12.8 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 3.7 APPG); Connor Ciota Sr. (8.9 PPG); Mitch Donegan Sr. (14.2 PPG – 63 3-pointers made); Dominick Gosh-Sandy Jr. (14.0 PPG, 3.6 RPG); Caleb Meyer Sr. (3.3 PPG, 2.0 RPG); Jacob Meyer Sr. (3.8 PPG) .
Coaches: Willie Mason (World of Inquiry), Scott Cotter (Marcellus)
History 101: In its 12th season (started in 2013-14) as a varsity program, World of Inquiry is making its first appearance in the state semifinals. The last Rochester City School District boys’ team to reach the final weekend of the season was Leadership Academy which lost to Westhill (III), 69-53 in the 2015 Class B semifinals. East reached the 2014 NYS Class A championship game before falling to Scotia-Glenville (II), 66-44. Marcellus beat Salamanca (VI), 70-48 in the 2024 semifinals before falling to Stillwater (II), 59-50.
What’s at stake: A spot in Sunday’s NYS Class B championship game against either Woodlands (I) or Carle Place (VIII).
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