After falling short in the Archdiocese Championship the past two seasons to St. Joseph by the Sea High School of Staten Island, the Monsignor Scanlan High School Lady Crusaders flipped the script this year, capturing the Archdiocese title on February 20, 2026, with a decisive 65-35 victory and cementing their place among New York City’s elite.

The championship carries special meaning for Head Coach Mercedes Dukes, a former Scanlan standout who once wore the Crusader uniform and now leads the program from the sidelines. Bringing the title back to her alma mater marks a powerful full-circle moment.

“This is something special,” Dukes said. “The last two years we came up short. Our girls stayed committed, stayed disciplined, and earned this moment.”

Although not every player on this year’s roster personally experienced the previous losses to St. Joseph’s, the legacy of those defeats lived within the program. The culture, leadership, and standards passed down through the team ensured that everyone understood the history — and the mission.

That understanding fueled a focused postseason run and a breakthrough championship performance.

Scanlan continues to build at a high level, with multiple Division I prospects developing within the program. The Archdiocese title is a major accomplishment — but internally, it is viewed as one stop along a larger journey.

The Lady Crusaders now turn their attention to the CHSAA City Championship semifinals. Scanlan will take the floor Friday, February 27, at 5:30 p.m. at Xaverian High School, competing for the opportunity to advance to Sunday’s City Championship game.

With confidence, depth, and momentum, Scanlan remains locked in.

“We’re proud,” Dukes added, “but we’re not finished.”

From lessons learned to banners earned, the Crusaders continue to build and the story is still being written.

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Monsignor Scanlan High School contributed this article to The Good Newsroom.