Southern-B coach Meredith Smith called it a "psychological victory."
Dunbar guard Billy Wells said it was the most painful loss of the season, even though the Poets lost two games at the buzzer to nationally ranked teams within 24 hours.
Last December, Dunbar was seemingly on its way to beating Southern, leading by 10 points with a little over a minute left. Some of the capacity crowd of 2,000 at the Coppin Center began to exit.
"Only we knew that we were going to win," said Southern junior forward John Hemsley. "If you were in the stands, you probably would have walked out. But if you were on our bench and felt the intensity that we felt, you would have stayed."
In the most exciting and improbable finish in the area's best rivalry, Southern overcame the deficit and stunned the Poets, 72-71.
That victory lifted Southern into the USA Today Super 25. The Bulldogs would end the season ranked No. 2 behind Oak Hill Academy of Virginia. Dunbar finished No. 5, with its losses coming in the final seconds and possibly costing the Poets a national title.
There won't be any national implications when the Poets and Bulldogs get together tonight at UMBC Fieldhouse at 9 in the finale of the Fuel Fund Classic. The area's top ranking won't be on the line. Nonetheless, it's Dunbar-Southern.
"The kids are looking forward to it," said Dunbar coach Paul Smith. "This is not a revenge game, just an opportunity to play a team that won a state title and is a top-flight program."
The No. 6 Bulldogs (1-2), state 3A champion in 1993 and 4A titlist last season, have struggled so far. Only three players that received playing time last season are back. Unlike last season, ,, when he had a senior-oriented team, coach Meredith Smith is not looking toward tonight as a make-or-break game.
"If we win this game, I think it will have a tremendous tone for the rest of the season," said Smith. "If we don't, I think we have kids with enough character to realize how good they are and what kind of season they will eventually have."
No. 2 Dunbar (3-0) has started well despite minor injuries -- including a 104-83 win over then-No. 4 Walbrook last Saturday at the Tip-Off Mixer at Lake Clifton.
The Poets, feeling snubbed after not being nationally ranked in the preseason for the first time in five seasons, are looking toward tonight as a chance to earn back some of the respect they feel they lost.
"We want to prove again that we are the best team in the city," said senior guard Jeryl Singletary.
In the opener at 1 p.m., top-ranked Lake Clifton (3-0) meets No. 13 Broadneck in a matchup that has been a year in the making.
Broadneck (2-0) was to play Lake Clifton in last season's Metro Classic, but had to pull out because it had three Anne Arundel County league games scheduled and couldn't play a fourth game according to Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association rules.
"We have seen them and there's no doubt they are the most talented team in the area," said Broadneck coach Ken Kamarzek. "We're going to do the best we can and deal with their size."
At 5 p.m., No. 3 St. Frances (4-0), the early favorite in the Catholic League, will face two-time state 2A semifinalist No. 19 Edgewood (1-1).
Highlighting the girls portion is a 7 p.m. rematch of last season's contest between No. 1 Western (2-0) and No. 3 Hammond (2-1).
Last season, then-No. 2 Hammond edged then-No. 1 Western, 61-60, in a game many hailed as the best area girls contest in recent memory.
Hammond went on to win the Class 2A state title, and Western claimed the 4A state championship.
The Doves are led by All-American senior swing player Chanel Wright, who has signed early with North Carolina.
Wright is averaging 23.5 points in Western's two victories. Another key player for the Doves is All-Metro point guard Kimberly Smith, who has signed early with Georgetown.
Hammond, which dropped a 54-50 decision to Lake Clifton in the Greater Baltimore Women's Basketball Mixer last Saturday, is trying to adjust to life without point guard Kacy Williams.
Williams, last season's co-Player of the Year with Wright, is at Georgetown.
The loss of Williams and second-team All-Metro forward Sonia Keiner has left the Bears with holes to fill.
In the other girls game, No. 4 St. Frances (5-1) will meet No. 6 Howard (3-0) at 3 p.m.
St. Frances, the defending Catholic League Tournament champion, is led by All-Metro forward Melba Chambers. The Panthers are coming off a 60-46 Catholic League victory over Mount de Sales yesterday.
Last season, Howard was 9-11 before winning its last two regular-season games. Then the Lions got on a roll in the playoffs, which ended with a victory over DuVal in the Class 3A state title game.
Howard is led by senior Mona Jackson.
Proceeds from the games will benefit the Fuel Fund of Central Maryland, which helps needy families pay fuel costs. Since 1983, when the Fuel Fund Classic was the Metro Classic, more than $400,000 has been raised.
FUEL FUND CLASSIC
Today at UMBC Fieldhouse
Schedule
* No. 1 Lake Clifton boys vs. No. 13 Broadneck, 1 p.m.
* No. 4 St. Frances girls vs. No. 6 Howard, 3 p.m.* No. 3 St. Frances boys vs. No. 19 Edgewood, 5 p.m.
* No. 1 Western girls vs. No. 3 Hammond, 7 p.m.
* No. 2 Dunbar boys vs. No. 6 Southern-B., 9 p.m.
0$ Tickets: $6 advance; $10 at door