Every week of this basketball season, McDonogh or Roland Park has been the No. 1 ranked girls team -- McDonogh for five weeks, Roland Park for six.
Sunday, they'll settle the question of who's really No. 1 when they meet, for the second straight year, in the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A Conference championship at 5 p.m. at Stevenson University.
The defending champion Eagles (24-3) started the season at No. 1, but the Reds (21-4) seized the top spot for the first time in school history with a 55-40 victory over McDonogh in December. Their reign lasted six weeks until they lost to No. 8 Seton Keough on Jan. 30 and McDonogh climbed back to No. 1. The Eagles proved they deserved the jump by beating the Reds, 56-45, on Feb. 2.
Even though the No. 2-ranked team won both times, Reds coach Scott Buckley didn't think either game was an upset, partly because each won at home but also because of the winners' defensive intensity.
"The first time, we were coming off losing to them in the (2014) championship," Buckley said, "and our intensity level, especially on the defensive end, I think was greater than theirs. The second time, they were coming off losing to us and I felt their defesive intensity was greater than ours.
"This time, I think it will be equal. I think it will be a pretty good defensive game by both teams. We both like to defend and we both really know that's a key to winning the game."
Even though they're ranked No. 2, the Reds are the top seed in the tournament, because McDonogh also stumbled late, falling to St. Frances 52-51 last week. That loss gave the Reds the top seed, because the tie breaker was their records against the third-place team, St. Frances. The Reds swept the Panthers and McDonogh split. That meant McDonogh had to get past St. Frances to reach the final.
Thursday night, the Eagles didn't have much trouble, winning 57-41. At the same time, the Reds rolled over No. 12 Archbishop Spalding, 70-44. The rematch was on.
In last year's title game, McDonogh beat the Reds, 57-46, after outscoring them 25-5 in the final 13 minutes. Afterward, Eagles guard Dajah Logan said their experience in the title game helped them win their second A Conference crown in three years.
They won't have that edge this time. After Thursday's impressive semifinal performances, both teams are ready. They were tested by each other, by last season's tournament finale and by schedules that included not only a tough A Conference schedule but some of the area's best public school teams and some top out-of-town competition.
"It's going to be tough," McDonogh coach Brad Rees said. "The last game (between McDonogh and Roland Park), I thought, was one of the best high school girls games I've seen in a long time, just a great game regardless of the outcome."
Both score a lot of points running the floor. Both use pressure and rebounding on the defensive end to start those breaks -- something that will be a bit more challenging on the larger college court.
Both have strong back courts but look to the inside game as a critical difference maker. Buckley said rebounding will be key for his team. Although they rely on seniors Michala Clay, a 6-1 forward, and Lindsey Edwards, a 5-10 All-Metro forward-guard, to battle inside, all of the Reds can rebound.
To contend with Roland Park's quickness inside, the Eagles need steady games from 6-foot-2 senior center Jameira Johnson, who played stifling defense against St. Frances, and 6-foot junior forward Andrea Robinson.
In the back court, McDonogh senior point guard Danielle Edwards, last season's All-Metro Player of the Year, gives the Eagles an edge while All-Metro senior Logan can penetrate or shoot the 3-pointer. Two young guards, sophomore Kolbi Green and freshman Taleah Dixon have similar versatility, if not size.
Like Danielle Edwards, Reds junior guard Jaia Alexander can take over a game with her ability to drive or pull up for a 3-pointer. Senior guard Ryan Holder doesn't always score a lot of points but brings the ball-handling glue that holds the team together while sophomore forward-guard Jeydah Johnson is a prime 3-point threat.
Although one or two individual matchups often make a difference, Buckley said that's not the case with these teams.
"I would have said yes a couple years ago, but I think both teams have really developed players and both teams have a lot of options," Buckley said.
"Everybody's just going to have to play their individual man, whoever that is, and have some good help defense and see who [the difference maker] is. For us, it could be anybody stepping up and McDonogh has showed that they've got some people who can step up other than Danielle. You've just got to play everybody like they're the player."