Basketball in the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference and Baltimore Catholic League has featured weekly twists and turns with parity now taking over in both leagues.
One week remains in the regular season, and there's still plenty to be decided as the teams jockey for playoff positioning.
Going into last week, John Carroll had a firm hold of first place in both leagues, but three straight losses have dramatically changed things. While the Patriots have slipped a bit, Mount Carmel and Calvert Hall have surged.
In the 10-team MIAA A Conference, the top six make the playoffs with the first two earning first-round byes. The top six teams have already clinched playoff berths, but seedings are still wide open. The quarterfinals are set for Feb. 10, followed by the semifinals Feb. 12 and championship game Feb. 14.
In the BCL, all eight teams qualify for the playoffs, which will follow the week after the MIAA A Conference playoffs.
Here's a look at the standings in both leagues with the regular season coming to a close Sunday:
MIAA A Conference (playoff teams only)
1. Mount Carmel (22-6) 12-3
2. Calvert Hall (21-5) 12-4
3. John Carroll (22-4) 11-4
4. Mount Saint Joseph (19-7) 11-4
5. St. Frances (20-8) 9-6
6. McDonogh (13-10) 9-7
BCL
1. John Carroll 9-2
2. Calvert Hall 9-3
3. Mount Carmel 8-4
4. Mount Saint Joseph 6-5
5. St. Frances 6-5
6. St. Maria Goretti (16-7) 5-5
7. Archbishop Spalding (4-20) 1-10
8. Loyola Blakefield (4-18) 0-11
Here's a look at some important games this week to determine the final playoff pairings in both leagues:
Mount Saint Joseph at John Carroll, Monday, 7 p.m.
John Carroll at Calvert Hall, Wednesday, 7 pm.
Mount Carmel at Mount Saint Joseph, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Mount Saint Joseph at McDonogh, Friday, 7 p.m.
Archbishop Spalding at St. Frances, Sunday, 3:30 p.m.