No. 1 Roland Park (18-2) at No. 2 McDonogh (18-2)
When: Monday, 6 p.m.
KEY PLAYERS
Roland Park: Lindsey Edwards, Sr., F/G; Michala Clay, Sr, F; Jaia Alexander, Jr., G
McDonogh: Danielle Edwards, Sr., G; Dajah Logan, Sr., G; Jameira Johnson, Sr., C.
KEYS TO VICTORY
In what could be a preview of the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A Conference final in two weeks, Roland Park aims to sweep the regular-season series after a mid-December, 55-40 victory. That win over defending champion McDonogh earned the Reds the first No. 1 basketball ranking in school history.
The Reds (18-2) dominated that game by turning defensive rebounds into points. They used a 15-0 first-quarter run and a 40-33 advantage on the boards to power their win. Four players scored in double figures.
To turn that around, the Eagles (18-2) will have to play better defense, keep the Reds off the boards and shoot better than the 26 percent from the field they hit in December.
Their pressure gave Roland Park trouble last time, but not enough. Since the holidays, however, the Eagles have played much better defense and, on Jan. 18, defeated Long Island Lutheran which had beaten the Reds in the season-opening Beast of the East Showcase.
Even so, Reds coach Scott Buckley said after the first meeting he thought his team had another gear left and they likely will shift into it in this clash of teams that haven't lost in 2015.
OTHER GAMES TO WATCH
Boys
No. 2 Patterson at No. 5 Lake Clifton, Friday, 5:15 p.m.
South Carroll at Century, Friday, 7 p.m.
No. 1 John Carroll at No. 4 Mount Carmel, Saturday, 8 p.m.
St. Vincent Pallotti at No. 13 Boys' Latin, Wednesday, 5:30 p.m.
No. 1 John Carroll at No. 6 Calvert Hall, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Girls
Mercy vs. IND at SECU Arena, Friday, 7 p.m.
No. 9 Archbishop Spalding at No. 11 Seton Keough, Monday, 6 p.m.
No. 13 Atholton at No. 14 Howard,Tuesday, 5:30 p.m.
No. 6 St. Frances at No. 2 McDonogh, Wednesday, 6 p.m.