Old Mill (8-2) at No. 12 Meade (10-1)
When: Friday, 6:45 p.m.
KEY PLAYERS
Old Mill: Camari Wilkerson, Jr., PG; Brian Denton, Jr., SG.
Meade: Bruce Spruell, Sr., G; Tristan Easton, Jr., G-F.
KEYS TO VICTORY
The host Mustangs have won nine straight games and are atop Anne Arundel County with a 6-0 league mark. With Old Mill right behind at 5-1, first place is on the line with a packed house expected on Friday. Meade has a quality one-two scoring punch in Spruell (16 points per game) and Easton (15) and its depth makes it difficult for opponents to effectively match up. Coach Pete Corriero regularly uses 10 players and any one can step up on a given night. Defensively, the deep bench wears down opponents. The visiting Patriots lean on strong guard play with Wilkerson able to score and distribute equally well from the point and Denton bringing a strong perimeter game. They will be giving up size to the Mustangs at nearly every position, so will need to play strong team defense and box out for rebounds. Both teams like to run, so which one finishes in transition will play a big role in determining the outcome. Last season, the teams split two regular season meetings with both winning at home.
OTHER GAMES TO WATCH
Boys basketball
Dundalk at Hereford, Friday, 7 p.m.
No. 9 Calvert Hall at No. 6 Mount Carmel, Sunday, 3:30 p.m.
City at No. 4 Edmondson, Tuesday, 5:15 p.m.
No. 11 Dulaney at Hereford, Wednesday, 5:30 p.m.
New Town at No. 7 Milford Mill, Wednesday, 5:30 p.m.
Girls basketball
No. 13 Old Mill at Meade, Friday, 5 p.m.
No. 9 Archbishop Spalding at No. 2 McDonogh, Friday, 7 p.m.
South Carroll at Westminster, Friday, 7 p.m.