No. 1 John Carroll (21-1) at No. 5 Mount Carmel (17-6)
When: Monday, 6:30 p.m.
KEY PLAYERS
John Carroll: Kimbal Mackenzie, Sr., G; Elijah Long, Sr., G; Malik Tyne, Sr., F.
Mount Carmel: Will Jenkins III, Sr., F; Brian Jefferson, Sr., PG; Frank Webb Jr., Sr., G.
KEYS TO VICTORY
Following Sunday's 93-90 double overtime win against No. 9 Calvert Hall, the Cougars have won 10 straight games to make a methodical climb to No. 5 in The Baltimore Sun's Top 15 poll. John Carroll has been on a season-long roll to take firm hold of first place in the Baltimore Catholic League (9-0) and Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference (11-1), with its only loss coming against McDonogh on Dec. 23.
Mount Carmel and John Carroll are playing exceptional team basketball and that was apparent in the teams' first meeting on Dec. 8, when the Patriots came away with a 57-56 win that was close from start to finish. Mackenzie and Long have led the way for John Carroll with consistent play in the backcourt and a knack for making the big play when called on. Tyne has enjoyed a breakthrough senior season and John Carroll has size and depth up front.
The Cougars (6-4 in the BCL and 9-3 in the MIAA) lean on a balanced offense and a group that works for each other on defense. Jenkins averages a team-high 14 points and they have five others scoring seven points or more per game. Junior center David Erebor, freshman Montez Mathis and top reserve Terry Nolan Jr. give the Cougars plenty of scoring options.
Attention to detail will make the difference and another close game is likely. Team defense, rebounding and controlling the tempo will be key.
OTHER GAMES TO WATCH
Boys basketball
No. 12 St. Frances vs. No. 7 Milford Mill at Morgan State, Thursday, 8 p.m.
No. 7 Milford Mill vs. No. 6 Lake Clifton at Morgan State, Saturday, 8 p.m.
No. 9 Cavert Hall at No. 12 St. Frances, Sunday, 3:30 p.m.
No. 4 Oakland Mills at Centennial, Tuesday, 5:30 p.m.
Girls basketball
No. 6 Poly vs. No. 8 Patterson Mill at Morgan State, Thursday, 3 p.m.
No. 2 McDonogh at No. 5 Western, Thursday, 5 p.m.
No. 7 St. Frances at No. 1 Roland Park, Friday, 5:30 p.m.
No. 11 Seton Keough at No. 9 Archbishop Spalding, Friday, 5 p.m.
No. 3 Aberdeen at No. 8 Patterson Mill, Monday, 6:45 p.m.
City at No. 6 Poly, Tuesday, 5 p.m.
No. 1 Roland Park at No. 4 Aberdeen, Wednesday, 6:45 p.m.