No. 7 Lake Clifton (4-0) at No. 2 Patterson (3-0)
When: Friday, 5:15 p.m.
KEY PLAYERS
Lake Clifton: Derrick Green, Sr., F; Gary Jefferson, Sr., SF.
Patterson: Dereck Oliver, Sr., PG: Gary Blackston, Sr., G; Demetrich Williams, Sr. SF.
KEYS TO VICTORY
Friday's showdown will be the first significant test for both teams, so which responds better to the big-game pressure and intense atmosphere will come out on top. Seniors will play a key role. The host Clippers lean heavily on Oliver to provide a calming influence, make smart decisions on offense and hustle on defense. Blackston and Williams are two players he'll be looking for to produce points. The Lakers have one of the area's top one-two punches in Green and Jefferson, a transfer from Archbishop Spalding who has fit in well. In Tuesday's 66-39 win over Dunbar, the two combined to score 39 points — 24 by Jefferson Controlling the boards and executing in the final minutes of what is expected to be a close game will be other big factors.
OTHER GAMES TO WATCH
Boys basketball
No. 12 Poly at No. 6 Edmondson, Friday, 5:15 p.m.
No. 4 St. Frances at No. 1 John Carroll, Friday, 6 p.m.
New Town at Randallstown, Friday, 7 p.m.
No. 8 Milford Mill at No. 14 Woodlawn, Friday, 7 p.m.
No. 5 Calvert Hall at No. 9 Oakland Mills, Monday, 6 p.m.
No. 8 Milford Mill at No. 2 Patterson, Monday, 5 p.m.
Girls basketball
Centennial at No. 10 Atholton, Friday, 5:30 p.m.
Seton Keough at No. 15 Catonsville, Saturday, 3:45 p.m.