No. 1 Archbishop Spalding (17-2, 7-0 IAAM A Conference) at No. 2 Seton Keough (15-4, 8-1)
When: Sunday, 3:30 p.m.
Key players to watch
Archbishop Spalding: Maggie Morrison, Sr., G (9.5 points, 4.9 assists); Shaquilla Curtis, Sr., F (10.3 points, 7.6 rebounds); Brya Freeland, Sr., G (8.7 points, 2.9 assists); Camille Calhoun, Jr., F (11.4 points, 8.4 rebounds)
Seton Keough: Achiri Ade, Sr., F (16 points, 11 rebounds); Liz Brown, Sr., C (12 points, seven rebounds); Amber Singletary, Sr., G (12 points)
Keys to victory
It took double overtime for Spalding to pull out a 63-58 win when these two met a week before Christmas. The Cavaliers squandered a 19-point third-quarter lead against a strong Seton Keough defense but used clutch shooting from the field and the free-throw line to seal the victory. Expect this one to be close, too. The Cavaliers have been No. 1 all season with a balanced team that also gets big contributions from G Raven Makins (8.7 points) and F Sherae Swinson (9.7 points). With an overall edge in speed and quickness, they like to run and score from all over while the Gators like to exploit their inside height advantage with the 6-foot Ade and 6-4 Brown, who can be tough to stop when they're both on. Last time, Brown struggled, managing just two points before fouling out in overtime, while Ade scored 19. Still Curtis, Calhoun and Swinson can be tough defensively inside, and if Makins or Morrison gets hot from 20 feet, the Cavaliers should firm up the top-seeded spot for the IAAM tournament. If Ade and Brown take over, the Gators could force a tie in the conference race.
OTHER GAMES TO WATCH
Boys basketball
No. 6 Dunbar at No. 5 Edmondson, Tuesday, 5:15 p.m.
No. 2 John Carroll at No. 4 St. Frances, Tuesday, 7:15 p.m.
No. 6 Dunbar vs. No. 1 Patterson at Morgan State, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Girls basketball
No. 5 Poly at City, Postponed, TBA
Howard at No. 12 Glenelg, Monday, 5:30 p.m.
