From the Civic Center (1st Mariner Arena) to Loyola and Mount St. Joseph high schools to the Towson Center, this game has packed the stands. Friday night was no different, with a near sell-out crowd packing Towson Center.

“It is unlike anything else. You cannot imagine it,” said IND head coach Tully Sullivan. “It is our Army-Navy. These kids, they dream about this the minute they put a varsity uniform on, playing in front of all their friends and family. It is incredible for me as a coach.”

The loss put Notre Dame at 7-9 in IAAM second division, 8-12 overall.

“Defense is what did it for us,” said Mercy head coach Mary Ella Marion. “We fought and we battled and we finally knocked some shots down from the outside.”

For Mercy senior guard Lauren Moniuszko, it is the first win she has had in the annual event. She also scored eight points in the victory. Khadija Mitchell led Mercy with 15 and Jessica Zikuros also scored eight.

“I have been waiting for this all year,” Moniuszko said. “Hopefully, it will pump us up and we will win some more games and get seeded in the tournament.”

The win for Mercy put the Magic a half-game in front of IND in the second division of the IAAM. Mercy is 12-11 overall and 7-8 in the IAAM.

“It is hard for me even as a coach to keep it under control and keep a level head,” Marion said. “It is the best high school girls basketball in the state of Maryland and it is a very healthy rivalry.”

Put backs

» In the battle of the Carroll?s, North Carroll toppled South Carroll, 55-43, Friday.

» Dulaney continued its dominance in Baltimore County with a 63-36 win over Franklin. The Lions are 17-0 this year.

» Arundel improved to 12-0 in County play with a 79-23 blowout of Broadneck. The Wildcats are 14-3 overall this season.