'THE CLASSIC' IS

Maryvale Preparatory School sophomore and game MVP Rhian O'Connor kisses The Rita Sloan Berndt Memorial Trophy following her team's 45-44 upset over Mercy High School in the 2025 edition of The Classic Jan. 24 at Towson University. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

Maryvale upsets Mercy on late put-back in The Classic

By Nelson Coffin, Special to the Catholic Review

The Classic — the annual showdown between Mercy High School and Maryvale Preparatory School — is doing a pretty good job of finding a niche in local high school basketball circles just four years after its inception.

After what transpired on Friday night at Towson University’s SECU Arena in front of a raucous crowd, The Classic could grab even more of a hold on area prep hoop fans.

Although neither squad boasts a winning record in its respective Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland conference, fans streamed into the facility Jan. 24 to watch the Lions’ 45-44 upset victory.

Maryvale Preparatory School celebrates their 45-44 upset victory over Mercy High School Jan. 24 at SECU Arena in Towson. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

Cayden Reese’s clutch put-back with 5.4 seconds remaining in regulation turned the tide for Maryvale, which won for the first time in the series.

The junior point FINISH READING HERE

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