Milan Brown is a big-game player. On Saturday afternoon, she showed it again on a very big stage.
The Mercy forward scored 20 points to lead the Magic to a 48-27 win over Maryvale Prep in “The Classic” before an estimated 2,500 at TU Arena.
The game, annually played between the schools at Towson University, carries on a tradition that began in 1964, when Mercy played Seton High School at what was then the Baltimore Civic Center. Most of the rivalry has been between Mercy and the now-shuttered Institute of Notre Dame. When that school closed in 2020, ending a cherished 54-year run for the matchup known simply as “The Game,” Maryvale Prep stepped in to carry on the tradition.
Although disappointed in losing Saturday, Maryvale junior Avery Weetenkamp said basketball was not the major reason for the game.
“I’m a competitive person and I like to win, [but] at the same time it’s more than just a game,” she said. “Most people aren’t coming here for the outcome, they’re coming here for the atmosphere and to cheer on who they want to cheer on. It’s just fun to be part of it.”
For Brown, the team’s Most Valuable Player and leading scorer, the game was extra special. One of her baskets late in the first quarter put her over 1,000 career points, and the event was celebrated at center court after the quarter.
“It was super exciting,” Brown said. “To receive the recognition in this atmosphere was awesome. Both crowds going at it. It’s a battle on the court, but it’s also a battle in the student sections. It’s great to bring the trophy home again.”
Maryvale, which competes in the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland B Conference, used a zone in the early part of the game that seemed to frustrate Mercy. The Lions held a 9-6 lead in the first quarter before the Magic, who compete in the IAAM A Conference, got going.
The Mercy defense began to clamp down and held Maryvale scoreless for the final 3:17 of the quarter. The Magic then went on an 8-0 run to take a 14-9 lead into the second.
The Lions used a 3-pointer by Cayden Reese and a basket by Fiona McCormick to cut the deficit to 19-14. Unfortunately for Maryvale, the Magic went on a 7-0 run to end the half and take a 26-14 lead into the break.
The second half was all Brown. The junior scored eight of Maryvale’s 10 points in the third quarter, and Mercy outscored Maryvale 10-7 to widen the lead to 36-21 entering the fourth. From then on, both coaches began to empty their benches.
For Mercy coach George Panageotou, the win was his second in “The Classic” after taking over for storied Magic coach Mary Ella Marion in 2022. He said that winning the game never gets old.
“Maryvale threw us off a little bit with that zone they played. The talk at halftime was we needed to amp up the pressure so we can create turnovers and run-outs,” Panageotou said. “A lot of work goes into this game. It’s an amazing atmosphere for the kids and the fans to come to a college arena. I’m very thankful as a coach that we can do this.”
For Maryvale, the chance to play in “The Classic” was not lost on coach Alex Miller.
“I thought we competed,” Miller said. “If a couple of those shots go in the second quarter and we’d have kept the momentum going, it could have been a little different atmosphere for us. It’s our third year in ‘The Classic,’ and it’s great for us to be here.”
Mercy 48, Maryvale Prep 27
MP — Kelly 8, Weetenkamp 5, Przywara 4, Reese 4, Urban 4, McCormick 2. Totals: 10 1-7 27.
Me — Brown 20, Mooney 11, Paye 4, Hax 4, Panageotou 3, Jefferson 2, Kennedy 2, Birkle 2. Totals: 18 9-15 48.
Half: 28-23, Me