Wow!

No other way to put last night's boys basketball showdown: No. 2 St. Frances 90, No. 3 Calvert Hall 84 in three overtimes.

Here's a few observations from last night's instant classic:

* Nine different players reached double figures and each one no doubt has one particular highlight moment over the course of the game's 44 minutes.

* The game showcased two of the finest big men in the area -- St. Frances 6'7 senior F Terrell Vinson and Calvert Hall 6'8 junior F Jonathan Graham and both brought their best. Vinson scored 26 points, added 22 rebounds and took over the game with six points in the final minute of the third overtime. Graham scored 29 points and grabbed 18 rebounds. Both came up with big shots and also some blocks when they were guarding each other.

* The Panthers started the game making one of five free throws in the first half and finished regulation hitting 11 of 23. But they made five of six in the deciding third overtime. The Cardinals hit their first eight from the line, finished making 21 of 28, but made just two of five in the third overtime.

* St. Frances sophomore point guard R.J. Williams (14 points) was going left most of the game, but hit a clutch layup driving to his right to give the Panthers a 78-76 lead with seven seconds left in the second overtime. Calvert Hall's Donya Jackson hit two free throws to tie the game with four seconds left.

* St. Frances was 9-of-14 (64 percent) from the field in the first quarter.

* After making the pivotal three-pointer at the buzzer in regulation to send the game into overtime, St. Frances junior G Dante Holmes (21 points) fouled out during the second overtime. But he made sure to do his part from the bench with plenty of vocal support and also passing out water bottles during timeouts.

* Who would like to see a rematch in the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference and Baltimore Catholic League playoffs?

-- Glenn Graham