If Wednesday night -- when No. 5 St.Frances knocked off No. 1 Seton Keough, 70-62, in overtime -- is any indication, then fans of girls basketball can expect a lot of excitement in the IAAM A Conference this season.

The game had late-season intensity with hassling defense and players stepping up with big shot after big shot.

For Seton Keough, junior forward Achiri Ade was unstoppable down low with a variety of post moves. St. Frances countered from the outside with senior guard Shatyra Hawkes, whose 3-pointer with three seconds left forced overtime.

Both players carried their teams offensively in key stretches and finished with 29 points.

In last year's IAAM title game, Seton Keough ended the Panthers' run of six straight titles, so the desire to establish ground this season was apparent.

"It's a great rivalry, so competitive and all the kids left everythng on the court," said Seton Keough coach Jackie Boswell, who was also quick to mention how the opposing players displayed their mutual respect and friendships for each other after the game.

While defending champ Seton Keough and runner-up St. Frances appear to be the clear front-runners, the IAAM should prove plenty deep with the likes of Archbishop Spalding and McDonogh also in the picture.

-- Glenn Graham