In order to capture the No. 2 seed for the upcoming Washington Catholic Athletic Conference tournament, all the Academy of the Holy Cross girls basketball team has to do is defeat the two team that reside just above them in the standings Good counsel (23-3, 16-0) and St. John's (19-6, 12-3).

The Tartans (20-6, 12-4) appear to be playing their best basketball of the season -- they are riding a nine-game win streak. Still, it will not be easy to earn the No. 2 seed in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference tournament.

Holy Cross battled both of those squads to the wire before falling 51-47 to Good Counsel on Jan. 17 and 52-48 to St. John's Jan. 13.

They actually led the Cadets at the half, 27-17, and by 13 points going into the final quarter before being outscored, 23-6, in the final eight minutes.

“Right now, we're in the driver's seat for the No. 3 seed and if we win out and beat St. John's by five or more points, we can definitely take the second seed,” Holy Cross coach Eddie Simpson said. “Truthfully, all our games are important for us as a team building confidence going into the playoffs.

“If we're able to beat the top two teams, we'll definitely build that confidence. I think right now, we're playing pretty well. We've been able to get all of our players healthy …. I like our chances.”

Leading the team's resurgence has been senior forward Pandora Wilson, who is averaging a team-best 12.9 points per game. She posted 11 or more points in all nine of those consecutive victories, including 23 in a 54-33 win against Archbishop Carroll (D.C.) on Feb. 3.

She's joined by junior guard Taylor McCarley (11.9 ppg) and 6-foot-4 sophomore center Rhamat Alhassan, who is chipping in 10.1 points per game. McCarley poured in a team-high 18 points in the first St. John's contest.

St. John's counters with Mooriah Rowser (19 ppg), Lindsay Allen (13.8 ppg), Tori Oliver (9.2 ppg) and Chania Ray (9 ppg). Rowser had 19 points in the first meeting and she's averaged 24.5 points in her last two games.

jpeters@gazette.net

IF YOU GO

Academy of the Holy Cross (20-6) vs. St. John's College (19-6)

When: Tuesday, Feb. 14, 7 p.m.

Where: St. John's College H.S., Washington, D.C.

Last meeting: St. John's won 52-48 (Jan. 13)