Archbishop Spalding High girls’ basketball team will try to put an exclamation point on its monster season, participating in the 17th annual Bishop Walsh Invitational in Cumberland. The top-ranked Cavaliers (27-2 overall), who last played Feb. 20, will face a daunting three days of elite competition.

A fourth matchup with Seton Keough could be in the works. Spalding, ranked 11th nationally in the latest USA Today Super 25, beat the Gators three times during the season including a 53-48 decision in the IAAM A Conference Tournament title game at Goucher College.

Spalding opens against Elizabeth Seton from Prince George’s County. The Roadrunners, led by All-Washington Catholic Athletic Conference first-team performer Alyssa Albanese (signed with New Jersey Institute of Technology), won the D.C. City Title game a year ago.

The Gators (19-8), ranked No. 4 in VSN’s Top 20, open against WCAC champs St. John’s (D.C.), ranked No. 18 nationally by USA Today, Thursday afternoon. The Cadets (30-2), along with nationally-ranked New Jersey’s Shabazz, are the only teams to defeat Spalding this season.

The eight-team field also includes Good Counsel (24-3; ranked No. 5 in Washington metro area), Holy Cross (22-5; No. 6 in D.C.), Georgetown Visitation (23-2; No. 11) and tournament host Bishop Walsh.

The finals will be Saturday evening at 6:15 p.m.

2011 Bishop Walsh Invitational

Thursday

First round

Holy Cross vs. Bishop Walsh, 3:15 p.m.

Seton Keough vs. St. John’s College (D.C)., 4:45 p.m.

Archbishop Spalding vs. Elizabeth Seton, 6:15 p.m.

Georgetown Visitation vs. Good Counsel, 8 p.m.

 

Friday

Consolation

Holy Cross/Bishop Walsh loser vs. Seton Keough/St. John’s loser, 2:45 p.m.

Spalding/Elizabeth Seton loser vs. Georgetown Visitation/Good Counsel loser, 4:15 p.m

Semifinals

Holy Cross/Bishop Walsh winner vs. Seton Keough/St. John’s winner, 6:15

Spalding/Elizabeth Seton winner vs. Georgetown Visitation/Good Counsel winner, 8 p.m.

 

Saturday

 7th place consolation, 1 p.m.

5th place consolation, 2:30 p.m.

3rd place consolation, 4 p.m.

Championship, 6:15 p.m.