The Game

Let's go MAGIC!

The 2020 Game is Friday, January 31. Doors open at 6 pm, pre-game activities start at 7 pm and tip-off is at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $13 in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets may be purchased online or at Mercy High School through January 23. Tickets may be picked-up at Mercy beginning January 27 from noon to 4 pm, January 28 and January 29 from 8 am to 4:00 pm, or at will-call at SECU Arena on January 31. 

T-shirts ordered online may be picked up at Mercy on school days between January 27 and January 30, from 8 am to 4 pm.

If you have any questions, please contact Mercy Athletic Director Nick Gill.

The Mercy Magic has 30 wins to the IND Penguins' 23. The Magic is sure to make it 31!

See you at THE GAME!

The Mercy/IND varsity basketball game is as old as the Super Bowl. The annual clash attracts the largest crowd for a high school girls' basketball game in the State of Maryland. Often referred to as THE GAME, it began in 1967 as a pre-game to the Baltimore Bullets, Baltimore's former professional basketball team. First played in the Baltimore Civic Center, now known as the Royal Farm Arena, THE GAME moved from there to Mt. St. Joseph High School, then to Loyola Blakefield. Each year's growing number of spectators caused THE GAME to be moved to various college venues, including UMBC and Loyola University Maryland. THE GAME is now played at the Towson University SECU Arena, which can accommodate over 4600 spectators.

This friendly rivalry pairs two premier Catholic educational institutions and offers alumnae, students and supporters a unique opportunity to share and celebrate their storied histories.

More than just another game on the schedule, there is competition between the teams, the cheerleaders, the pep squads, and the students. The players, cheerleaders, pep squads and coaches have a college-level athletic experience, playing in front of thousands of spectators and on a college campus. And it is a chance for alumnae of both schools to make it a homecoming.

The players see themselves as part of an athletic legacy in Baltimore. They are following in the footsteps of 51 years of athletes who were proud to represent their schools. It's very meaningful to the players, students, parents and alumnae. It's the only girls' athletic event of its scope in Maryland.

There are special ceremonies before and after the game. The choirs of both schools will sing their Alma Maters. The players will be announced and cheered onto the court. The cheerleaders and pep squads of both schools will perform. Well-known sportscaster Keith Mills will emcee activities before and after The Game.

There is a trophy ceremony at the end of the game. The winning school receives a trophy which stays with the school until the next Game. Trophies are also awarded to the MVP from each team.