"We're mirror images of each other," Aaron Gilbert said.
The Garfield coach has a point, entering Saturday's showdown with defending conference champion Southeast. Both teams have a 6-1 mark in the PTC County — but their similarities extend beyond their conference records.
It starts down low where G-Men senior Makenna Lawrence and Pirates junior Andrea Radcliff have had stellar seasons.
Both played in the shadow of stalwarts last season. Lawrence played alongside Grayson Rose, now playing collegiate basketball for Northern Kentucky. Radcliff played next to Danielle Norquest, now playing for West Florida.
"Danielle and Andrea battled for the last two years in the gym," Southeast coach Jenny Gamertsfelder said. "Danielle rubbed off on her — her work ethic, moves, grit, being able to be calm in pressure situations. I think all of those things really rubbed off on Andrea. Now, she's finally getting her chance to shine."
Strong post players who played alongside all-time greats last year, both Lawrence and Radcliff have made the transition to greats themselves in 2017-2018.
"She had to bide her time with having Grayson in front of her for these years," Gilbert said. "It was one of those blessings in disguise. Not too many kids get to go against a Division I athlete every day in practice. That helped push her. It helped show her the skill set that's needed."
Through 12 games, Lawrence was averaging 12.2 points per game and 8.7 rebounds per game.
"When we do challenge her, she responds," Gilbert said. "She's always trying to work on things in practice. From a leadership standpoint, I think she does a really nice job. She's definitely our vocal one in practice. I think she's had some good role models."
That included an impressive performance against Ravenna and the brilliant post Lauren Calhoun, with Lawrence notching 17 points and 15 rebounds.
"The big thing we always tell her is she's a strong kid. 'Use that strength down there,'" Gilbert said. "We don't have a ton of height, she doesn't have a ton of height, but use it when you can."
Radcliff has been brilliant all season, never better than her last few games. The Southeast junior has notched three straight double-doubles with 20 points and 17 rebounds in a win over Tallmadge, 26 points and 16 rebounds in a victory over Lake Center Christian, and 25 points and 11 boards in a defeat of Rootstown.
"She is a true champion at heart," Gamertsfelder said. "She knows when the pressure is on. She knows how to turn it up. She's been consistently doing that for us."
Along with a soft shot and great maneuverability in the paint, Radcliff has developed arguably the Portage Trail Conference's most lethal shot fake.
None of that came easy, Gamertsfelder noted. Radcliff came to every single off-season workout. Once, on a beautiful spring day, Radcliff was the only one to show up for an optional lift.
"We worked out together. She got better that day," Gamertsfelder said. "I've seen her work a lot on her inside game and on her outside game, putting in the work and the time in the weight room. She is reaping the benefits right now with all the incredibly hard work she's put in."
Both teams also have guards that play terrific defense.
Garfield freshman Grace Mills was averaging 2.9 steals through 12 games, while senior Kiley Carey was at 3.3.
Southeast, always a defensive powerhouse, has two of the toughest defensive guards in Portage County in junior Leann James and senior Amanda Willis.
While James gets plenty of attention as the Pirates' point guard and a superb talent, Willis' contributions can go unnoticed. There are few markers for eerily good, menacing on-ball defense, after all. But the senior's impact, on and off the court, is clear.
"She does a lot of the things they don't have many stats for," Gamertsfelder said. "She forces a lot of turnovers. She doesn't necessarily get the steal, (but) she might force a player to pick up her dribble a little bit earlier than she wanted to (or get them) to make a bad pass and just get in their heads enough by being up on them defensively."
As the County's biggest rivalry game approaches, with the G-Men set to visit Palmyra Township, Willis has played a calming role, Gamertsfelder said.
"She's so vocal when it comes to that," Gamertsfelder said. "It really shows great leadership. She's learned it from the girls before her and she's continuing to fulfill her duty as a Southeast Lady Pirates player."
That said, as calming as Willis is, there will surely be excitement for one of the biggest games of the year.
"We're excited to finally show what I feel like we've been building up to all year," Gamertsfelder said. "The girls are excited. The atmosphere in the gym, it's a great place to be right here at Southeast."