JEFFERSON TWP — To qualify for the WPIAL playoffs, Knoch's boys basketball team must manage an impressive turnaround following a 1-5 start in section play.

Friday night was a good start.

Four Knights scored in double figures — led by 16 from Mac Christy and P.J. Gourley — as Knoch led throughout the second half and hung on for a 64-62 home win over rival Mars.

“You could just see it with our kids, they knew that first half of section games was tough,” said Knoch coach Ron McNabb. “After the game tonight, they were happy and I'm happy for them. Hopefully, we can build on this.”

The Planets (10-5, 5-2) were without junior guard Robby Carmody, who is recovering from a sprained right ankle suffered in a game last weekend. He wore a walking boot Friday.

Mars cut Knoch's lead to 64-62 when Cade Hetzler drained a trey with 2.2 seconds left in the game.

Following a timeout taken by Mars, Knoch (9-6, 2-5) inbounded the ball to Austin Hannes, who appeared to be fouled with more than a second left on the clock, but time ran out.

“The referee told me he didn't know we wanted to foul,” said Mars coach Rob Carmody. “I have no idea what that was all about, but it's not the reason we lost. We lost because Knoch's offense did a better job of executing than we did on defense.”

Knoch's rowdy student section stormed the floor to celebrate the win with Knoch's players.

“This was a huge win,” said senior forward P.J. Gourley. “I love playing in front of these fans. Our student section is the best.”

Fifteen of Knoch's 20 points in the fourth quarter came from the free throw line. For the game, the Knights were 25-of-30. Gourley was 14-of-18 from the line.

It was Gourley's seventh game back after a concussion sustained in the preseason. He added 10 rebounds against Mars.

“I'm back to 100 percent,” he said.

“We were expecting a lot from P.J. because he had a good summer and fall,” said McNabb. “Then he has that concussion, but he's working his way back.”

Despite not having Robby Carmody, who was averaging 33 points and 12 rebounds per section contest before his injury — the Planets had several impressive offensive runs that kept them in the game.

“Four weeks ago, we played Knoch with Robby and we scored 61 (in a 61-52 win),” said Coach Carmody. “Tonight, we score 62 without him. He obviously adds a different element on defense when he is in there, but we got lost on screens tonight and didn't rebound well. That's a recipe for a loss.”

In the third period, Mars outrebounded the Knights 17-7. In the other three quarters combined, Knoch held a 26-11 edge.

“Having Mac and P.J., those guys are ball-hawks,” said McNabb. “We put a lot of emphasis on rebounding. It's all about desire.”

Also scoring in double digits for Knoch were Devin Campbell (14) and Hannes (13).

Andrew Recchia led Mars with 20 points. Michael Carmody added 14 and Ben Lewis 11.

“I told our kids, we are still in good shape. Both of our losses have come on the road,” Coach Carmody said. “I am proud of the way we fought tonight. We'll just keep working.”

Coach Carmody would not give a timetable for Robby Carmody's return, but did say, “He will get back. He's working his tail off in rehab. It's killing him not being in there. He feels like he's letting his buddies down.”

MARS 62

Cade Hetzler 3 2-4 9, Andrew Recchia 8 2-5 20, Jerry Stoddart 1 0-0 2, Ben Lewis 3 4-6 11, Ben Perdziola 2 2-4 6, Michael Carmody 5 1-2 14, Max Chizmar 0 0-0 0. Totals: 22 11-21 62.

KNOCH 64

Mac Christy 5 6-6 16, Jackson McKee 2 0-0 5, Devin Campbell 5 0-0 14, Austin Hannes 4 5-6 13, P.J. Gourley 1 14-18 16, Josh Knochel 0 0-0 0, Ben Lucas 0 0-0 0. Totals: 17 25-30 64.

Mars 18 11 12 21 — 62

Knoch21 14 9 20 — 64

3-point goals: Mars 7 (Carmody 3, Recchia 2, Lewis, Hetzler); Knoch 5 (Campbell 4, McKee).

Tuesday: Allderdice at Mars; Knoch at West Allegheny