ADAMS TWP — It appeared as though Mars would have some company atop the Section 3-5A standings.

Then the Planets' eleventh-hour heroics kicked in.

With five minutes left in Friday's game against visiting Franklin Regional, the Planets were staring at a 50-36 deficit.

Andrew Recchia's conventional 3-point play with 4:55 left seemed innocent enough at the time, but it began a 22-3 run that Mars used to pull out an improbable 58-53 victory.

Mars coach Rob Carmody's message to his players prior to the comeback was short and simple.

“I told our guys, 'You got us here, now get us out of it,'” he said.

Mars did not enjoy a lead until Recchia's steal and two free throws put it up 55-53 with 33 seconds left.

With seven seconds left, Franklin's Thomas Merante missed a 3-pointer from the top of the key that would have tied the game at 56. Michael Carmody grabbed the rebound and the Panthers, who had suffered an 8-point loss to Mars in December, was dealt the harsh back end of a sweep.

“It came down to different guys making plays when we needed them,” said Coach Carmody. “As a coach, it drives you crazy that they can't do it for four quarters, but we did what we had to do to win.”

Recchia scored the first seven points of the game-defining run, including two steals that led to a pair of layups.

The Panthers turned the ball over on four of five possessions as their lead continued to melt.

“That first turnover we caused with the press, it seemed to change the tide of the game,” said Recchia, who scored a team-high 22 points. “They (Panthers) seemed nervous after that. Then we got another turnover.”

Panthers' coach Steve Scorpion focused on his team's failures on offense late in the game.

“I thought we played a pretty good halfcourt defense, but anybody can make a layup,” he said. “Those turnovers were the turning point.”

The Planets (16-1, 10-0) were slowed by a lackluster offense earlier in the evening. They were on pace for their worst output of the season, due in large part to making just one of their first 15 attempts from beyond the arc. That string was finally snapped when Khori Fusco drained a trey as part of the comeback with 2:25 remaining.

Defensively, Mars was at the mercy of Panthers' senior guard Nick Leopold for much of the game. He ended with a game-high 26 points.

“He's our top player, our top scorer,” said Scorpion. “He's the heart and soul of our team.”

Leopold scored 14 points in the first half, helping the Panthers to a 30-24 lead.

The Planets received another double-double from junior forward Michael Carmody, who posted 18 points and 14 rebounds.

“Michael is not fancy, but he has been so steady for us,” Coach Carmody said.

Mars and Franklin Regional (13-5, 8-2) faced off in last year's WPIAL title game, with the Planets earning their first district title. Now the two are section foes.

“I have so much respect for them,” said Coach Carmody of the Panthers. “They are so well-coached and their kids play so hard.”

The Planets still have some work to do to clinch the section title, but their latest win says a lot about the team's resolve.

“It showed the toughness and togetherness we have,” Recchia said. “Without those traits, we don't win a game like this.”

FRANKLIN REGIONAL 53

Aiden Wiley 2 0-0 5, Nick Leopold 9 5-7 26, Harrison Neller 1 0-0 2, Johnny O'Toole 1 0-0 2, Adam Rudzinski 1 0-0 2, Logan Summerhill 1 0-0 2, Thomas Merante 6 0-1 14, Michael Klingensmith 0 0-0 0, Matt Cowell 0 0-0 0. Totals: 21 5-8 53.

MARS 58

Khori Fusco 2 1-2 6, Michael Carmody 6 6-6 18, Andrew Recchia 7 8-8 22, Joe Craska 1 0-0 3, Brandon Caruso 2 2-2 6, Zac Schlegel 1 1-1 3, Mihali Sfanos 0 0-0 0. Totals: 19 18-19 58.

Franklin Reg. 16 14 11 12 — 53

Mars10 14 8 26 — 58

3-point goals: Franklin Regional 6 (Leopold 3, Merante 2, Wiley); Mars 2 (Fusco, Craska).

Sunday: Mars vs. Ambridge at Montour