ADAMS TWP — From the start of her varsity career, Ava Black's effort was never in question.

She's now putting up the numbers to back it up.

Mars' 6-foot sophomore forward tallied a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds as the Planets cruised past Kiski Area, 67-28, in the Section 2-5A girls basketball opener for both teams Thursday night.

She was part of Mars' 8-of-9 effort from the field to start the second quarter, which is when the Planets really started to roll. They led 43-13 at halftime.

Black's numbers came in just two and a half quarters. She left the game in the third period with the Planets holding a 30-plus point lead.

Work in the offseason gave Black a shot of confidence.

“In AAU, I worked on different moves in the post and going up strong,” she said. “That's really helped my inside game.”

Black started as a freshman last year and averaged six points per game. Even then, Mars coach Dana Petruska saw the attitude and effort needed for Black to improve.

“It didn't matter who we were playing, she worked her butt off,” she said. “She never quit and gave me everything she had. She's just a lot stronger and wiser this year.”

That combination is paying big dividends for Black and the Planets. While being a force on the glass, she has scored no less than 14 points in Mars' four games, all wins.

“I'm getting open and getting points underneath,” she said. “This is where I want to be.”

In Monday's win over Pine-Richland, Black made just two of nine free throw attempts. While many frontcourt players struggle from the line, she is determined to improve that area of her game as well.

“I have a routine now. I bounce the ball on my (right) hand after taking three dribbles,” she said.

It worked Thursday as Black was 7-of-8 from the line.

“It gets her into a rhythm, gets her mind off of missing,” added Petruska, who knows what to expect from Black on a daily basis.

“She's a no nonsense-type of kid,” she added. “In practice, she's always focused.”

Black will look to continue her strong play when the Planets visit Gateway on Monday.

KISKI AREA 28

Sam Worthing 1 1-1 3, Karly Keller 1 1-3 3, Lexi Colainni 1 1-2 4, Nicole Hilty 1 0-0 3, Dejah Burnett 4 1-1 9, Morgan Reed 3 0-0 6, Riley Hanan 0 0-2 0, Gianna Rowan 0 0-0 0, Leah Simendinger 0 0-0 0. Totals: 11 4-9 28.

MARS 67

Ava Black 4 7-8 15, Kaitlyn Pelaia 3 2-4 8, Alek Johnson 4 0-0 12, Carly Kern 1 0-0 2, Bella Pelaia 5 2-2 14, Kylee Fredericks 0 1-3 1, Madeleine Horvath 2 3-4 7, Olivia Donnelly 4 0-0 8, Allie Rice 0 0-0 0. Totals: 23 15-21 67.

Kiski Area 10 3 10 5 — 28

Mars19 24 20 4 — 67

3-point goals: Kiski Area 2 (Colainni, Hilty); Mars 6 (Johnson 4, B. Pelaia 2).

Monday: Mars at Gateway