ADAMS TWP — The Mars boys basketball team knew it would have its hands full with undefeated Highlands on Friday.

Not being able to get on the same page defensively didn't make it any easier.

An early lapse allowed the Rams to close out the final five minutes of the first quarter with a 15-3 run en route to a 61-49 section-opening win over the Planets.

"I didn't think they did anything different, and that's the problem," said Carmody. "They want to spread you out.

"We failed to communicate on defense. If you do that, you give up the open look. The key to basketball is to shoot uncontested shots, and they shot way too many,"Carmody added.

Mars held a 6-2 lead before a score by Cornell Thomas was followed by consecutive 3-pointers by Dane Porter that gave the Rams a 10-6 lead with 2:31 left in the first quarter.

Dave Petruska drained a 3-pointer to make it a one-point game before Highlands (6-0, 1-0) scored the next seven points over the final 1:25 of the frame to take a 17-9 lead.

The Rams held a 35-28 lead early in the third quarter when they went on a 9-0 run to open a 44-28 advantage.

After the teams exchanged baskets, Mars (2-5, 0-1) bridged the third and fourth quarters with a 12-4 spurt — highlighted by a pair of Petruska 3-pointers — to make it 50-42 with 4:42 remaining in regulation.

Highlands, however, scored the next 11 points to take a 61-42 lead with 47 seconds left. Mars closed out the game by scoring the final seven points.

The loss offset the performance of Mars forward Steve Cress, who scored 26 points and is averaging 23.6 points in seven games.

"He's been outstanding," said Carmody. "He's pulling down about 12 rebounds a game and he's only a junior.

"He's fumbled a pass out there, missed a couple layups, missed a free throw — he left about eight to 10 points out there. He really could be getting 30 points a game, and everyone knows they have to stop him. And he was sick as a dog (Friday),"Carmody added.

On the other side, Highlands used a balanced attack, having four players reach double figures.

Dane Porter and Reece Mabery had 17 points each while Thomas added 14 and Jeff Sinclair 11.

"Almost every game we get someone different," said Rams coach Rick Falter. "Sometimes when we share the ball, we're a good team. If not, we're not as good."

Next up, Mars will play at Hampton, then face Valley, starting the section season with the three playoff teams from last season.

HIGHLANDS 61Damon Porter 0 0-0 0, Jeff Sinclair 5 0-0 11, Dane Porter 6 2-3 17, Reece Mabery 6 3-4 17, Cornell Thomas 6 2-2 14, Cory Ballard 1 0-0 2, Seth Edwards 0 0-0 0, Jeff Campbell 0 0-0 0, Bobby Marchi 0 0-0 0.

Totals: 24 7-9 61.

MARS 49Chris Herold 1 1-4 3, Dan Colbert 0 0-0 0, D.J. Cannon 1 0-2 2, Vinny Smith 4 1-1 9, Steve Cress 10 5-6 26, Ryan Schroth 0 0-0 0, Dave Petruska 3 0-0 9, Ryan Nearhoof 0 0-0 0.

Totals: 19 7-13 49.

Highlands 17 14 17 13—61Mars 9 12 16 12—493-point goals: Dane Porter 3, Mabery 2, Sinclair; Petruska 3, Cress

JV: Mars, 61-58

Tuesday: Mars at Hampton