Accentuate the positive
ADAMS TWP — The final score might not reflect the positives Mars girls basketball coach Tony Howard saw in his team Monday night, but they were there nonetheless.
Playing Mount Lebanon, an undefeated Quad A team, the Planets were in the game into the second half before the Blue Devils pulled away for a 68-41 win that was the regular season finale for both squads.
"Mount Lebanon plays intense and I thought we matched that tonight," said Howard. "We played hard and together, but Mount Lebanon just wore us down in the end."
The Blue Devils (22-0) led 32-21 at halftime and opened the third quarter with a 17-8 run. Both teams emptied their bench in the final period.
The Planets (17-5) stayed right with Mount Lebanon in rebounds in the first three quarters with 20 to the Blue Devils' 21.
Trailing 19-14 after one quarter, Mars held Mount Lebanon to 3-of-15 shooting in the second period, but the Planets managed only seven points and faced the 11-point deficit at the break.
Mars received double digits in points from Lily Grenci (13), Kehle Pelles (12) and Alexa Lee (12).
"If we can play in the playoffs like we did tonight, we can be at peace with where the chips fall," said Howard.
The Blue Devils were led by Emily Miller (17 points) and Madison Cable (15).
Mount Lebanon coach Dori Oldaker has kept her team grounded throughout its great season.
"Being undefeated entering the playoffs was never our goal," she said. "Being undefeated in the postseason is.
"The whole team is the reason we've done well, working against each other in practice," she added.
Mars (10-2) placed second behind Hampton (11-1) in the Section 1-AAA standings.
MOUNT LEBANON 68Emily Miller 7 3-6 17, Jessica Babe 4 1-3 9, Sarah Nydes 1 0-0 2, Chelsea Apke 2 4-6 8, Madison Cable 4 7-8 15, Lauren Arbogast 3 4-4 10, Anna Kestler 1 3-4 5, Kelly Johnson 0 2-2 2, Liz Tommasi 0 0-0 0, Cathy Guerra 0 0-0 0, Rosie McClain 0 0-0 0, Cissy Woodyard 0 0-0 0, Angele Hagy 0 0-0 0, Jessica Wingen 0 0-0 0, Paige Kassalen 0 0-0 0.
Totals: 2224-33 68.
MARS 41Lily Grenci 5 3-3 13, Kehle Pelles 4 4-4 12, Corinne Gressang 0 1-2 1, Ashley Lynch 0 1-2 1, Meghan Kelly 1 0-0 2, Alexa Lee 4 3-5 12, Ally Demetriadis 0 0-1 0, Elaine Hasek 0 0-0 0, Carly Clark 0 0-0 0, Lizz Tumminello 0 0-0 0.
Totals: 14 12-17 41.
Mount Lebanon 19 13 17 19—68Mars 14 7 11 9—413-point goals: Mars (Lee).
JV: Mount Lebanon 52-31 (M-Carly Clark, 9 points).
Next: Mars in WPIAL Class AAA playoffs, TBD
