ADAMS TWP — The three seniors on the Mars girls basketball team have been carrying a rather large chip on their shoulders.

When Lily Grenci, who accounted for nearly half of all the points the Planets scored last season, grabbed her diploma and headed to Siena College, many couldn't wait to hammer nails into the team's coffin.

Nearly a year later, following a 65-19 home win Thursday over undermanned Valley on senior night, the Planets (11-9, 7-4) are one victory from making the WPIAL Class AAA playoffs.

"We were pretty mad that people were not even giving Mars a chance," said senior guard Ashley Lynch. "That's another reason why we were so motivated going into this year. It was like, 'Hey, we are going to prove you wrong.'"

Lynch and fellow seniors Corinne Gressang and Elaine Hasek are on on a quest to prove life goes on after Lily.

The ride hasn't been as smooth as it was against Valley.

Mars scored the first 15 points against the Vikings (1-18, 0-10), who had only six players in uniform, led 26-2 after the first quarter and 33-8 at the half.

The mercy rule kicked in when Mars took a 55-15 lead late in the third quarter.

The Planets opened the section schedule 4-1, but suffered a mid-season lull that threatened their playoff hopes.

"I think we went from no expectations when the first jump ball went up against (North Allegheny) to high expectations all of a sudden midway through the season," said Mars coach Tony Howard. "We're definitely satisfied to be right there to make the playoffs. It's sort of a bittersweet satisfaction because, in-house, we had loftier goals. We thought we really could win the section."

A loss to Knoch began the swoon. Ironically, the Knights stand in the Planets' way again when the two meet next Thursday.

A win and Mars is in. A loss and it's handwringing time.

"We had a devastating loss to Knoch earlier in the season," Gressang said. "We're definitely going to be prepared and focused to get Knoch."

Just being in position to make the WPIAL postseason is an accomplishment.

The Planets have done it with balance instead of relying on one star to produce, as they did with Grenci last season.

"I personally didn't know how far we could make it," said Hasek, who is the second-leading scorer at 11.9 points per game. She had 15 against Valley. "I'm happy with everything and everyone."

The three seniors have all taken on the challenge of being leaders this season. All three are captains and all three have motivated their teammates in different ways, even through the mid-season slump.

"We are a very good team at bouncing back," Lynch said. "We lose one game, yeah, we'll be mellow a little bit, but we will come back that much harder the next game."

Should the Planets get into the postseason, the seniors agreed they could be a dangerous draw.

"You're 0-0," Lynch said. "Anything can happen."

Howard has a simpler reason for wanting to play on.

"We just want to get in and have an opportunity to play another game together," he said.

VALLEY 19Tara Shemenski 1-8 1-2 3, Judy Buescher 0-0 0-0 0, Kelsey Bonk 1-4 0-0 2, Alonta Pitts 3-7 0-0 6, Casey Bonk 1-10 5-6 5, Mariah Hudzick 0-4 5-6 5.

Totals: 6-33 7-10 19.

MARS 65Alexa Lee 4-12 0-0 10, Ashley Lynch 3-4 0-0 7, Elaine Hasek 7-10 1-1 15, Meghan Kelly 2-4 0-0 4, Lizz Tumminelo 1-2 2-2 4, Carly Black 5-10 0-0 15, Corinne Gressang 1-4 0-2 2, Randi Francis 1-4 0-0 2, Brinsley Evanson 0-1 0-0 0, Marley Good 0-1 2-2 2, Kaitlyn Traub 2-3 0-0 4.

Totals: 26-54 5-5 65.

Valley 2 6 9 2—19Mars 26 12 17 10—653-point goals: Mars 8 (Lee 2, Lynch, Clark 5); Valley 0.

Next Thursday: Mars at Knoch