ADAMS TWP — Mars shot poorly from beyond the arc and its 6-foot-8 center mustered just four points against undefeated Kittanning on Friday night.

None of that stopped the Planets from cruising to a lopsided win, though — Matt Getsy made sure of it.

The 6-foot-3 senior forward scored a career-high 28 points, grabbed 14 rebounds and led the Planets to a 65-45 Section 1-AAA victory over the Wildcats at Mars High School.

Getsy scored 12 of Mars’ 15 points in the first quarter — including the first 11 — and outscored Kittanning 17-14 in the first half.

“He just went right around us,” said Kittanning coach Bill Henry of Getsy’s performance. “He’s super quick and quicker than our big guys. We didn’t have an answer for him.”

“(Getsy) played unbelievable,” said Mars coach Rob Carmody. “He was the best player on the floor.”

“I’m just so proud of him. He’s worked really, really hard,” Carmody added. “Matt is that guy who is kind of our X-factor.”

Getsy shot 9-for-16 from the floor and drained 10-of-13 free-throw attempts, but directed the credit elsewhere.

“My teammates were finding me in the open spot and I couldn’t pass up the shots,” said Getsy. “It was mostly those guys.”

Mitch Buzard quietly added 17 points for Mars (8-2, 3-0), while shooting 7-for-13 from the floor. Getsy and Buzard were the only Planets to record more than two field goals.

“We have a senior-laden group, so we expect them and they expect themselves to play well and we did not tonight,” said Carmody. “You have to credit Kittanning’s defense for that. They are long, they are athletic and it bothered us a little bit.”

The Wildcats (10-1, 3-1) managed to slow down Mars, but the Planets’ defense was even more stingy.

Kittanning standout Sterling Henry has tallied 20 points or more four times this season, but was held scoreless through the first half thanks to high-pressure defense from Garrett Ashbaugh and Zach May.

Henry finished with 16 points, but shot just 4-for-13 from the field while knocking down 7-of-9 free throws.

“We play great defense,” said Carmody. “Our guys did a great job in the first half on (Henry). He’s a tremendous player. In the second half, he kind of got going a little bit. But even then, we were able to maintain it.”

Mars jumped out to a 14-3 cushion and never allowed the Wildcats within five points. After trailing 27-14 at halftime, Kittanning whittled the deficit to 33-24 in the third quarter, but didn’t get any closer.

“We just missed too many layups, too many free throws and turned it over too many times. Against a good team, you just cannot do that,” said Coach Henry. “We came out in the third quarter and played them even. We came out and kept our heads up, but they were just too good.

“They were making their shots, making their free throws and they took care of business in the fourth quarter,” he added. “You have to give them all the credit.”

Josh Goetz battled through some foul trouble, but the 6-foot-8 senior still pulled down a game-high 16 rebounds, including six on the offensive glass. Ashbaugh recorded a game-high four steals and chipped in six points.

Mars enjoyed a 42-28 advantage on the boards, which is where Carmody said Getsy was most impressive. Goetz and Getsy combined for 30 rebounds alone.

“I really focus on rebounding because that’s what my team needs me to do,” said Getsy. “I just want to help the team win.”

KITTANNING 45

Sterling Henry 4-13 7-9 16, Kevin Barnes 1-4 3-4 5, Eric Hulings 2-6 1-4 5, Jordan Lattanzi 0-0 0-0 0, Vince Mead 1-3 1-6 3, Alek Schaffer 5-10 0-0 11, Noah Kunst 2-7 0-0 5, Nick Bowers 0-2 0-2 0. Totals: 15-45 12-25 45.

MARS 65

Mitch Buzard 7-13 1-2 17, Garrett Ashbaugh 0-5 6-8 6, Josh Goetz 1-7 2-2 4, Matt Getsy 9-16 10-13 28, Zach May 1-8 3-4 5, Owen Nearhoof 2-7 0-0 5, Ben Erdahl 0-0 0-0 0, Adam Bayuk 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 20-56 22-29 65.

Kittanning 8 6 13 18—45

Mars15 12 13 25—65

3-point goals: Kittanning 3-10 (Henry 1-3, Schaffer 1-3, Kunst 1-2, Barnes 0-2). Mars 3-17 (Buzard 2-5, Nearhoof 1-5, May 0-4, Ashbaugh 0-2, Getsy 0-1).

JV: Mars 66, Kittanning 25 (M: Marshall 19, Kloc 15).

Saturday: Mars vs. Connellsville at North Catholic, 3 p.m.