JEFFERSON TWP — On the road. Hostile environment. Key section game.

No problem.

The Mars boys basketball team is used to such venues by now.

The Planets have played many games in front of large crowds this season. That prepared them for what Knoch and its rabid fans could throw at them Tuesday night at Knoch High School.

All Mars did was score the first 10 points, lead 25-1 less than two minutes into the second quarter and cruise to a 75-46 win over the Knights.

“This is a product of them,” said Mars coach Rob Carmody. “I’d like to say I had some special speech. I’d bottle it up, sell it and make a lot of money. Our senior guys tonight were focused.

“You could just see it walking into the locker room. They know the nature of this rivalry. They just came out tonight and were ready from the word go.”

Mars (12-2, 6-0) shot 7-of-12 from the field in building a 21-1 lead after the first quarter. Meanwhile, Knoch was 0-for-11, its lone point coming on a free throw from Marc Vaughan.

By the time the Knights scored their first bucket and their throng of fans finally were able to rise to their feet, it was far too late.

“We knew coming in they have size. They have speed,” said Knoch coach Ron McNabb. “They guard really well and they execute their stuff. Coach Carmody — I’ve been coaching against him for years when I was at Burrell — and he’s always been a good coach. I’ve always respected him.”

Knoch (8-5, 3-3) wasn’t able to match Mars’ athleticism and balance.

The first five Mars baskets were scored by different players and four finished in double digits.

Owen Nearhoof, who has battled a leg injury all season, scored a game-high 19 points.

“It’s so nice to have him back,” Carmody said of Nearhoof. “Really, until we got back from Florida, he’s been playing on one leg or not at all. About last Saturday, he’s back moving.

“He adds such an element for us because he’s a gamer. He’s a varsity quarterback. He wants to shoot the ball in big moments. He wants to be at the free-throw line. He wants to be aggressive and physical.”

Mitch Buzard, who had been in a shooting funk, broke out for 17 points. Garrett Ashbaugh chipped in 13 points and Matt Getsy added 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Planets.

Mars’ guards were perhaps far more valuable to this win on the defensive end.

Ashbaugh held Knoch point guard Austin Miller to four points. Buzard held David Gallagher scoreless on 0-for-7 shooting.

Perhaps worse for the Knights was the fact the poor shooting may have carried over to the defensive end, McNabb said.

“I hate to say that, but some days you aren’t going to shoot the ball well, but you still have to guard,” McNabb said. “Our guys got a little down tonight. I don’t know if we lost a little confidence in ourselves tonight, but that wasn’t Knoch out there tonight.”

For Mars, it was the 20th straight section win. The last time the Planets lost a league game was against Knoch in February of 2011.

Still, Carmody said his players realize nothing has been accomplished.

“I think it was Garrett who said, ‘Hey, we haven’t won anything,’” Carmody explained. “We’re not even in the playoffs. That’s been their focus all year.”

MARS 75

Garrett Ashbaugh 5-8 1-1 13, Owen Nearhoof 6-14 4-6 19, Matt Getsy 6-11 0-0 12, Mitch Buzard 5-8 4-6 17, Josh Goetz 4-7 0-0 8, Ben Erdahl 1-2 4-6 6, Ethan Lewis 0-2 0-0 0, Zach May 0-0 0-0 0, Nick DeCamp 0-2 0-0 0, Adam Bayuk 0-1 0-0 0. Totals: 27-55 13-19 75.

KNOCH 46

Austin Miller 1-5 1-2 4, David Gallagher 0-7 0-0 0, Dakota Bruggeman 6-11 2-4 14, Marc Vaughan 3-10 1-4 7, Chris Kier 1-4 0-0 2, Matt Zanella 6-7 0-0 12, Ben Pfeiffer 2-5 0-0 5, Asa Adams 0-0 2-2 2. Totals: 19-49 6-12 46.

Mars 21 18 17 19—75

Knoch1 10 14 21—46

3-point goals: Mars 8 (Ashbaugh 2, Nearhoof 3, Buzard 3). Knoch 2 (Miller, Pfeiffer)

JV: Mars 51-31

Friday: Mars at Valley; Knoch at Freeport