ERIE — They have a big man inside who can dominate. They have quick guards who can all shoot and their scoring is balanced.

Sounds a lot like the Mars boys basketball team. Only that description is also an apt one for Girard, the Planets’ opponent in the first round of the PIAA Class AAA playoffs Friday.

“The word that jumps out is balance,” said Mars coach Rob Carmody when he describes the YellowJackets. “They rebound. All the guys can score. They shoot very well. They are very well coached. They’re 20-5, so, obviously they are doing something right. We’re 21-4, so we’re doing things right, too.”

Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. at Gannon University’s Hammermill Center. By then, the arena should be brimming with throngs of fans from both teams.

Both fan bases are uber- enthusiastic about their teams.

Mars is no stranger to playing in front of big crowds. From the very start of the season, the Planets sought out high profile games against high profile opponents that included Montour, Seneca Valley and Hampton — teams that are in the state playoffs.

Mars lost to Montour in the WPIAL semifinals Feb. 26, but the Planets quickly shifted gears to prepare for the state playoffs, Carmody said.

“Obviously, the first night (after the loss to Montour) was difficult because the kids put so much into it,” Carmody said. “But the WPIAL is more or less a district tournament. When these kids move on and tell people, ‘We almost won a WPIAL title,’ no one will know what they are talking about. If they tell people we played for a state title, people can relate to that.”

Mars is led in scoring by senior guard Mitch Buzard, who is averaging 13 points per game. Josh Goetz, a 6-foot-8 center, is scoring 12.4 points per game to go with 12 boards and Matt Getsy, a senior forward, is popping in 12.3 points per contest.

The Planets are also potent from behind the 3-point arc. Zach May, a sometimes starter at guard, has drained 48 3-pointers. Owen Nearhoof and Buzard each have 35 treys.

“It’s an exciting time of the year,” Carmody said. “We’re in the final 32 teams in the state in our classification. It’s tournament basketball.”

Girard lost in the District 10 Class AAA championship game to General McLane, 47-44.

Joe Swanson, a 6-4 senior, leads the YellowJackets in scoring at 14.8 points per game. Joe Dunn, another 6-4 senior is averaging 11.3 points per contest and 5-9 senior guard Kendall Bonnett is averaging 9.8 points per contest.

Swanson is a post player who has been dominant at times this season. Dunn was the starting quarterback for the YellowJackets’ football team and is an exceptional athlete and Bonnett is someone who Carmody described as “a kid I’d enjoy watching if I didn’t have to coach against him.”

Girard also is one of the best defensive teams in District 10, surrendering just 39 points per game.

“It’s going to start with defense and rebounding,” Carmody said.

Girard coach Darrin Mayes could not be reached for comment.