Packing a punch
ADAMS TWP — As far as one-two punches go, the Mars girls basketball team has quite a formidable one.
Guard Sara Getsy and forward Ali Goetz, both juniors, are averaging 10.3 and 13.2 points per game, respectively.
Goetz is in her third season starting for the varsity team, while Getsy saw significant time as the Planets’ top player off the bench as a freshman, playing as a shooting guard. She broke into the starting lineup last year.
Now Mars’ starting point guard, Getsy’s responsibilities reach far beyond her own scoring.
“She does a good job of knowing when we need to play fast and when to slow it down,” said Mars coach Tony Howard. “She organizes us out there and helps the younger girls remain calm.”
In her second year at the position, Getsy continues to grow within her role.
“I am more comfortable than I was last season,” she said. “I do have to think about getting the other girls involved in the offense, aside from scoring myself. But I am confident in the other players on the floor. Aside from Ali and myself, other girls have knocked down some big shots for us this year.”
Getsy has scored in double figures in six games this season, including a team-high of 17 points against Hopewell Saturday at the Mars Christmas Tournament.
Goetz’s best effort this year was a 23-point night against Montour Dec. 18. She has scored in double digits in eight games and has tallied a double-double with points and rebounds five times so far this season.
“I don’t think about how many points I need to score every game,” said Goetz. “I just have to come out strong and get my teammates involved, get them into the flow of the offense.”
“When Ali drives the lane, a lot of defenses tend to sag on her and she has done a good job of kicking the ball out to her teammates,” said Howard. “She’s gotten a lot of assists that way. The players around her can score and when they knock a few shots down, the defense often becomes hesitant to focus completely on her the next time down the floor.”
At 5-foot-11, Goetz is Mars’ top rebounder. She grabbed 17 boards against Keystone Oaks Dec. 9. She can also hit shots from the outside. Both she and Getsy have drained eight 3-pointers, good for second on the team behind Bonnie Workman’s 12.
Mars (5-5) is currently in a bit of a slump, losing both games at its own Christmas Tournament. But the Planets are still 2-0 in section play entering Thursday’s Section 1-AAA tilt against Kittanning. Four days after that comes a huge showdown with rival Hampton.
Last season, Mars’ only two section losses came against the Talbots, who won the section championship.
“Hampton is still highly competitive and we want to compete with them,” said Goetz. “We want to make a strong run toward the playoffs.”
“We’ve got a lot of talent on this team,” added Getsy. “We should progress as the season goes on.”
