PITTSBURGH – Losing a nine-point third quarter lead didn’t faze the Mars boys basketball team. The Planets were already prepared.

Mars coach Rob Carmody had built his players’ resolve by compiling a tough schedule.

Nick DeCamp gave the Planets the lead back with two seconds left when he buried a 3-pointer off a pas from John Castello.

Mars then salted the game away at the line, making 21 of 22 free throws in the fourth quarter during a 74-65 win Saturday over Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic during the Don Graham Classic at North Catholic High School.

“This schedule we’ve played, Hampton, Seneca Valley, Montour, Aliquippa and Beaver Falls and now North Catholic, they are getting 10 games in and they are getting comfortable in accepting their roles,” Carmody said. “Overall, I’m thrilled with where we are.”

Mars shot 88 percent (32 of 36) from the free-throw line.

The Planets (6-4) have won two straight heading into a big Section 1-AAA matchup with Indiana (9-1) Tuesday. Mars had lost three of four before this.

Against the Trojans, Mars was led by balanced scoring. Owen Nearhoof (17 points), John Castello (17), Ethan Lewis (15) and Christian Schmitt (14) all finished in double figures scoring.

“It’s definitely a lot of confidence,” Castello said. “We haven’t had that throughout the whole season. A few games we definitely have. It’s good to get those guys more comfortable and get them some more points.”

The Planets led 28-22 at halftime and went ahead 34-25 on a jumper by Nearhoof with six minutes remaining. Then North Catholic (4-5) woke up.

The Trojans went on a 13-1 run on the next three minutes, taking a 37-35 lead after Jon Savulchack intercepted an inbounds pass and converted a three-point play. North Catholic had struggled to break Mars’ pressure in the first half, committing 15 turnovers.

Both teams traded baskets to end the third, when Savulchak, who scored a game-high 20 points, made a free throw to put the Trojans ahead 45-44. DeCamp followed with a trey, then Castello made a layup to put Mars up 49-45 to start the fourth quarter.

It was too much for the Trojans to overcome.

“I just think that’s been our MO,” North Catholic coach Dave Long said. “We fight like hell to get where we’re supposed to be, then we relax and let our guard down. You can’t do that against a team that has the legitimate shooters and athletes that Mars has on the floor.”

Castello gave the Planets energy late. After intercepting a pass at mid-court, Castello went in and put down a two-handed slam dunk to put Mars ahead 55-49 with 5:30 left. He also tried to dunk in the third quarter, but was fouled by North Catholic’s 6-foot-6 center Dominic Robb.

“We felt kind of dead going into the third quarter,” Castello said. “I felt like we needed some energy to get going again. I definitely wanted to get one here. I didn’t want to leave without getting one.”

MARS 74

John Castello 5 7-18 17, Nick DeCamp 3 1-2 9, Owen Nearhoof 2 12-12 17, Ethan Lewis 5 4-4 15, Christian Schmitt 3 5-6 14, Austin Fetsko 0 1-2 1, Nate Sablowski 0 0-0, Brett Kloc 0 0-0, Bailey Trzeciak 0 0-0 0, Ryan Giallonardo 0 1-2. Totals: 18 32-36 74.

NORTH CATHOLIC 65

P.J. Fulmore 0 0-3 0, Timon Gribbin 5 3-5 17, Ryan Kirby 2 2-2 8, Jon Savulchak 5 9-10 20, Dominic Robb 4 6-8 14, Brenden Sefick 1 0-0 2, Tom Hosack 1 0-0 2, Christian Goetz 0 0-0 0, Michael Homza 0 0-1. Totals: 18 20-29.

Mars 14 14 19 27—74

North Catholic11 11 23 20—65

3-point goals: Mars 6 (Schmitt 3, Nearhoff, DeCamp, Lewis); North Catholic 7 (Gribbin 4, Kirby 2, Savulchak)

Tuesday: Indiana at Mars