FREEPORT — After 10 days off, Mars' varsity boys basketball team figured to show a little rust.

Not a chance.

The Planets shot 68 percent from the floor in the first half — hitting 19 of 28 shots, including nine treys — in cruising to an 82-46 victory at Freeport Saturday night.

“That break actually did us a lot of good,” Mars coach Rob Carmody said. “It enabled the players to take a deep breath and relax over Christmas and it gave the coaches a chance to step back and evaluate where we're at.”

Where they're at is pretty darn good.

The host Yellowjackets (6-5, 1-3) entered Saturday riding a four-game winning streak, allowing no more than 44 points in any of those contests. Freeport had allowed 48.4 points per game this season.

Mars (7-3, 4-0) had 49 points — and a 26-point lead — by halftime.

“You know you can't get all that back at once,” Freeport coach Mike Beale said. “All we could try to do in the second half is try to chip away at it.

“But when they're hitting shots like that ... That was it.”

The mercy clock ran in the fourth quarter as the Planets took a 74-33 lead into the final eight minutes. The margin peaked at 80-37 with Robby Carmody canned a lay-up with 5:25 to play.

Mars forced seven turnovers in the first quarter and raced to a 20-7 lead in the game's first five minutes. The Planets sank seven of their first nine shots, including four treys. Steve Castello had three of those.

“I wish I could take credit for that fast start, but that's the kids,” Carmody said. “They cane in here ready to play. They stay sharp on their own, even outside of practice. This is a very dedicated group.”

Freeport had 16 turnovers in the first three quarters. Mars began going deep into its bench midway through the third period.

“They're an awfully good team and they're well-coached,” Beale said. “You have to play one of your best games of the year to stay with them and we didn't do that.

“There's a long way to go yet in the season. January is when you play the heart of your schedule. We're confident we can get there (playoffs).”

Saturday's win moved Mars to 4-0 in Section 1-AAA. Five Planets scored in double figures Saturday, led by John Castello's 18 points, eight rebounds, three assists and three steals.

“Everything starts with John,” Carmody said. “He's an all-state player and opponents have to account for him. We adjust everything we do off of that.”

Steve Castello had 14 points and four assists, Robby Carmody 11 points and four assists, Bailey Trzeciak and Sam Morrissey 11 points each. Christian Schmitt had six assists.

Morrissey's production came off the bench.

“Sam's development is giving us another 3-point shooter off the bench,” Carmody said.

The Planets continue to play without senior forward Alex Gruber, sidelined with a leg injury. Carmody hopes Gruber gets cleared to play Jan. 13.

Josh Beale was the only Freeport player in double figures, scoring 17 points. Mason Eddinger had seven points and six rebounds, Kevin Lynch three assists.

MARS 82

Aaron Gruber 2-2 2-2 7, Bailey Trzeciak 4-5 0-1 11, Steve Castello 5-9 0-0 14, Sam Morrissey 4-4 0-0 11, Ryan Giallonardo 0-3 0-0 0, Christian Schmitt 0-4 0-0 0, Robby Carmody 4-6 3-4 11, John Castello 9-12 0-0 18, Nate Sablowski 2-2 0-0 6, Brent Ashbaugh 1-2 0-0 2, Ben Lewis 0-0 2-2 2, Ben Perdziola 0-2 0-0 0, Mike Wright 0-1 0-0 0, Nate Rosswog 0-1 0-0 0. Totals: 31-53 7-8 82.

FREEPORT 46

Mason Eddinger 2-4 2-4 7, Kevin Lynch 0-2 0-0 0, Kris Keppel 1-1 2-4 5, Brandon Hochbein 1-3 3-4 5, Josh Beale 8-13 0-0 17, Evan Schaffhauser 2-2 2-4 6, Gavin Skradski 0-2 0-0 0, Ben Beale 2-5 0-0 4, Derek Jones 0-0 0-0 0, Matt Charlton 1-1 0-0 2. Totals: 17-33 9-16 46.

Mars 24 25 25 8 — 82

Freeport11 12 10 13 — 46

3-point goals: Gruber, Trzeciak 3, S.Castello 4, Morrissey 3, Sablowski 2; Eddinger, Keppel, J.Beale

JV: Freeport, 48-45 in OT (M: Ben Lewis 16, F: Logan Hewitt 10)

Tuesday: Mars at Deer Lakes, Freeport at Hampton