The season was on the line. And Mars went to work.

The Planets trailed Clearfield 57-56 with 5:58 to play in their first-round PIAA Class AAA boys basketball tournament game at Clarion High School.

“No. 24 (Tommy Hazel) was killing us, so we switched Robby (Carmody) on him, told him he couldn't foul him and had to guard him tightly,” Mars coach Rob Carmody said. “He did a tremendous job on him.”

Hazel led the Tigers (23-3) with 25 points, including six treys, but managed only one point in the fourth quarter. Clearfield didn't score a field goal in the fourth period as Mars (20-6) rallied for a 68-60 victory.

John Castello paced the Planets with 28 points. Robby Carmody netted 17 and Christian Schmitt 12.

Carmody either assisted on or scored each of the Planets' six field goals in the final period.

“It's been fun watching him grow into that type of player,” Coach Carmody said.

Mars' biggest lead in the second half was its final winning margin. Clearfield had a six-game winning streak snapped.

Cody Spaid and Will Myers scored 10 points each for the Tigers.

“There's a reason why that team was 23-2. They're very good,” Coach Carmody said. “That's what happens in the state playoffs. You face teams you don't know much about.

“We had to board a bus and come up to Clarion. We had a good (fan) showing, but theirs outnumbered us. Our kids still fed off the energy.”

Mars will face Strong Vincent — which defeated Hampton — in the second round of the PIAA tourney Tuesday night.

MARS 68

Aaron Gruber 1 0-0 3, Alex Gruber 4 0-0 8, John Castello 12 4-7 28, Christian Schmitt 3 4-5 12, Robby Carmody 8 0-1 17. Totals: 28 8-13 68.

CLEARFIELD 60

Evan Brown 3 2-2 9, Dave McKenzie 2 2-4 6, Tommy Hazel 8 3-4 25, Cody Spaid 5 0-0 10, Will Myers 3 3-4 10. Totals: 21 10-14 60.

Mars 23 14 15 16 — 68

Clearfield22 16 16 6 — 60

3-point goals: A.Gruber, Schmitt 2, Carmody; Brown, Hazel 6, Myers

Tuesday: Mars vs. Strong Vincent, site and time TBA

Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic 63, Union 39 — The Trojans opened the second half on an 11-2 run to pull away from the Golden Knights in the first round of the PIAA Class A playoffs at Gateway High School.

Zachary Offi hit three 3-pointers and led North Catholic with 13 points. Erick Taylor added 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Trojans (19-8).

Lucas Bowser led Union (17-10) with 16 points and 11 rebounds.

Cole Morris pitched in 12 points and six steals for the Golden Knights (17-10).

UNION 39

Cole Morris 4 1-2 12, Hank Murphy 1 2-3 4, Lucas Bowser 6 3-6 16, Gavin Hawk 0 3-4 3, Sutton Varner 2 0-0 4, Dana Logue 0 0-2 0, Kolby Montgomery 0 0-0 0, Jesse George 0 0-0 0, Tre Miles 0 0-0 0. Totals: 13 9-17 39.

CWNC 63

Tristan Newcamp 2 2-2 6, Austin Sieminski 4 1-2 9, Erick Taylor 3 4-5 10, Kenny Fukon 3 2-4 9, Zachary Offi 5 0-0 13, Isaiah Wilson 1 4-5 6, Isaiah Harvin 2 0-0 4, Dominic Serventi 1 1-2 4, Vincent DiNicola 1 0-0 2, John Fukon 0 0-0 0, Kevin Wright 0 0-2 0, Danny Nyman 0 0-0 0. Totals: 22 14-22 63.

Union 8 8 14 9 — 39

CWNC15 12 21 15 — 63

3-point goals: Union 4 (Morris 3, Bowser); CWNC 5 (Offi 3, Fukon, Serventi)

Tuesday: CWNC vs. Bishop Carroll, site and time to be determined