Recchia hits 1,000
HAMPTON TWP — Andrew Recchia scored his 1,000th career point Friday night as Mars boys basketball defeated Hampton on the road, 68-49.
“It's all credit to my teammates, giving me the ball and stuff like that,” Recchia said. “(Michael Carmody) is one of the best screeners in the WPIAL...an offensive lineman, I don't know how much more you can ask for there.”
Recchia drained a three-pointer at the 6:55 mark of the third quarter to secure his 1,000th point. The senior ended the game with eight points.
“Unbelievable individual accomplishment that (Recchia) has worked so hard for,” Mars coach Rob Carmody said. “I've known Andrew since he was in kindergarten, I've enjoyed watching him progress as a young man, as a player. His heart, his work ethic, leadership, nobody deserves this more.”
The Planets got out to a fast start early on, going up 20-12 by the end of the first quarter behind a seven-point period from Michael Carmody, who would end the night with a team-high 20 points.
Coach Carmody saw his team not following direction just before the half and felt the need to call a timeout despite a 20-point lead.
“It's about making sure that our guys understand what we are trying to do,” he said. “At this point in time, against your biggest section rival, but at the same time you're also trying to make sure you're making the correct plays and I felt in the last minute of the first half we were very discombobulated. It's almost like we thought the game was over.”
Khori Fusco ended the day with 14 points for the Planets, while Caruso notched 11.
With the win, Mars (21-1, 14-0) has won 16 games in a row and has tied the best regular-season record in team history.
The Planets' only loss came back in late December to out-of-state Birmingham (Calif.). This is the third time the Planets have ended their season with a perfect section record.
“I think we can improve in just about every aspect, that's what is so special about us,” Recchia said.
“This year I think we have more of a balanced attack. We have four, sometimes five guys that hit double figures. This year if you slow one of us down, three or four of us will come score double digits.”
MARS 68
Khori Fusco 4 5-6 14, Michael Carmody 7 6-11 20, Andrew Recchia 2 2-2 8, Kevin Ceh 1 0-1 2, Joe Craska 3 0-0 8, Brandon Caruso 4 0-0 11, Mihali Sfanos 2 0-0 5. Totals: 23 13-20 68.
HAMPTON 49
Sickles 0 1-2 1, Morrow 1 0-0 3, Lindgren 7 5-5 19, Winek 3 0-0 7, Ringeisen 6 3-4 15, Mignogna 1 2-2 4. Totals: 18 11-13 49.
Mars 20 18 12 18 — 68
Hampton12 6 20 11 — 49
3-point goals: Morrow, Winek 2, Khori Fusco, Andrew Recchia 2, Joe Craska 2, Brandon Caruso 3, Mihali Sfanos
Next: WPIAL playoffs, TBD
