Been There, Done That
O'HARA TWP — With just under four minutes to play in Tuesday's WPIAL boys basketball semifinal, defending champion Mars seemed to be on its heels.
The Planets had been unable to shake free of Chartiers Valley and though Mars led 45-40, star forward Michael Carmody had just fouled out of the game.
The Colts seemed primed to make a run.
Mars coach Rob Carmody knew better.
“We have some experience in situations like this,” he said. “In last year's state semifinal, Robby (Carmody) fouled out with about four minutes left and we still won.
“That kind of experience matters a lot.”
After Chartiers Valley scored a basket to pull to within 45-42, Mars slammed the door on the upset-minded Colts in a 53-44 decision at Fox Chapel High School.
Mars senior guard Andrew Recchia scored four points and added a clutch steal in the closing moments to help seal a return trip to the WPIAL final.
Recchia scored a game-high 25 points and dished out six assists.
“This is what an experienced team does,” said Recchia. “You're up by four or five points in the fourth quarter, you find a way to close it out.
The top-seeded Planets (23-1) will face Moon in Friday's district championship game at the Petersen Event Center.
Michael Carmody's fifth foul came on a player-control call in the paint.
“I didn't think it was a foul,” he said. “I thought the guy just slipped. We got the job done and that's the important thing.”
Despite his abbreviated appearance, Carmody still managed 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Mars led throughout the second half, but just when it appeared as though the Planets would take command of the game, the Colts (18-6) would get a big basket, often times from Brayden Reynolds, who led his team with 17 points.
Reynolds drained two treys in the game, the second one cutting the Planet lead to 35-33 with 1:20 left in the third quarter. By the end of the period, Mars' edge stood at 39-35.
“There's two teams out there trying to get to the Pete,” said Coach Carmody. “It's not supposed to be easy.”
And it wasn't on this night, which took a toll on both teams physically.
“This is one of the most physical games I've played in, except for when we play Franklin Regional,” said Recchia. “But the atmosphere was electric tonight. You can never prepare for that, no matter how you try in practice.”
Recchia was 8-of-9 from the free throw line while the Colts were 6-of-14, including just one make in eight attempts in the first half.“Andrew is headed to Shippensburg (University),” Coach Carmody said. “There's a reason he is a scholarship-caliber player.”“I didn't think the feeling could get any better than last year when we won to get to the championship game,” said Recchia, “but this feels pretty good.”Chartiers Valley coach Brandon Sensor was not available for comment.CHARTIERS VALLEY 44Jared Goldstorm 2 0-0 5, Joe Pipilo 5 0-0 11, Brayden Reynolds 5 5-11 17, Marcello Legister 3 1-1 8, Sean Banas 1 0-2 3. Totals: 16 4-16 44.MARS 53Khori Fusco 3 2-2 9, Brandon Caruso 1 2-2 4, Andrew Recchia 7 8-9 25, Michael Carmody 5 3-7 13, Mihali Sfanos 1 0-0 2, Zac Schlegel 0 0-2 0. Totals: 17 15-22 53.Chartiers Valley 9 11 15 9 — 44Mars7 16 16 14 — 533-point goals: Chartiers Valley 6 (Reynolds 2, Legister, Pipilo, Goldstorm, Banas); Mars 4 (Recchia 3, Fusco).Friday: Mars vs. Moon, WPIAL 5A title game at Petersen Event Center, 9 p.m.
