Thrice As Nice
MOON TWP — Three years. Three completely different teams.
The Mars boys basketball team has found a way to get to the WPIAL title game with a different recipe each time.
This year's concoction features a lot of brute force from 6-foot-7, 290-pound senior center Michael Carmody. He was at it again Tuesday night against Chartiers Valley in the Class 5A semifinals at Moon with 27 points and 18 rebounds in a 59-50 win.
The Planets (19-5) will take on Laurel Highlands in the WPIAL championship game at 9 p.m. Friday at the Petersen Events Center.
“It's one of the most incredible feelings ever,” said Michael Carmody of returning to the district title game for the third straight season. “Being there the last two years, having Robby (Carmody) lead us, having Andrew (Recchia) lead us, tonight I get to follow in their footsteps. It's been great. Right now my heart is beating so fast. It doesn't feel real.”
Mars was doubted this season after losing 1,000-point scorers Khori Fusco and Recchia and having to replace one of the best defenders in the state in Brandon Caruso.
The same was said about the Planets when Robby Carmody took his 2,000 points to Notre Dame two years ago.
Yet, here's Mars again, preparing to play for another district crown.
“I love that part of our program,” said Mars coach Rob Carmody. “Andrew texting, John (Castello) texting, Robby texting to encourage the young guys.”
Mars got there this time around by withstanding a poor offensive first half in which the Planets managed just 20 points.
Chartiers Valley went up 22-20 on a 3-pointer from Jared Goldstrom to start the third quarter, but the Planets went on a 17-2 run after that and milked the lead for the remainder of the game.
Chartiers Valley could only get as close as six in the second half after the Mars run.
Goldstrom and Brayden Reynolds each scored 17 for the Colts, who shot just 36 percent from the field.
“We were able to find enough easy opportunities,” Rob Carmody said. “We made enough plays.”
Mars was also able to hit free throws. The Planets were 23-of-31 from the line, including 18-of-22 in the fourth quarter.
Meanwhile, Chartiers Valley was only 5-of-9 from the line in the entire game.
Senior guard Joey Craska added 13 points for Mars — all 13 coming in the second half.
Rob Carmody admitted he didn't know his team could get back to the WPIAL title game before the season because of all the question marks.He knew he had Michael inside. He also knew sophomores Zach Schlegel and Mihali Sfanos were going to have to handle substantial new roles.“Somehow it's worked out,” Rob Carmody said.“They heard it all year,” the coach added. “You don't have Andrew. You don't have Khori. You don't have Brandon. You're not going to be very good.”It served as motivation.And now Michael Carmody doesn't have to take a ribbing from his older brother Robby.“If we didn't get back, I'd probably hear it from my brother,” Michael said laughing.Just getting there, though, isn't enough for the Planets.“I told the seniors, your legacy now is can you find a way to win it?” Coach Carmody said.MARS 59Zach Schlegel 0-4 3-4 3, Michael Carmody 9-17 8-12 27, Chris Dvorak 1-4 2-2 4, Joey Craska 3-5 6-9 13, Mihali Sfanos 2-7 4-4 9, Tasso Sfanos 1-3 0-0 3. Totals: 16-40 23-31 59.CHARTIERS VALLEY 50Jared Goldstrom 7-13 0-0 17, Brayden Reynolds 5-18 3-7 17, Louie Kearney 0-1 0-0 0, Marcello Legister 3-10 0-0 8, Sean Banas 2-4 0-0 4, Griffin Beattie 1-3 2-2 4, Anthony Mackey 0-1 0-0 0, Socrates Baulis 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 18-50 5-9 50.Mars 9 11 17 22 — 59Chartiers Valley6 13 11 20 — 503-point goals: Mars 4 (Carmody, Craska, M.Sfanos, T.Sfanos); Chartiers Valley 9 (Goldstrom 3, Reynolds 4, Legister 2)Friday: WPIAL 5A Championship-Mars vs. Laurel Highlands, 9 p.m., Petersen Events Center
