Riding High
ADAMS TWP — And the beat goes on.
Mars has fielded one of the WPIAL's most consistent boys basketball programs over the last decade and the Planets seem primed to add another playoff run to that long string of success.
They enter Monday's first-round WPIAL Class 5A playoff game against Thomas Jefferson with a 20-2 overall record and as undefeated champions of Section 4.
A number of factors have played into Mars' strong season, but coach Rob Carmody sees two as the top catalysts.
"We don't miss free throws, are making 75 percent as a team, and we're averaging just six turnovers per game," he said. "We make the most of our possessions and our guys are playing with a unique cohesiveness."
That chemistry has helped the Planets achieve very balanced scoring and they're close to having all five starters in double figures in points.
Zach Schlegel, a senior point guard who recently scored his 1,000th career point, leads the way with 18 per game. Guards Tasso Sfanos (16.7) and Austin Cote (10) and forward Chris Dvorak (10.5) each have done their part to keep defenses guessing.
Senior guard Bryce Cunningham, who recently returned from injury to rejoin the starting lineup, is averaging 8.1 points and has made 34 of Mars' 179 treys this season.
And then there's defense, which the Planets have played incredibly well. They're giving up less than 47 points per game, an all-time single-season best for the program.
"We're not thinking about the record," said Dvorak, who leads Mars with 13 rebounds per game. "We just want to make teams earn every point they score. We all communicate with each other and it's awesome that we're playing so well together."
Cote, a lacrosse commit to Loyola (Md.) University who has been a member of Mars' varsity basketball team since his sophomore year, was not planning on taking the court this season, but changed his mind after some coaxing from Carmody and some teammates, particularly Schlegel. Cote's presence has sparked the Planets on both ends of the court.
"Austin is so fast, quick and strong, he makes up for a lot of our mistakes," Carmody said. "Lacrosse at Loyola, that's like a Power 5 school for football or basketball and Austin has the opportunity to play there as a freshman. If he plays basketball, that takes away from time he can spend with lacrosse and I get it. But I called him before the season and told him that we needed him."
"He's our X-factor," added Dvorak of Cote. "He brings energy and enthusiasm to our group."
Cote has joined Schlegel and Sfanos as players who can apply ball pressure "without fouling or giving up easy baskets," according to Carmody.
"It wasn't that I didn't want to play basketball, but I was looking toward the future with lacrosse," Cote said. "Zach (Schlegel) was very convincing and talked about it being our senior year and the fact we've played together since fourth grade.
"Coach Carmody has been very flexible with the schedule and I've been able to get some lacrosse work in over the winter."
Ryan Ceh, Austin Campbell and Ian Zukowski have been top players off the bench and the Planets hope to soon get senior Jonah Kozora, who has played in just seven games, back from injury.
Mars is the No. 3 seed in the WPIAL tournament and looks to join Planet teams from 2018 and 2019 that won district championships.
Laurel Highlands (21-0) and defending champion New Castle (20-1) are the No. 1 and 2 seeds, respectively.
"I'd like to think people consider us as in the mix because of how strong we've been," said Carmody, "but it's going to be tough. (Class) 5A in the WPIAL is very good. Teams have a lot of depth and balance."
