ADAMS TWP — Alexa Lee admits she was short on confidence when she took the floor as a freshman two seasons ago.

That was then, this is now.

The Mars junior guard tied a career high with 25 points as the Planets girls basketball team picked up a crucial section win with a 53-31 thumping of Franklin Regional Thursday night.

Lee also scored 25 points in a win at Valley Jan. 11 and has reached double figures in eight straight games.

In Thursday's game, she scored 12 points in the first half before crushing the Panthers' hopes with 13 in the third quarter, after which the Planets led by 18 points.

Before being pulled with 1:35 left in the game and the Planets ahead 52-28, Lee drained five 3-pointers and now leads the team with 21.

"You have to have confidence entering a game," Lee said. "That's the only way you're going to succeed."

"We like to get her out on the wing, ahead of the ball," said Mars coach Tony Howard. "When she gets in rhythm, she can score points in bunches."

Mars and Franklin Regional entered the game with identical 5-3 section records.

The Planets had lost two of their previous three section meetings, including a 60-40 defeat to Hampton Monday.

"After the loss to Hampton, Coach told us we had to stay confident," said Lee. "We fought hard for this win tonight."

She saw limited playing time as a freshman in 2007-08.

"I was intimidated my freshman year," she said. "But now I'm confident I can keep up with the players around me. I've got great teammates and I know they have my back."

Lee splits time running the point with senior Ashley Lynch, a combination that has worked well for the Planets.

"I'm most impressed with her play on defense," Howard said of Lee. "Tonight, she had two steals and five deflections, and those turned into steals by other players."

The Panthers (6-9, 5-4) shot a dismal 28 percent from the field (12-of-43) and turned the ball over 36 times.

"Defense was the key to this win tonight," Howard added. "The last few days, we really focused on playing well defensively and it showed."

The Planets (9-7, 6-3) received a strong effort from junior Meghan Kelly, who had five steals and led the team with eight rebounds.

FRANKLIN REGIONAL 31Maggie Kimmich 0 1-2 1, Stephanie Vendemia 1 1-2 3, Meghan Riley 3 0-0 7, Natalie Alexander 0 2-2 2, Jen Martin 5 0-0 10, Kate Witten 1 0-0 2, Monica Drutch 2 2-4 6, Ali Obradovich 0 0-0 0, Hanna Wagner 0 0-0 0, Kristin Gallagher 0 0-0 0, Cella Iovino 0 0-0 0, Rasey Segiel 0 0-0 0.

Totals: 12 6-10 31.

MARS 53Ashley Lynch 2 0-0 4, Carly Clark 2 2-2 8, Meghan Kelly 1 2-4 4, Corinne Gressang 0 1-2 1, Elaine Hasek 2 1-3 5, Kelsey Pelles 2 2-2 6, Alexa Lee 8 4-4 25, Marley Good 0 0-2 0, Lizz Tumminello 0 0-0 0, Brinsley Evanson 0 0-0 0, Randi Francis 0 0-0 0.

Totals: 17 12-19 53.

Franklin Regional 4 6 12 9—31Mars 10 11 19 13—533-point goals: Franklin Regional 1 (Riley); Mars 7 (Lee 5, Clark 2).

Saturday: Mars at Montour