ADAMS TWP — Christian Locher is no one-trick pony.

Instead, the Mars junior has become a horse.

Locher scored 32 points, with most coming in the paint on explosive drives to the basket, as the Planets opened a double-digit lead on rival Knoch and held off the Knights late for a 56-49 boys basketball victory Tuesday night.

Locher isn't the biggest dude in basketball shorts. He's a lanky 6-feet-3 and looks as if he could be blown over by the draft of thicker players sprinting in front of him.

But don't be fooled. Locher, once just a dangerous 3-point threat, has broadened his game and is carrying the Planets on his broadening shoulders.

"I practiced all summer on working on my drives," Locher said. "I knew I had to become a better all-around player. I couldn't just stay a 3-point shooter."

This season, teams are taking the 3-pointer away from Locher, who has only 20 after leading Butler County-with 74 in 2008-09.

"He hasn't pouted," said Mars coach Rob Carmody. "He hasn't gotten frustrated. He's finding other ways."

Those ways have consisted of creating opportunities for himself by slashing to the hoop with his quickness and improved ball-handling skills.

"I think there was one time he went from half court to the rim in one dribble," Carmody said.

Locher scored 13 points in the second quarter to help the Planets (7-4, 4-2) jump out to a 27-17 lead at halftime.

Locher continued his assault in the third quarter with 10 points and then helped seal the win in the fourth by making 5-of-8 free throws.

"We knew we had to play some great team defense on (Locher)," said Knoch coach Chris Andreassi. "I think we played some great individual defense on him, but there were times we didn't execute the things we worked on for this game. At times, we didn't have enough help on him."

When Locher wasn't scoring, Ian Hindley was.

The senior guard added 19 points for Mars. Locher and Hindley accounted for all but five of the Planets' points against the Knights (6-6, 1-4).

"It wasn't how we draw it up," Carmody said. "We had two guys score. That's not the way it has been for us. We've been most successful when we've had three, four guys sneaking around double digits."

It mattered little. Locher and Hindley were all the Planets needed to put Knoch into a deep, early hole in the section.

When asked what it will take for the Knights to work their way back into the section race, Andreassi had a simple answer.

"Win some games," he said.

Knoch nearly won this one.

After trailing by 14 points late in the third quarter, Knoch got as close as five early in the fourth. But Hindley made a driving layup, was fouled and sunk the free throw to give Mars an eight-point lead.

Knoch played most of the first half without forward Jake McTighe, who picked up his third foul with 5:57 remaining in the second quarter.

When McTighe returned in the third, he scored nine points in the quarter to help keep the Knights in the game.

"We need to get (McTighe) more involved," Andreassi said.

There's no such problem for Locher, who is showcasing his new game and the new Planets to rave reviews.

"No one expected this from us," Locher said. "We're a small team, then all of a sudden we are 4-2 (in the section)."

KNOCH 49Corey Miller 0-0 0-0 0, Kevin Wood 0-3 0-0 0, Andrew Wirtz 6-17 0-0 14, Chris Cetnar 1-6 0-0 2, Adam Seger 5-7 1-2 14, Jake McTighe 6-9 0-0 13, Robert Zanella 2-4 0-0 4, Nathan Junk 1-3 0-2 2, Jake Hickey 0-2 0-0 0.

Totals: 21-51 1-4 49.

MARS 56Tim Vandall 0-0 0-0 0, Brad Weischedel 0-1 0-0 0, Christian Locher 11-19 8-12 32, Luke Gruber 1-1 0-1 2, Ian Hindley 6-12 7-9 19, Mike Lindenbaum 1-8 0-1 3.

Totals: 19-41 15-23 56.

Knoch 7 10 16 16—49Mars 11 16 15 14—563-point goals: Knoch 5 (Wirtz 2, Seger 3, McTighe); Mars 3 (Locher 2, Lindenbaum).

JV Score: Knoch 38-26

Today: Knoch at Perry Traditional Academy

Friday: Kittanning at Mars