The future is now for the Mars girls basketball team.

The squad is young, but many of those underclassman saw significant action in last year's WPIAL Class AAA playoff run, which ended with a 68-40 loss to North Catholic in the championship game.

"People look at us and think we're a young team," said Mars coach Dana Petruska. "But our sophomores got a lot of valuable experience last year. They aren't playing like sophomores."

Petruska is speaking of Maggie Bulman, Megan Gibson, Cara Hudac and Abby Marshall.

All four will be counted on to emerge as consistent contributors this year.

"They really have no choice," Petruska said with a laugh. "Last year, they were thrown to the wolves because of the situation we were in. They are ready to step up this year.

"These girls know what I expect of them and that will probably make them want to go out and achieve it even more."

Mars has just one senior, but Taryn Adamski will play a key role in any success the Planets have this season.The 6-foot-1 forward averaged 10.5 points per game last year, before tearing the ACL in her right knee in the WPIAL semifinals against Blackhawk."She's been doing well in practice and her ball handling has really improved," Petruska said. "I'm a firm believer that if you can handle the ball, all the other areas of your game will come eventually."Also returning is junior Julie Utz, who served as a spark plug on both offense and defense last season. She averaged eight points per game from the point guard position.Utz will make the switch to shooting guard this year."Julie was such an unselfish player last year," Petruska said. "She actually gave up the ball more than I wanted her to. Putting her at (shooting guard) will make her more of a threat."Taking over at point guard will be either Gibson or Cara Hudac, the latter started all four playoff games a year ago.Juniors Heather Carpenter and Alina Hudac will start at the forward positions.Utz and Alina Hudac are the team's top returning 3-point shooters, both making 18 shots from beyond the arc in 2003-04.The Planets' top reserves will include sophomores Bulman, Marshall and Haley Geyer.Mars' Section 1-AAA opponents include Valley, Burrell, Highlands, Hampton, North Catholic, Knoch and Kittanning."Knoch and North Catholic should be strong this year," said Petruska. "And I look for Kittanning to be the sleeper. The section is more competitive than it's been in years."As usual, the team is eyeing the playoffs right from the start."I've found over the years that if you set high standards and keep them realistic, the kids will find a way to get it done."The younger girls are going to give their best. They've got speed, height, but most of all, they've got confidence."

2004-05 Girls ScheduleDec. 7-SENECA VALLEY, 6 p.m.; Dec. 9-at Valley, 6 p.m.; Dec. 11-at Pine-Richland, 6 p.m.; Dec. 13-BURRELL, 6 p.m.; Dec. 15-19-at Reebok Tournament @ Las Vegas; Dec. 20-at Highlands, 6 p.m.; Dec. 22-HAMPTON, 6 p.m.; Dec. 28-29-MARS HOLIDAY TOURNAMENTJan. 3-at North Catholic, 6 p.m.; Jan. 6-KITTANNING, 7 p.m.; Jan. 10-at Knoch, 6 p.m.; Jan. 13-at Burrell, 6 p.m.; Jan. 17-VALLEY, 6 p.m.; Jan. 20-HIGHLANDS, 6 p.m.; Jan. 24-at Hampton, 6 p.m.; Jan. 27-NORTH CATHOLIC, 6 p.m.; Jan. 31-at Kittanning, 6 p.m.Feb. 3-KNOCH, 6 p.m.; Feb. 5-at Carlynton, 6 p.m.; Feb. 7-MT. LEBANON, 7:30 p.m.