ADAMS TWP — You don't have to tell Rob Carmody that it's not over until it's over.

The veteran Mars boys basketball coach watched his team's lead shrink from 60-50 with two minutes left to 64-62 with 18 seconds remaining.

But senior guard Charlie Jaicks hit four free throws in the last 15 seconds as Mars held off Valley for a 68-62 win in its Section 1-AAA opener Tuesday night.

Aiding in the Vikings' comeback attempt was the fact that Mars' other two seniors — Tim Frye and Robbie Herold — were a combined 2-of-9 from the free throw line down the stretch.

"That's where we want the ball: in the hands of our seniors," said Carmody. "But Tim and Robbie just couldn't make the free throws. I just can't explain it.

"Thankfully, Charlie was able to stick 'em in there."

Jaicks made 10-of-12 free throws in the fourth quarter alone and ended the night with a game-high 27 points.

Valley (0-4) had several role players step to the fore in the final minutes to make things exciting.

Tyler Santucci scored five points in the game, all of them coming in the final 65 seconds.

Bradley Flenory scored 13 points in the game, including three 3-pointers in the final period.

Bryan Rayburg and Eric Yeamans, neither of whom started the game, both scored their lone basket in the final minute.

"The positive thing I'm taking from this game is the final six minutes," said Valley coach Vernon Benson. "If we can play like that for 32 minutes, we'll be all right."

Despite their ineffectiveness from the free throw line in the final period, Herold and Frye both played key roles in helping the Planets to build a double-digit lead.

Herold ended the game with 14 points, 10 of them coming in the first half.

Frye scored 23 points, including Mars' final seven points of the third quarter that gave the Planets a 49-36 lead.

The only other player to score for Mars (4-1) was freshman forward Vinny Smith, who tallied four points.

"I am concerned with the fact that only four players scored for us," said Carmody. "Vinny had just a few opportunities early, and, for whatever reason, Steve (Cress) was never able to get going."

Valley held a 22-21 lead with five minutes remaining in the first half, but the Vikings' offense then went cold.

The only points Valley scored in the final five minutes of the second quarter was a 2-point bucket by Ryan Orr 19 seconds before halftime.

"We were making bad decisions with the ball, but Mars was playing well defensively," said Benson. "Good defense is always a factor when a team makes mistakes."

"But we just couldn't get any offense going," Benson added. "Our kids had no confidence in their shots."

Ian Benson led the Vikings with 19 points, including 13 in the opening quarter.

"I think a big reason why they struggled late in the first half was because (Ian) Benson had to sit," said Carmody. "He dictates so much of what they do offensively.

"But that was also the best stretch of defense we've had this year," he added.

MARS 68

Charlie Jaicks 5 14-18 27, Robbie Herold 6 1-5 14, Tim Frye 8 5-9 23, Vinny Smith 1 2-6 4, Steve Cress 0 0-0 0, Dan Colbert 0 0-0 0, Bryan Humphreys 0 0-0 0. Totals: 20 22-38 68.

VALLEY 62

Ian Benson 8 0-0 19, Bradley Flenory 3 4-4 13, Anthony Howell 2 4-4 9, Ryan Orr 3 1-3 7, Tyler Santucci 2 0-0 5, Gary Jones 1 1-2 3, Eric Yeamans 1 0-0 2, Troy Hill 1 0-0 2, Bryan Rayburg 1 0-0 2, Madison Harvey 0 0-0 0, Justin Lookabaugh 0 0-0 0. Totals: 22 10-13 62.

3-point goals:

Benson 3, Flenory 3, Howell, Santucci; Jaicks 3, Frye 2, Herold.

JV:

Valley 66-45 (Mars-Ryan Schroth 9 points)

Friday:

Mars @ Deer Lakes