Robby Carmody (24) shows his intensity during his 30-point performance against Trinity in the WPIAL Class 5A semifinals Tuesday night. The planets won the game, 56-39.

WHITEHALL — The Mars boys basketball team is used to being the aggressor, often forcing opponents out of their gameplan on both offense and defense.

In Tuesday night's WPIAL Class 5A semifinal against Trinity, it was the Hillers who enjoyed the early momentum.

It lasted four minutes.

Mars senior guard Robby Carmody helped dig the Planets out of an early 7-0 hole, scoring 21 of the team's 23 points in the first-half of a 56-39 victory at Baldwin High School.

The Planets (20-4) will face Franklin Regional in the district final at 9 p.m. Friday at the Petersen Event Center.

It will be Mars' first-ever appearance in the WPIAL championship.

“It's awesome,” said Robby Carmody, who dropped 30 points on the Hillers. “As a little kid, you don't even think about states because you don't actually go there. But the WPIAL, I went to those playoff games all the time.”

To find out more about the Planet's big win, read Wednesday's Butler Eagle.

Mars assistant coach Kent Bloom, center, enjoys the post-game celebration Tuesday night at Baldwin High School.