ADAMS TWP — Quite simply, the Mars High girls basketball team has nothing to lose.

The Planets got a second lease on playoff life when West Mifflin pulled them back into the PIAA Class AAA playoffs.

Now, Mars is looking to do some damage with its second wind.

It won't be easy, though. Mars (19-6) will take on District 10 champion General McLane at 6 p.m. Saturday at Edinboro University, basically in the Lancers' backyard.

"We're road tested," said Mars coach Tony Howard, whose team is 12-2 away from home. "I think we had more pressure on us (in Tuesday's 50-36 win over Perry Traditional Academy) than we will this weekend."

Mars is looking forward to its road trip.

"We've played well on the road," Howard said. "We're excited for the challenge."

And it will be a challenge.

The Lancers beat rival Mercyhurst Prep 49-46 in the District 10 championship game. Coach Meghan Meabon said her team is playing its best basketball of the season.

"Each day, each game, we've been working so hard," Meabon said. "They are so excited to be where they are at."

Where the Lancers are is a favorite to play for a state championship.

General McLane has won 11 straight games and is led by Valerie Majewski, who is averaging 18.3 points per game.

Sarah Hansen is putting up 14.3 points and 10.9 rebounds per contest.

The Lancers have five players averaging 6.6 points per game or better.

That's in stark contrast to Mars, which gets 47.8 percent of its scoring from senior Lily Grenci.

The 6-foot-1 guard-forward has scored 88 points in three playoff games and is putting up 24.2 points per contest.

Still, both coaches agree Grenci won't be the difference maker in this game. It will be the four players around the Mars star who must make the biggest impact.

"When we play a team with one dominant scorer, we know she's going to get her points," Meabon said. "It's how you play the others that determines your success.

"We're confident enough in our man-to-man defense. We're going to play straight-up man-to-man and see what happens."

Mars sophomore guard Alexa Lee scored 12 points against Perry in the preliminary-round win. Lee could be a big key. She is a potent outside shooter when she is on and can dribble drive to the hoop.

"She can make a move on the girl guarding her and she's gone," Grenci said.

Mars needs a good effort on the boards, too.

General McLane is one of the top rebounding teams around and is particularly adept at getting offensive boards.

"We're definitely focusing on boxing out," Howard said. "We want to give them one contested shot per possession. Obviously, you aren't going to shut them out on offensive rebounds, but we can't give them second opportunities."

Meabon is trying to keep her team focused.

That's not an easy task these days, particularly after the emotional win over rival Mercyhurst Prep, a team the Lancers could play again in the state playoffs.

"We've done a good job at thinking one game at a time this year," Meabon said. "Anything can happen. It's a one-and-done situation now. You do look ahead because you want to be prepared for what you could face down the line, but you have to focus on your next task."