ADAMS TWP — Experience isn't always the difference in a high school basketball game.

But it certainly was Monday night.

Both Hampton and Mars started three seniors in their Section 1-AAA showdown.

But while the Talbots featured a veteran lineup, the Planets' only returning starter was junior Lily Grenci.

Hampton rode that experience to a 57-38 win over the Planets (3-3 overall, 0-2 section).

"Due to some personnel decisions, we had a totally different lineup on the floor tonight than we had the first few games," said Mars coach Tony Howard. "We're in a transition phase."

"It's a relief," Hampton coach Mary Bukovac said of the win. "Last year, we came up here and had a lead at halftime and saw it disappear in the second half (in a 54-48 loss)."

The biggest reason the Talbots (4-2, 2-0) were able to grab the lead early and never give it up was their 39-21 advantage in rebounds.

In the first quarter, Hampton shot 21 percent from the field (4-of-19) but held an 11-6 lead after getting to 17 rebounds while Mars got seven.

By halftime, Mars' deficit was up to 26-15.

"I think it's just a matter of being more aware of where you are on the floor," said Howard. "Sometimes playing zone on defense, it's tough to assign blockout assignments.

"But Hampton's size gave us some problems tonight."

Senior Jodie Luther (6-feet-1) and junior Laurel Hansen (6-2), both returning starters, snared the majority of the Talbots' boards.

Hansen added 16 points.

Another returning starter for the Talbots was senior guard C.J. Graham, who scored a game-high 19 points and connected on five 3-pointers.

Hampton's advantage in expertise allowed it much better ball movement than the Planets managed

Mars was forced into many rushed and off-balance shots, and Hampton's frontcourt players were there to gobble up the rebounds.

The Planets did have three players score in double digits, as Ellen Kenitz, Alexa Lee and Grenci all ended the night with 10 points.

Lee, a freshman guard, scored eight of her points in a third quarter that saw Mars pull to within 41-34 before the Talbots' 10-0 run iced the game.

"We're looking to ease her into the lineup," said Howard. "Right now, she's in a catch-and-shoot mode, but she's also only a freshman."

HAMPTON 57Alex DiBucci 1 0-0 3, C.J. Graham 7 0-0 19, Jodie Luther 1 2-4 4, Lindsay Wittmer 3 2-2 8, Breanne Goodman 0 1-2 1, Laurel Hansen 8 0-0 16, Mallory Schaffer 1 1-1 3, Adrianna Ferraro 1 1-2 3, Christine Newby 0 0-0 0.

Totals: 22 7-11 57.

MARS 38Ellen Kenitz 5 0-0 10, Lily Grenci 3 4-4 10, Alexa Lee 3 2-2 10, Elaine Hasek 3 0-0 8, Kelsey Ferguson 0 0-0 0, Tori Gressang 0 0-0 0, Rachel Pinkerton 0 0-0 0, Ashley Lynch 0 0-0 0, Ally Demetriadis 0 0-0 0.

Totals: 14 6-6 38.

Hampton 11 15 18 13—57Mars 6 9 19 4—383-point goals: Hampton 6 (Graham 5, DiBucci); Mars 4 (Lee 2, Hasek).

JV: Hampton 43-37

Thursday: Indiana at Mars