Slow Start, Fast Finish
ADAMS TWP — It was a slow start for Mars' girls basketball team Thursday night at home against Kiski Area, but the Planets were able to turn it on in the second half behind a 20-point performance from senior guard Tai Johnson.
“To start the game, my shots weren't really falling and I was struggling from the field so I figured if I turned up my defense it would give me more opportunities on offense,” Johnson said.
Mars found itself behind 11-6 entering the second quarter with a few minor miscues that were stacking up.
An early timeout in the period was all head coach Dana Petruska needed to steer her players in the right direction following an early 3-pointer from Cavaliers junior guard Hannah Potter on the way to a 59-35 win Thursday night.
“We've been struggling probably in the past five games,” Petruska said. “We're so used to jumping on teams real quick. From my vantage point, I don't try to micromanage. I was hoping they would figure out what we weren't doing, which we should've been doing, but when I finally called the timeout it was like, 'Oh, yeah coach, you're right.”
A 17-point second quarter from the Planets helped them secure a 23-16 halftime lead. In the third quarter, Johnson was able to drain two quick three- pointers to force a Kiski timeout as the Planets had the Cavaliers on their heels.
Johnson had some help from teammates Bella Pelaia, who was able to notch 14 points, and Mara Fuller with 11.
With the type of firepower the Planets have, Petruska said there is no reason Mars should doubt itself.
“I keep telling them you have nothing to doubt,” Petruska said. “You work every day in practice, you work hard, you're very talented, we just gotta get that confidence back.”
For Kiski, Potter didn't let up in the second half, despite her team slowly falling behind. She was able to land four three-pointers on the night, three of which came in the second half.
“First of all, they had nothing to lose so they shot with confidence,” Petruska said. “It's not like us who get hammered with how did you win the state championship last year. I'm not going to take anything away from Hannah, but she had nothing to lose.”In total the Planets were able to rack up 36 secondhalf points while holding Kiski to 19.Johnson was able to add to her impressive night in the fourth quarter with six points to cap off her 20-point outing.“It's just a really good way to start the second half of our season, second half of section play,” Johnson said. “We know what we have to work on and we know what we did well tonight so we'll just go from there.”Petruska does feel there was something to learn from a team like Kiski.“That team had nothing to lose, but to come out and execute and not overthink the game, just play the game and I think that's something we have to think about,” Petruska said.KISKI AREA 35Hannah Potter 2-2 16, Dara Zelonka 3-4 9, Violeta Kenzevich 0-2 6, Samantha Worthing 0-0 2, Dejah Burnett 0-0 2. Totals: 5-8 35.MARS 59Tai Johnson 6-6 20, Bella Pelaia 1-2 14, Mara Fuller 1-1 11, Ellie Coffield 0-0 9, Alek Johnson 0-0 3, Kaitlyn Peliai 0-0 2. Totals: 8-9 59.Kiski Area 11 5 10 9 — 35Mars6 17 20 16 — 593-point goals: Hannah Potter 4, Violeta Kenzevich 2, Tai Johnson 2, Ellie Coffield, Bella Pelaia, Alek Johnson.Monday: Mars at Gateway
