Mars Beats Gateway In Battle Of Last Year’s Champions
On Monday night, the Mars and Gateway girls basketball teams met on the same court for the first time since the Planets defeated the Gators in last year’s PIAA quarterfinal round.
Gateway was coming off a WPIAL title and Mars went on to win the state title.
The Planets got the last laugh again on Monday with a 54-42 Section 2-5A win at home.
After a sluggish first quarter that saw Mars trailing 13-7, the Planets found their rhythm in the second quarter. They outscored the Gators 24-14 in the quarter to take a 31-27 lead at the break.
Mars put the game away in the third quarter with a 15-4 advantage. The 54 points is the most that Gateway has allowed this season.
For Mars, senior Tai Johnson led the way with 14 points. Sophomore Ellie Coffield and freshman Ava Black both chipped in with 10 points.
Gateway was led by junior Lexi Jackson and senior Mary Kromka with 15 points apiece.
Mars improves to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in the section. The Planets will travel to Plum for a section game on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Gateway drops its first game of the season, falling to 4-1 overall and 1-1 in the section. The Gators will look to rebounds on Wednesday in a non-section game at Hempfield at 7:30 p.m.