News

Mars spent the entire second half playing catch up, but all the energy exerted was well worth it in the end.

With 2.6 seconds left in the Class 5A WPIAL Championship Game at the Petersen Events Center on Friday night, senior Andrew Recchia hit a 3-pointer to send top-seed Mars to a 58-56 win against No. 3 Moon.

Although a lot closer this year, the Planets have now won back-to-back WPIAL championships.

It was looking like Moon would capture its second title in three years early on. The Tigers held a 17-point halftime lead, but it would be a different story in the second half.

Mars got hot in the second half, led by Recchia’s game-high 23 points. He scored 14 in the second half and was a perfect 8 for 8 from the free-throw line in the game.

The Planets took the lead 55-54 but Moon recaptured it with 22 seconds left on a jumper by senior Austin Ryan, setting up Recchia’s heroics.

Also scoring in double figures for Mars was senior Brandon Caruso with 14 and junior Michael Carmody finished with nine points and 15 rebounds.

For Moon, junior Donovan Johnson was the leading scorer with 13 points. Senior Jioni Smith finished with 12 and Austin Ryan and twin brother Connor Ryan had 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Mars improves to 24-1 on the season and have won 19 straight games. Moon falls to 22-2 on the season.

Both teams will now await to see who their opponents are in the PIAA playoffs that start on Friday, March, 8.