ROSS TWP — Michael Carmody is accustomed to getting double-doubles.

Just not always in one quarter.

The 6-foot-7, 291-pound Mars senior center dominated in the fourth quarter when the Planets' boys basketball team needed a boost, scoring 11 points to go with 10 rebounds in the frame as Mars pulled away from South Fayette for a 57-44 victory Friday night in the WPIAL Class 5A quarterfinals at North Hills Middle School.

“There hasn't been a player like him in the WPIAL in a long time,” said Mars coach Rob Carmody, who is also Michael's father.

He should know. In his long tenure at Mars, Coach Carmody has had a slew of standout big men.

None have made the type of impact that Michael has.

That impact was on full display in the final eight minutes. After South Fayette's Brandon Jakiela hit a 3-pointer just 10 seconds into the frame to tie the score at 36-36, Michael took over.

Part of it was his ability to wear down the South Fayette defense — something of a trademark of his.

“It always feels like that,” Michael Carmody said. “I feel like throughout the game we wear people down. People are banging around with me and I'm 290 pounds. That's hard, I would say.”

Michael Carmody finished with 23 points and 20 rebounds for Mars (18-5), which guaranteed itself a spot in the PIAA playoffs for the ninth consecutive year.

Sophomore guard Zach Schlegel also had a big night with 20 points. He scored 10 in the fourth quarter and went 8-of-10 from the foul line in the final eight minutes.

Mars led 28-20 at the half, but South Fayette (16-8) stormed back with seven quick points to start the third quarter to cut the lead to one.

The Lions flirted several times with taking the lead, but never could.

Instead, Mars was able to finally pull away thanks to an 8-0 run midway through the fourth quarter that turned a two-point game into a double-digit lead.

South Fayette never got closer than eight of the lead after that Planet spurt.

Mars had another hero Friday night.

Chris Dvorak scored 12 points on 6-of-6 shooting to keep Mars afloat in the first three quarters.

“He's had some big games for us,” Rob Carmody said. “I go back to the Shaler game, he had 19 points in his first start. He gives us another dimension because he's 6-6 and he can guard multiple people. He can shoot it a little bit and he finishes.”

Dvorak's shot in the arm came at an opportune time. Mars guards Mihali Sfanos and Joey Craska combined for just two points.

Dvorak said it was a long road to get to this point since the start of the season.

“Most of the credit goes to my teammate and coaches for believing in me,” Dvorak said. “At the beginning of the season, I don't know if I'd be put in this situation. Them trusting and believing in me really gave me the opportunity to shine. I just wanted to step up and do my part.”

Mars will take on Chartiers Valley Tuesday in the semifinals at a site and time to be determined.

The Planets, which had a 10-day hiatus between games, are glad to get back into a routine.

“This doesn't count as two wins,” Rob Carmody said. “I like the fact that these kids have been through it. We could have scrimmaged every day, but there's no way to prepare for this kind of atmosphere.”

SOUTH FAYETTE 44

Drew Franklin 1-5 0-0 2, Joe Alcorn 3-8 1-1 7, Connor Mislan 1-10 0-2 2, Brandon Jakiela 5-12 6-6 17, Kad St. Ledger 7-11 1-1 16, Dom Thomas 0-0 0-0 0, Landon Lutz 0-0 0-0 0, Jake Donay 0-2 0-0 0, Logan Yater 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 17-48 8-10 44.

MARS 57

Zach Schlegel 5-14 8-10 20, Michael Carmody 9-13 5-7 23, Chris Dvorak 6-6 0-1 12, Joey Craska 0-5 0-0 0, Mihali Sfanos 1-5 0-0 2, Bryce Cunningham 0-1 0-0 0, Tasso Sfanos 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 21-44 13-18 57.

South Fayette 14 6 13 11 — 44

Mars14 14 8 21 — 57

3-point goals: Jakiela, St. Ledger; Schlegel 2

Tuesday: Class 5A semifinal-Mars vs. Chartiers Valley, site and time TBA