Mars girls gearing up for WPIAL tournament
ADAMS TWP — It has been a roller coaster of a season for the Mars girls basketball team, but one that has landed the Planets in a very familiar spot for the program.
Mars wrapped up the Section 2-5A schedule with a dominating 59-32 victory at home Thursday against New Castle. The Planets face Montour in a non-section game Monday and will then prepare for the WPIAL playoffs. Mars has not missed postseason play this century.
While the team has not won more than two games in a row this season, Mars (11-10, 7-5) has also not lost more than two straight.
“All year, we’ve been preaching a consistent effort, energy and communication on both ends of the floor to the girls,” said first-year Planets coach Zach Stitt. “When we’re playing well, we’ve gotten those things, but with a younger team, sometimes it gets shut off like a switch and that’s when we get in trouble.”
The starting lineup includes senior Ava Day, juniors Vita Vargo and Carmella McDole and sophomores Alexis Cashdollar and Cecilia Christy.
Top reserves are juniors Grace Zatezalo, Gianna DeLisio and sophomore Mya Moore.
The majority of the juniors seeing playing time moved into much more expanded roles from last year.
As a three-year starting point guard, Vargo has been a steadying force.
“We all have to have confidence,” she said. “I’ve been a leader since my freshman year and can help with that. I want to contribute as much as I can.”
Vargo leads the team with 13 points per game, followed by Christy (10.5) and Cashdollar (9.5).
Christy and Moore both stand 6 feet.
“With our length and size, we can give people problems, but again, defense has been on and off for us,” said Stitt. “We have some girls who have playoff experience. Obviously Vita and to an extent Ava and Alexis, but the rest of the team will be experiencing the playoffs for the first time. Getting them that experience is very important.
“We’re just taking it one day at a time.”
Vargo knows what the team needs to do to win in the playoffs.
“We need to improve our shot selection and have to work together,” she said. “We’re getting better with that.”
NEW CASTLE 32
Layla Ott 1 0-0 3, Raegan Hudson 2 0-0 5, Rhiauna Brothers 1 0-2 2, Janessa Griffin 0 2-4 2, Rihanna Boice 7 4-4 18, Ahlaina Armstrong 0 2-4 2. Totals: 11 8-14 32.
MARS 59
Vita Vargo 8 2-3 21, Carmella McDole 4 0-0 8, Cecilia Christy 4 2-4 10, Ava Day 1 1-1 3, Alexis Cashdollar 4 1-1 9, Mya Moore 1 0-0 2, Gianna DeLisio 1 0-0 2, Vivian Black 1 0-0 2, Tess McGrath 1 0-0 2, Amanda Lape 0 0-2 0. Totals: 25 6-11 59.
New Castle 6 8 1 17 — 32
Mars 22 15 18 4 — 59
3-point goals: Mars 3 (Vargo 3).
Monday: Mars at Montour
