Slow start costs Mars girls in WPIAL 5A playoff loss
SOUTH FAYETTE TWP — Offensive troubles did not last the entire game for Mars, but they dug a hole the Planets were unable to emerge from.
Twelve turnovers in the first half and just four makes on 15 shot attempts led to only 11 points by halftime in Tuesday’s WPIAL Class 5A girls basketball first-round playoff against South Fayette.
After an early 4-0 lead dissolved, the Planets never led again in a 55-36 loss to the Lions.
“We came in thinking that a game in the 30s or 40s would benefit us,” said Mars coach Zach Stitt. “That’s why we were more patient early on. If this was a game early in the season, we probably would have put up more shots in the first two quarters.”
Trailing the hosts 13-6 after one quarter and 24-11 at halftime, Mars started to find its offensive groove in the third.
Alexis Cashdollar and Vita Vargo combined for five field goals in the period, but the Lions maintained their double-digit lead thanks in part to a pair of treys from sophomore guard Haylie Lamonde, who led all scorers with 24 points.
“We have a number of players who are capable of scoring in the 20s and she is definitely one of them,” said Lions coach Bryan Bennett. “I’m not surprised at all with how she played tonight.”
The Lions (15-8) held a 36-22 lead with one quarter to play.
“I thought we played pretty well on defense in the first three quarters, but we just were not able to generate enough offense,” said Stitt.
Cashdollar, who paced Mars with 14 points, scored eight in the fourth. Her basket with 7:20 left in the game cut South Fayette’s lead to 36-26. But Lamonde’s 11 points, including six from the free throw line, never allowed the Planets to truly threaten the lead.
Mars shot 55% (10 of 18) from the field in the second half.
Juliette Leroux added 14 points for the Lions, who have won four of their last five.
“We’re starting to peak at the right time,” Bennett said.
The Planets finish the season with a record of 11-12.
“I’d like to be over .500 at the end of the season, but I’ll take the playoff experience our girls got tonight against a really good team,” said Stitt, who was in his first year as head coach at Mars. “Last spring, this team graduated four girls who are now playing a sport in college. That’s very tough to replace, especially with a new coaching staff coming in.”
MARS 36
Cecilia Christy 1 2-2 5, Vita Vargo 4 0-2 8, Alexis Cashdollar 6 2-2 14, Ava Day 2 1-2 6, Carmella McDole 1 1-2 3, Gianna DeLisio 0 0-0 0, Mya Moore 0 0-0 0. Totals: 14 6-10 36.
SOUTH FAYETTE 55
Haylie Lamonde 7 6-6 24, Lainey Yater 2 3-6 8, Alexa Ankrum 1 0-0 2, Juliette Leroux 7 0-0 14, Cierra Rexrode 0 2-2 2, Lailah Wright 0 1-2 1, Erica Hall 2 0-0 4, Alexis Toth 0 0-0 0. Totals: 19 12-16 55.
Mars 6 5 11 14 — 36
South Fayette 13 11 12 19 — 55
3-point goals: Mars 2 (Christy, Day); South Fayette 5 (Lamonde 4, Yater).
