ADAMS TWP — John Castello was sitting in the perfect place outside the low block when the Ambridge defense collapsed on Ryan Giallonardo.

Giallonardo fed Castello the ball, who knocked down a jumper with 7 seconds remaining to give the Mars boys basketball team a 51-49 win Saturday night in the Scott Lang Memorial Tip-Off Tournament title game.

Castello, who finished with 10 points and 16 rebounds, said making the shot was a simple process.

“I saw Ryan coming in and the defense collapsed on him,” Castello said. “I just threw it up and in.”

Beating the Bridgers was far from simple for Mars.

But what the Planets showed against the Bridgers (1-1) was important to head coach Rob Carmody. Mars (2-0) showed it could score by beating Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic 70-43 Friday night.

Against the Bridgers, the Planets proved they can grind.

Mars struggled to shoot and had to lean on its defense.

The Planets shot 38 percent (19-of-50) from the field, including 2-of-10 in the third quarter.

“We have grit. I knew we were skilled. We have guys that can shoot and handle,” Carmody said. “The grit tells me so much more. The skill is great, but when you play good teams ... you’re not going to be able to run up and down the floor every game.”

Ambridge, which trailed 32-26 at halftime, rallied behind Daylon Carter, who scored a game-high 21 points, and point guard Darius Lawrence, who finished with 15.

The Bridgers opened the second half with an 11-0 run, culminating with Carter burying a 3-pointer with 3:00 left in the third quarter to put them ahead, 37-32.

Trailing 39-34, Alex Gruber helped Mars storm back. First, Gruber set up Christian Schmitt for a 3-pointer.

Gruber followed with a deep three from the top of the key, arching his back and yelling to celebrate giving Mars a 40-39 lead.

“That was a big play for our team. I felt I was open and I took a three,” said Gruber, who scored a team-high 11 points. “Our offense needed some points because we were struggling in the third. From there we took off, took the lead and finished the game in the fourth.”

After Ambridge’s Tyler Hendon scored to open the fourth and give the Bridgers a 41-40 lead, Gruber stole a pass and scored a layup to put Mars ahead for good with 6:50 remaining.

The Bridgers tied the game at 45 and 49 before Castello put Mars ahead for good.

Ambridge’s last chance to tie was foiled when Carter was called for traveling.

Planets freshman guard Robby Carmody, who was named the tournament’s most valuable player, scored 10 points.

Mars had to win two different ways, but found a way to finish the win.

Castello said the Planets are prepared to win in a variety of ways.

“We had to go hard both games,” Castello said. “We practice exact situations like that, when we’re down and we have to come back or if it’s a blowout how to keep the lead.”

Penn Hills 89, Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic 61 — The Indians opened the game on a 9-2 run and coasted to a win in the consolation game.

Vince LeGrande led the Trojans (0-2) with 18 points. Timon Gribbin also finished in double figures for North Catholic with 12 points.

AMBRIDGE 49

Roman Shell 5 0-0 10, Darius Lawrence 6 5-6 15, Daylon Carter 6 8-9 21, Tyler Hendon 1 1-2 3, Keenan Baker 0 0-2 0, Tre Parker 0 0-0 0, Nick Campalong 0 0-0 0. Totals: 17 14-19.

MARS 51

Alex Gruber 4 2-4 11, John Castello 5 0-0 10, Ryan Giallonardo 4 0-1 8, Christian Schmitt 1 1-2 4, Rob Carmody 3 2-5 10, Nate Sablowski 2 2-2 6, Mitch Verplank 1 0-1 2, Sam Morissey 0 0-0 0, Aaron Gruber 0 0-0 0. Totals: 20 7-14 41.

Ambridge 12 14 13 10 — 49

Mars15 17 8 11 — 51

3-point goals: Ambridge 1 (Carter); Mars 3 (Carmody 2, Al. Gruber)

Awards: MVP Robby Carmody, Mars. All-tournament team: Vince LeGrande (CWNC), Christian Schmitt (Mars), Daylor Carter (Ambridge), Darius Lawrence (Ambridge), Winbush-Schifino (Penn Hills).

Thursday: Montour at Mars

NORTH CATHOLIC 61

Tom Braun 0 1-2 1, Chris Goetz 2 1-2 5, Timon Gribbin 3 6-8 13, Vince LeGrande 6 6-9 18, Tristan Newcamp 1 0-2 2, Isaiah Harvin 0 0-0 0, Austin Sieminski 2 0-0 4, Jake Motschner 1 1-1 3, Ken Fiecon 2 0-0 4, Darian Mercurio 0 0-0 0, Cam Laconi 1 0-0 2, Dom Servenci 0 0-0 0, Andrew Ward 1 0-0 3, Mario Latronica 0 1-2 1, Ray Stroud 2 0-0 4, Keith Wells 0 1-2 1. Totals: 20 19-30 61.

PENN HILLS 89

Winbush-Schifino 11 0-0 23, Wright 1 0-0 2, Ligon 3 2-2 9, Thomas 1 0-0 2, Schifino 5 2-2 13, Edwards 4 1-2 11, Fulton 1 1-2 4, Tarrant 1 0-0 3, Holloway 1 0-0 2, Hill 2 0-0 4, Jefferies 4 1-2 9,Williamson 3 1-2 7, Bennett 0 0-0 0. Totals: 38 8-15 89.

North Catholic 10 19 18 14 — 61

Penn Hills 24 26 18 21 — 89

3-point goals: North Catholic 2 (Gribbon, Ward); Penn Hills 5 (Edwards 2, Ligon, S. Shifino, Tarrant)

Tuesday: Gateway at North Catholic