HAMPTON TWP — Anticipated matchups don't always live up to the hype.

This one did.

Mars' 10-point fourth quarter lead dwindled to just two before Hampton's final three shots — all 3-pointers in the final 20 seconds — missed the mark as the Planets held on for a 64-61 boys basketball win in front of a raucous crowd Friday night at Hampton High School.

The victory caps an undefeated Section 1-AAA slate for the Planets (21-1, 14-0). Had Hampton won, the Talbots (18-3, 12-2) would have earned a share of the section championship.

Mars defeated Hampton 82-61 Jan. 13.

“We knew Hampton was going to play hard and it was a big atmosphere tonight,” said Mars junior forward Alex Gruber, who contributed 15 points and 12 rebounds. “But we had to share the section last year (with Knoch and Indiana). It's great to win it just for us.”

Leading 63-61, Mars pushed its lead to three points with five seconds left when Ryan Giallonardo made the front end of a 1-and-1 at the free throw line. He missed the second and the Talbots rebounded, leading to Jack Morrison's desperation 3-point try just inside midcourt as the final buzzer echoed throughout the gym.

The first of Hampton's failed 3-point attempts late in the game came from Morrison, but a scramble for the ball resulted in possession staying with the Talbots, who called a timeout with 15.4 seconds left.

Pat Murray was then called upon from beyond the arc, but his shot also missed from just left of the top of the key. Giallonardo corralled the rebound and was fouled, leading to his trip to the charity stripe at the other end of the floor.

“We were looking to dribble, penetrate and kick,” said Talbots' coach Joe Lafko of Murray's miss. “But we were willing to take whatever opportunity presented itself.”

Hampton was unable to draw the Mars defense in as the ball remained on the perimeter the entire possession.

“We are a long team,” said Mars coach Rob Carmody. “If they (Talbots) end up taking a three with a hand in their face, we'll take that.”

The Planets' lead was 59-49 with four minutes left in the game. Hampton's comeback attempt began with Murray's basket with 3:36 remaining. The Talbots' 12-4 spurt was aided by three Mars turnovers.

“I used to have a nice head of hair,” Carmody said, smiling, “until games like this when we have a 10-point lead and can't pass the ball to the right team.

“I think the environment got to us a bit,” he added of the packed gym. “But I told the guys, this is what you want. You don't want to be playing in front of six people.”

Hampton senior guard Joey Lafko fouled out with 3:08 to play and Mars leading 59-53. He led the Talbots with 20 points. For the last two weeks, the team has been without senior David Huber, who is nursing an injured ankle.

“We've been resilient this season,” Joe Lafko said, “but we need to get healthy.”

Hampton led 36-33 early in the third period before Mars' Christian Schmitt hit a 3-pointer and John Castello completed a conventional 3-point play for a lead the Planets never gave up. Castello and Schmitt scored 21 and 16 points, respectively.

MARS 64

Aaron Gruber 1 0-0 2, Alex Gruber 6 3-4 15, John Castello 9 3-4 21, Ryan Giallonardo 1 1-2 4, Nate Sablowski 1 0-0 2, Christian Schmitt 5 1-2 16, Robby Carmody 1 2-2 4. Totals: 24 10-14 64.

HAMPTON 61

Pat Murray 4 0-0 8, Joey Lafko 8 2-2 20, Antonio Ionadi 3 1-2 9, Jack Morrison 8 0-0 19, Kyle Reese 2 1-2 5, Jack Kramer 0 0-0 0, Ben Huber 0 0-0 0, Matt Donnelly 0 0-0 0. Totals: 25 4-6 61.

Mars 19 10 21 14 — 64

Hampton18 16 10 17 — 61

3-point goals: Mars 6 (Schmitt 5, Giallonardo); Hampton 7 (Morrison 3, Lafko 2, Ionadi 2).

Next: WPIAL Class AAA playoffs, TBD