MOON TWP — When Mars and Highlands get together on the basketball court, a nail-biter ensues.

At least that's what their three meetings this year have produced.

After defeating the Golden Rams by modest margins of 60-55 and 61-60 during the regular season, the Planets found themselves in another tight battle in Tuesday's PIAA Class AAA boys play-in clash at Moon High School.

Highlands had cut Mars' lead to just 58-57 on Mitch Dezort's conventional 3-point play with 13.6 seconds left in the game.

Following a free throw from Planet junior John Castello, the Rams appeared to tie the game, but Kaison Branch's open drive to the goal yielded a missed layup. Alex Gruber corralled the rebound for Mars, was fouled and hit both free throws with four seconds left in a 61-57 win.

“They have tough, hard-nosed kids just like we do,” Mars coach Rob Carmody said of the Rams. “They are strong-willed and don't give up. When you play someone for the third time in a season, and the first two games were close, that's probably going to be how the third game turns out.”

Mars will face Hampton, also for the third time this year, Thursday at a site and time to be determined. The winner will be the fifth-place team from the WPIAL in the state playoffs while the loser will place sixth. Highlands and South Fayette will face off to decide the seventh and final team to get a state bid.

The Planets led just 30-26 at halftime, but saw their lead swell to 45-30 midway through the third quarter, due in large part to Bailey Trzeciak's pair of 3-pointers less than a minute apart.

“You ask the kids who the best shooter on the team is and they'll tell you it's Bailey,” Carmody said. “It's just a matter of finding the right situation for him. Tonight, we got into foul trouble and he stepped up.”

The Rams first managed to slice into Mars' lead by the end of the third period (47-38), then relied on a host of players to chip away at the remaining deficit.

“That's what I love about coaching this group,” said Highlands' coach Tyler Stoczynski. “They're never out of it. We can take a lot of positives out of our games with Mars this season. But when you are playing a good team, your margin for error is very small. Thirteen turnovers in the first half hurt us.”

Possibly the biggest reason why Highlands (13-13) has been able to stay with the Planets (23-2) is rebounding. The Rams grabbed 34 boards Tuesday to just 20 for Mars. The Planets often dominate that statistic against other teams.

“We did a terrible job on the glass tonight,” said Carmody. “I think Highlands has controlled the boards in all three games this season.”

Gruber and Castello both scored 19 points for Mars. Ryan Boda paced the Rams with 14.

The Planets entered the WPIAL playoffs as the top seed. Following a win over Laurel Highlands, Mars fell to Ambridge in the quarterfinals last Friday.

“If there was any hangover from that with our kids, shame on them,” Carmody said. “Whether you are playing a basketball game on a Saturday night in July or a Tuesday night in February, you compete. That's the attitude we try to instill in the players.”

HIGHLANDS 57

Ryan Boda 5 3-3 14, Tyler Allworth 1 0-0 2, Lavontae Martin 2 4-7 8, Mitch Dezort 4 4-7 13, Brayden Thimons 5 1-2 11, Kaison Branch 4 0-0 9, Pearce Rouse 0 0-0 0, R.J. Reiger 0 0-0 0, Tyler Grosholz 0 0-0 0. Totals: 21 12-19 57.

MARS 61

Alex Gruber 5 7-8 19, John Castello 7 5-7 19, Bailey Trzeciak 3 0-2 9, Ryan Giallonardo 1 2-4 4, Nate Sablowski 1 2-2 4, Christian Schmitt 1 0-0 2, Robby Carmody 2 0-0 4, Aaron Gruber 0 0-1 0, Mitch Verplank 0 0-0 0. Totals: 20 16-24 61.

Highlands 12 14 12 19 — 57

Mars15 15 17 14 — 61

3-point goals: Highlands 3 (Boda, Dezort, Branch); Mars 5 (Trzeciak 3, Alex Gruber 2).

Thursday: Mars vs. Hampton, time and site TBD