SHARON — The second chances Cathedral Prep got made sure there was no second chances for Mars.

The Planets' boys basketball team found themselves in an unusual position Friday night against the Ramblers in the PIAA Class AAA quarterfinals.

On the short end of the rebounding war — especially on the offensive glass.

The result was a 62-56 win by Cathedral Prep at Sharon High School.

“We really got hurt on the offensive glass,” said Mars coach Rob Carmody. “They just were relentless.”

The rebounding advantage helped Prep build a 10-point lead in the second half and helped the Ramblers keep the lead after it dwindled to just two points with a little less than two minutes remaining.

“We miss a box out and it's four points,” Carmody said, “and you're chasing again.”

Mars (26-3) was chasing Prep for most of the second half after the two teams battled to a 22-22 deadlock after the first two quarters.

The Ramblers (22-6) scored nine straight points in the third quarter to build a 31-25 lead and then extended it to 43-33 by the end of the frame.

“We know how good Mars has been on the boards,” said Prep coach Mark Majewski. “(John) Castello is probably one of the best rebounders in Western Pennsylvania and maybe the state. We needed to do a good job getting second and third opportunities.”

Prep didn't need many second chances in the fourth quarter.

Nursing a lead, the Ramblers didn't take their first shot until nearly four minutes had passed in the final quarter.

Mars was able to use that lull to charge back and nearly overtake Prep.

But the Ramblers put the game away at the line, going 9-of-9 from the stripe down the stretch.

Matt Colpoys was 6-of-6 on free throws in the fourth and led Prep with 18 points.

“You expect that,” Carmody said. “Colpoys is a senior and he enjoys situations like that.”

Castello led Mars with 16 points. Alex Gruber, who had nine points in the first half, finished with 14 for the Planets.

Everyone who played significant minutes this season will return next year for Mars, which won the program's first two state playoff games and recorded the most wins in school history.

But Carmody said the loss of the four seniors who saw limited action — Noah Tresky, Brandt Kepreos, Nate Bayuk and Mitch Verplank — shouldn't be overlooked.

“Those four seniors in there ... they lead us in practice every day and do the scout-team stuff,” Carmody said. “They have been so selfless and shown a lot of character because a lot of people wouldn't have been able to handle that.”

Expectations for Mars will be sky high next season, Carmody said.

The coach said the experience this season should help.

“The juniors we have coming back, they have the opportunity to learn from this,” Carmody said. “There was a special chemistry on this team this year. In 21 years, I've never had a team this close.”

CATHEDRAL PREP 62Antonio Frisina 0-3 2-2 2, Charlie Fessler 6-10 2-3 14, Matt Colpoys 6-11 6-6 18, Carter Cross 1-7 0-0 2, Joe Fustine 8-12 0-0 17, Jose Casiano 0-0 0-0 0, Jaryn Simpson 0-0 0-0 0, Dajon Heidleberg 4-5 1-2 9, Jack Lindenberger 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 25-48 11-13 62.MARS 56Alex Gruber 5-10 3-4 14, John Castello 6-8 4-6 16, Ryan Giallonardo 0-2 0-0 0, Christian Schmitt 2-9 2-2 8, Robby Carmody 4-11 0-0 9, Bailey Trzeciak 2-3 0-0 6, Nate Sablowski 0-0 0-0 0, Aaron Gruber 1-3 0-0 3. Totals: 20-46 9-12 56.Cathedral Prep 15 7 21 19 — 62Mars16 6 11 23 — 563-point goals: Cathedral Prep 1 (Fustine); Mars 7 (Alex Gruber, Schmitt 2, Carmody, Trzeciak 2, Aaron Gruber)