Pelaia is a four-year member of Mars Area High School Girls Varsity Basketball Team. This season, she averaged 17 points and 10 rebounds per game and she surpassed 1,000 career points.
She helped lead the Lady Planets to the first round of the 2019-2020 WPIAL Class 5A Girls Varsity Basketball Championships; and, to the quarterfinals of the 2018-2019 WPIAL playoffs. She was also a member of the team that won the 2017-2018 PIAA Class 5A Girls Varsity Basketball Championship Title; took fourth place in the WPIAL Class 5A Girls Varsity Basketball Championship; and, tied for the Section 4-5A title.
Pelaia has signed a letter of intent to join the Mountaineers Women’s Basketball Team at Mount St. Mary’s University (Emmitsburg, Md.), where she plans to major in bio-chemistry/pre-med.
At Mars Area High School, she is a member of German National Honor Society, Key Club, National Honor Society, REACH (Responsible Educated Adolescents Can Help), and she plays piano. In the community, she also plays with the Western PA Bruins Basketball AAU Team.
For more information, call (724) 625-9380.
Basketball Player Named to All-State First Team
Carmody is the only player in Pennsylvania selected for the All-State First Team for both basketball and football this school year. During his basketball career, Carmody started in three consecutive WPIAL Class 5A championships and finished his career with 1,182 points and 1,156 rebounds.
During the 2019-2020 season, he helped lead the Fightin’ Planets to the first round of the PIAA Class 5A Boys Basketball Championship. The team took second place in the 2019-2020 WPIAL Class 5A Boys Basketball Championship and earned its eighth consecutive section title.
Carmody has signed a letter of intent to join the Fighting Irish Football Team at the University of Notre Dame, where he plans to major in engineering. In addition to his basketball career, he is ranked the No. 2 overall football player in Pennsylvania and the No. 13 offensive tackle.
For more information, call (724) 625-9380.
Basketball Players Named to Butler Eagle Honor Roll
Several members of Mars Area High School Boys and Girls Varsity Basketball Teams were named to the 2019-2020 Butler Eagle Honor Roll.
Senior Bella Pelaia (forward) was selected for the First Tier; and, sophomore Ava Black (forward) and junior Alek Johnson (guard) for the Third Tier of the Girls Basketball Honor Roll.
Senior Michael Carmody (forward) was chosen for the First Tier; and, junior Mihali Sfanos (guard) for the Third Tier of the Boys Basketball Honor Roll. Sophomore Zach Schlegel (sophomore) received an Honorable Mention.
For more information, call (724) 625-9380.
Basketball Player Named to Tribune-Review Trib 10
Carmody, a four-year member of Mars Area High School Boys Varsity Basketball Team, averaged 19.0 points and 19.5 rebounds this season. He started in three consecutive WPIAL Class 5A championships and finished his career with 1,182 points and 1,156 rebounds.
This season, Carmody helped lead the Fightin’ Planets to the first round of the 2019-2020 PIAA Class 5A Boys Basketball Championship. The team took second place in the 2019-2020 WPIAL Class 5A Boys Basketball Championship and earned its eighth consecutive section title.
Carmody has signed a letter of intent to join the Fighting Irish Football Team at the University of Notre Dame, where he plans to major in engineering. In addition to his basketball career, he is ranked the No. 2 overall football player in Pennsylvania and the No. 13 offensive tackle.
For more information, call (724) 625-9380.
Players Named to All-Section Basketball Teams
Senior Michael Carmody (forward) and junior Mihali Sfanos (guard) were selected for the Section 3-5A Boys Basketball First Team; and, sophomore Zachary Schlegel (guard) to the Second Team; and junior Joey Craska (guard) for an honorable mention. Rob Carmody, head coach, was named Section 3-5A Coach of the Year.
This season, the Fightin’ Planets advanced to the first round of the 2019-2020 PIAA Class 5A Boys Basketball Championship; took second place in the 2019-2020 WPIAL Class 5A Boys Basketball Championship and earned its eighth consecutive section title.
This season, the Lady Planets advanced to the first round of the 2019-2020 WPIAL Class 5A Girls Basketball Championship.
For more information, visit https://pabig56.com/.
Players Nominated for Mr. & Miss Pennsylvania Basketball Award
Four members of Mars Area High School Boys and Girls Varsity Basketball Teams nominated for 2020 Mr. & Miss Pennsylvania Basketball Award.
Senior Michael Carmody (forward) and junior Mihali Sfanos (guard) were nominated for Mr. PA Basketball; and senior Bella Pelaia (guard) and junior Alek Johnson (guard) for Miss PA Basketball.
The award recognizes the best high school basketball players in Pennsylvania. For details, visit www.pabball.com.
Basketball Player Named to Post-Gazette Fab 5
Carmody averaged 19.0 points and 19.5 rebounds; shot 64 percent from the court and 71 percent from the free-throw line; and he made six three-pointers this season. He started in three consecutive WPIAL Class 5A championships and finished his career with 1,182 points and 1,156 rebounds.
This season, Carmody helped lead the Fightin’ Planets to the first round of the 2019-2020 PIAA Class 5A Boys Basketball Championship. The team took second place in the 2019-2020 WPIAL Class 5A Boys Basketball Championship and earned its eighth consecutive section title
Carmody has signed a letter of intent to join the Fighting Irish Football Team at the University of Notre Dame (Notre Dame, Ind.), where he plans to major in engineering. In addition to his basketball career, he is ranked the No. 2 overall football player in Pennsylvania and the No. 13 offensive tackle.
For more information, contact the Athletics Office at (724) 625-9380.
Basketball Player Named Leading Rebounder in Nation
Carmody averaged 19.5 rebounds this season and finished his high school career with 1,156 rebounds. He also averaged 19.0 points per game and earned a career total of 1,182 points.
This season, Carmody helped lead the Fightin’ Planets to the first round of the 2019-2020 PIAA Class 5A Boys Basketball Championship. The team took second place in the 2019-2020 WPIAL Class 5A Boys Basketball Championship and earned its eighth consecutive section title.
Carmody has signed a letter of intent to join the Fighting Irish Football Team at the University of Notre Dame (Notre Dame, Ind.), where he plans to major in engineering. In addition to his basketball career, he is ranked the No. 2 overall football player in Pennsylvania and the No. 13 offensive tackle.
For more information, visit www.maxpreps.com/m/news/7RmzZf1AxESMZVqpYIRSjQ/final-national-high-school-boys-basketball-rebound-leaders.htm.
PIAA Class 5A Boys Basketball Championship
Mars Area High School Boys Varsity Basketball Team advanced to the first round of the 2019-2020 PIAA Class 5A Boys Basketball Championship on March 6, but was defeated 58-56 in overtime by the Elizabethtown Area Bears.
Despite a 52-51 loss to the Laurel Highlands Mustangs in the final game of the 2019-2020 WPIAL Class 5A Boys Basketball Championship on Feb. 28, the Fightin’ Planets took second place and qualified for the state playoffs.
The team broke the Chartiers Valley Colts 59-50 in the WPIAL Semifinals on Feb. 25; and tamed the South Fayette Lions 57-44 in the WPIAL Quarterfinals on Feb. 21. The Planets ended the 2019-2020 regular season with an overall record of 17-5 and 12-2 in Section 3-5A, earning the team’s eighth consecutive section title.
Players on this year’s team include senior Michael Carmody, who surpassed 1,000 career points this season, as well as seniors Joseph Craska, Jared Kozora and Ryan Peaco; juniors Nate Rousch, Anthony Savona, Eric Schaffner, Mihali Sfanos and Anthony Vargo; and sophomores Austin Cote, Bryce Cunningham, Chris Dvorak, Jonah Kozora and Zach Schlegel; and freshmen Pete Craska and Tasso Sfanos.
For more information, visit www.piaa.org.
WPIAL Class 5A Girls Basketball Championship
Mars Area High School Girls Varsity Basketball Team advanced to the first round of the 2019-2020 WPIAL Class 5A Girls Basketball Championship on Feb. 18, but was defeated 52-46 by the Moon Area Tigers.
The Lady Planets ended the 2019-2020 regular season with an overall record of 15-7 and 8-4 in Section 2-5A play.
Players on this year’s team included senior Bella Pelaia, who surpassed 1,000 career points this season and has signed a letter of intent to join the Mountaineers Women’s Basketball Team at Mount St. Mary’s University, as well as juniors Madeleine Horvath, Alek Johnson and Carly Kern; sophomores Kristin Bayuk, Ava Black, Kylee Fredericks, Claire Guinee, Alena Kostial, Kaitlyn Pelaia, Allie Rice, Sara Soltis and Jess Winters; and freshmen Olivia Donnelly, Lauren Atwell, Avery Bennett, Alexa McDole, and Megan Yanief.
For more information, visit www.wpial.org.