Mars Area High School Boys Varsity Basketball Team will take on the William Penn Bearcats in the second round of the 2019 PIAA Class 5A Boys Basketball Championship at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 12, at Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School (Hollidaysburg, Pa.).

The Fightin’ Planets conquered the Milton Hershey Spartans 74-65 in the first round of the PIAA playoffs on March 8. The team advanced to the state playoffs after winning its second consecutive WPIAL Class 5A Boys Basketball Championship title on March 1.

The team corralled the Chartiers Valley Colts 53-44 in the WPIAL semifinals on Feb. 26; and trounced the Shaler Area Titans 74-52 in the WPIAL quarterfinals on Feb. 22. The Planets ended the 2018-2019 regular season with an overall record of 21-1 and remained undefeated (14-0) in section play, earning Section 3-5A title.

Tickets for all PIAA quarterfinal games are $6 for adults and $3 for students and are available for purchase from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Mars Area High School’s Athletic Office. (Note: No student tickets will be sold at the gate.)

For more information, call (724) 625-9380 or visit www.piaa.org.