Hampton-Mars rivalry as strong as ever

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, March 12, 2018 | 12:21 AM

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Section alignments change frequently in the WPIAL, leaving little time for rivalries to properly marinate. That hasn't been the case for Hampton and Mars in basketball.

With bordering districts similar in size and socioeconomics, many kids from Hampton and Mars grow up playing each other in a number of sports. But basketball has been highly competitive on the boys and girls sides for years.

The boys have shared a section for the better part of two decades, but recent success has seen the Planets and Talbots pitted against each other more than the typical two times per season. The teams have played 13 times in the past four years, including matchups in the WPIAL and state playoffs the last two.

“I think what makes the Mars rivalry unique across the board is that our communities are so similar,” Hampton boys basketball coach Joe Lafko said. “When the kids in schools talk about rivalries, certainly that one stands out for a lot of factors: our communities and our ability to compete against each other.”

Mars has the edge lately, winning six of those eight matchups, including a sweep this winter that included a 68-47 win in the first round of the PIAA playoffs.

However, Hampton got the better of Mars in the WPIAL semifinals last season, denying the favored Planets a chance at a WPIAL title. That came after a Ben Perdziola tip-in at the buzzer gave Mars the regular-season section title in its last home game of the season. For Mars coach Rob Carmody, that game is one of many that stands out.

“There's been a lot of hotly contested one-possession games here and there,” Carmody said. “It's usually a kid making a big play. It's not a mistake. It adds to the intensity of the rivalry. There's been so many games and many really good players that have come through both sides.”

Carmody shares a long history with Lafko that goes beyond the past two decades at their respective schools. Both spent time under former Westminster coach Ron Galbreath. Lafko graduated in 1988 and Carmody in 1994. So the programs share philosophical tenets.

“Coach Galbreath's motto was ‘hard, smart, together,'” said Carmody. “Twenty years later, that's our motto at Mars. I wouldn't try to reinvent the wheel. Without putting words in Joe's mouth, I know those things are important to him, too, because it's what we learned. We both share that experience, so there are a lot of similarities in what our programs are trying to do.”

From a player's perspective, the rivalry is special in basketball because of the continued success of all the programs.

“It's just a completely different game,” boys senior captain Adam Bittner said. “You play that game like no other team. Obviously every team is important, but there's just something special when you go to play Mars. It's a different feel. It's like a championship game every time. Football, basketball, girls volleyball … you've got to beat Mars. We just push each other.”

While the boys side has seen a number of matchups recently, the girls basketball rivalry might be even more competitive. The Hampton girls have won six section titles the last seven years. Four of those titles were split with the Planets.

Hampton girls coach Tony Howard has a unique perspective. He recently completed his third season at Hampton after eight seasons at Mars. He thinks the competition is simply about the fact both teams are always good but downplayed any animosity.

“I think mainly it's because it's a big game against a good team,” Howard said after Mars ended the Talbots' season with a 48-41 victory in the WPIAL quarterfinals. “I'd be disappointed with whoever we played that we lost to. I don't find it to be this hateful rivalry that people make it out to be. Many times, these girls play together in all-star games.”

Hampton star guard Laryn Edwards touched upon that notion as well. She maintains a friendship with Mars' Tai Johnson, whom she works out with.

“I get nervous for important games,” Edwards said. “But them especially. Even though we're friends off the court, I want to beat her on the court. It's a fun game to actually play in. There's going to be more people (at the games).”

Devon Moore is a freelance writer.

Tags: Hampton, Mars