(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Cedar's Brock Englestead reacts to the loss. Morgan High School defeated Cedar High School 69-57 during their 3A Utah High School Boys Basketball quarterfinal matchup at Weber State University, February 21, 2013.

3A boys’ basketball: Morgan rides balance past Cedar City

3A quarterfinals » Five Trojans score at least nine points to fuel fourth-quarter push to victory.

By Ben Raskin

| Special to The Tribune

First Published Feb 21 2013 09:29 pm • Last Updated Feb 22 2013 01:21 am

Ogden • Morgan, which was playing in its own backyard, rode a balanced attack into the Class 3A state semifinals Thursday.

Five Morgan players scored at least nine points in the Trojans’ 69-57 victory over Cedar City.

It took the Trojans a quarter to find their rhythm, and the teams entered the second quarter tied at 13-13. But that’s when Morgan’s leading scorer, Jake Miles, took over.

"He’s a great scorer, but the bottom line is that he’ll do whatever it takes to win," Morgan coach Jim Wiscombe said. "It makes it easier for other guys [to score] because there is so much pressure to guard Jake."

Miles finished with 16 points and four assists.

Bridger Streadbeck and Ben Saunders were beneficiaries of Cedar City’s double team on Miles. Streadbeck and Saunders combined for 20 points and were the difference in Morgan’s fourth-quarter push.

Cedar pulled even during the third quarter at 45-45 thanks in part to Dustin Staggs, who had 18 points.

Cedar looked like it seized the momentum, but Saunders finished consecutive buckets and started a 10-point rally for the Trojans.

"Ben had the game of his life today," Miles said. "He’s been doing this all year, but he came out and finished better than I’ve seen."

Morgan faces Wasatch in Friday’s semifinals.

Miles said he is excited about matching up with an equally fast-paced squad.

"If everyone chips in, we’re going to win," Miles said. "When we play good ball, we can play with anyone."

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