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Riverton • Led by four-time defending Class 5A champion Lone Peak, an easy argument can be made that Region 4 is the toughest league in Utah boys' basketball this season.

All seven schools went into league play with winning records, a fact that made Riverton's hard-fought 53-49 home victory over rival Herriman Tuesday night a big deal.

That's because, come state tournament time, three very good teams won't even make it to the dance.

"In this league, you have to protect your home court and win the close ones," said a hoarse Silverwolf coach Skyler Wilson after his team's come-from-behind victory. "Every game will be close. There is small room for error."

That makes for hard-fought, intense and entertaining basketball, which was certainly the case Tuesday.

Herriman, led by star David Maynard's 26 points, led most of this one. The Mustangs built leads as large as eight points in the first half.

But Riverton, trying to do what Wilson said was make Maynard a little uncomfortable and stop the rest of Herriman, stayed within striking distance.

Six-foot-6 senior forward Jaron Jones proved to be the catalyst. He scored 10 of his team-high 19 points in the second half. His two baskets late in the fourth quarter broke a 46-46 tie and gave Riverton the lead for good with 2:51 to play.

But that didn't mean Maynard and Herriman wouldn't keep it close.

Maynard hit a free throw with 1:39 left to play. After Jones converted on one of two, Maynard put the Mustangs within 51-49 with one minute to play.

Wilson elected to play keepaway at that point and Herriman waited to foul until there were 14 seconds left. When Riverton's Stetson Rigby hit two free throws, the game was out of reach and the Silverwolves evened their league record at 1-1 and improved to 9-4 on the season.

Spencer Anderson had 12 points and Joey Andrews added 11 as Riverton kept pace in what promises to be one of the state's most interesting fights for four state tournament spots.

wharton@sltrib.com

Twitter @tribtomwharton —

Storylines

• Jaron Jones' 19 points helps Riverton rally in the fourth quarter

• Riverton improves to 9-4 on the season and 1-1 in Region Four with the win

• David Maynard leads Herriman with 26 points