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Ogden • Who could have expected Hillcrest from much-maligned Region Two to lead powerful Layton by four points late in the fourth quarter in the first round of the Class 5A boys basketball tournament?

But the Lancers finally got a dunk, a three-pointer and some free throws to hold on for a 61-54 victory over Hillcrest and their expected Wednesday date with Bingham.

"That's where we live," said Layton coach Kelby Miller. "We live in five, six point games. Our kids know how to respond in those situations."

Hillcrest had taken a 54-50 lead and had all the momentum. Playing behind Eli Walch who had a great fourth quarter, the Huskies seemed prime for the year's biggest upset.

But Layton's great Jarriesse Blackmon dunked down a put back. Then Boston Armistead hit a three-pointer to give Layton the lead with 1:37 to play.

Hillcrest's Tanner Thompson's three pointer went in and out and Layton hit six straight free throws to complete an 11-0 run to advance.

"In a state tournament, anything is going to happen," said Miller. "I thought our kids showed a lot of composure in that one to come back. We were never really out of it, hung around and finally sealed the deal at the end."

This was a strange game of strengths and weaknesses.

Layton used its superior quickness and fine press to force Hillcrest into 23 turnovers. But Hillcrest battled hard on the boards and was almost perfect from the line.

And free throws were the big difference in this one, with Layton hitting 21 of 33 compared to the Huskies 10 of 12.

Julian Blackmon scored 19 points and hauled in seven rebounds while Jarriesse had 16 points and 12 boards. Armistead added 13.

Hillcrest got a balanced effort with Walchj scoring 12 and Stockton Ashby 11.

wharton@sltrib.com

Twitter @tribtomwharton —

— Layton scores the last 11 points of the game to avoid a major upset.

— Lancers Jarriesse and Julian Blackmon combine for 35 points and 19 rebounds.

— Hillcrest, one of the tournament's biggest underdogs, led by four points late in the fourth quarter and almost pulled off a shocker.