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Ogden • The defense did not rest. Not this night. Not for the Layton Lancers.

Julian Blackmon's steal of an inbound pass with 27.2 seconds left was indicative of Layton's performance throughout a 48-41 victory against Viewmont in the Class 5A state semifinals Friday.

"That's what these guys have been doing all year long," Layton coach Kelby Miller said. "That's when I honestly think that we're at our best, and the kids rise to the occasion. That was Julian being Julian."

Layton (17-7) will play Brighton in the title game Saturday afternoon, in a rematch of a Dec. 11 meeting the Lancers won, 62-59.

Viewmont (15-10) got 26 points from Austin Johnson and 13 from Jake Walker — 39 of 41 points from two players.

"What's crazy about it was those two guys were the main focus," Miller said. "Our guys wanted to get out, play defense. Their two guys did a great job for them. I thought the difference was we shut everybody else down."

The Lancers ended three of the four quarters with big defensive plays, including Jakoby Kemp's block on a breakaway layup attempt in the first quarter, and Blackmon's steal and eventual free throws with 1:11 remaining in the third quarter.

In all, Layton forced 12 turnovers, which led to 16 points.

With top scorer Jarriesse Blackmon struggling with his shot and then sitting with foul trouble, the Lancers turned to Kemp for offense. The junior scored all 10 of his points in the second quarter, including two 3-pointers.

He made six 3s in the regular season.

"I was just trying to get my team pumped, trying to get them in the game," Kemp said. "Jarriesse wasn't hitting too well, so I just took over."

Layton's Matt Cragun went 4 for 4 from the free-throw line in the final 21 seconds to seal the victory and lead the team with 11 points.

Layton began the season with losses to Lone Peak, Copper Hills, Mountain Crest and Bountiful — a brutal schedule that toughened what Miller called a "special" team.

"That's one of the reasons we scheduled the way we did," Miller said. "Obviously we've got a pretty tough region — with three of the final four teams being in this thing. All those things prepped us for this." —

Layton 48, Viewmont 41

R Layton sees a 12-point second-half lead dwindle to one, but hangs on to beat its Region 1 foe.

• Matt Cragun scores a team-high 11 points for the Lancers, including the game's final four on free throws.

• Austin Johnson (26) and Jake Walker (13) account for 39 of Viewmont's 41 points.