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Top-ranked Rich and defending champion Monticello had little trouble winning first-round games Wednesday at the Class 1A boys basketball tournament at the Sevier Valley Center in Richfield.
Rich scored 51 points in the first half and saw 11 players score as the Rebels easily defeated Diamond Ranch 78-57 in a rematch of the Class 1A football title game.
Wyatt Muirbrook had 23 points and Mitch Jarman added 15 as Rich cruised to an 8:30 p.m. Thursday quarterfinal against Wayne. Corey Lewis scored 13 points for the Diamondbacks.
Monticello got 20 points from Sheldon Black, 14 from Tyler Bird and 11 from Nathan Freestone to open defense of the 1A title with a resounding 60-44 victory over Manila.
A 16-3 first-quarter lead held up for the Buckaroos. Manila was led by Matt Gonder with 12.
Region 20 fourth-place team blasted Region 18 champion St. Joseph 56-29 behind 25 points from Dason Houston and 18 from Trey Barney.
Bryce Valley, which needed a play-in game just to get into the first round and came in as the Region 20 fifth-place team, pulled the first upset of the tournament by knocking off Region 20 champion Piute 67-66 behind 26 points from Zennon Hutchings 26 and Daxtryn Tebbs' 18. Bryce Valley and Piute split during the regular season.
In the first game of the day, Wayne broke open a close game in the second quarter to take a 60-48 victory over Wendover.
The balanced Badgers got 14 from Jake Stevens, 13 from Nate Dendy, 12 from Brig Blackburn and 10 from Brandon Robins. Damian Valdez, Landyn Shepherd and Dallan Murphy each scored 11 for Wendover.
Tintic earned the right to test Monticello Thursday in the championship bracket by holding off a late Valley rally to capture a 56-50 victory. Kenny Wall scored 17, Layne Muroch 15 and Zane Evans 13 for Tintic. Cobe Reck scored 14 to pace Valley.
Tabiona had little trouble defeating Telos 78-33 as Bailey Hogan scored 22 points.
The tournament continues Thursday with four consolation games and four championship contests. Semifinals are scheduled Friday with the title game set for 5 p.m. Saturday. Class 1A Basketball
Wednesday's Games
At Sevier Valley Center, Richfield
Rich 78, Diamond Ran ch 57
Monticello 60, Manila 44
Wayne 60, Wendover 48
Tintic 56, Valley 50
Tabiona 78, Telos 33
Bryce Valley 67, Piute 66
Panguitch 56, St. Joseph 29
Thursday's Schedule
Championship Bracket
4 p.m. Green River-Duchesne winner vs.Panguitch
5:30 p.m. Tabiona vs. Bryce Valley
7 p.m. Monticello vs. Tintic
8:30 p.m. Rich vs. Wayne
Consolation Bracket
10 a.m. Manila vs. Valley
11:30a.m. Telos vs. Piute
1 p.m. Loser Green River-Duchesne vs. St. Joseph
2:30 p.m. Wendover vs. Diamond Ranch