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Richfield • Until this year, Monticello's girls basketball team had not won a region title since 1987.
So perhaps the Region 19 champs could be excused for their slow start against Rich Thursday in the quarterfinals of the Class 1A tournament at the Sevier Valley Center when they fell behind by 11 points.
Monticello rallied behind junior Atlanta Black's 22 points to capture a 56-53 win and earn the right to meet Panguitch on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
"Nerves," said coach Ben Wolford. "We've always got to this game and we've always lost. We've got all these expectations. We have not made it to the semifinals for a long a time. We are in uncharted territory now."
Black and Allie Maughan agreed that it took a while to get used to Rich's style of play.
Black, who had to sit out the final minutes due to a badly twisted ankle, scored eight points to tie the game at 17. The Bucks didn't get their first lead until the second half.
Michaela Wolford, who finished with 12 points, hit five straight in the third quarter to give the Bucks a 44-37 lead. Lilia Brown (17) and Melanie Labourn (13) led Rich.
The Rebels fought back to within two points in the final minute. Maughan hit two big free throws. She hit seven of 12 in the final quarter as Rich was forced to foul.
Black said she would walk off the twisted ankle and play Friday against Panguitch.
Panguitch 42, Tabiona 22 • After a rough first half, the two-time defending champion and top-ranked Bobcats put on a defensive exhibition in the third quarter and turned a 17-10 lead into a 30-10 lead. Taylor Bennett scored 12 and Whitney Orton and Chesney Campbell each had 11 for the Bobcats.
Bryce Valley 41, Parowan 20 • The Mustangs beat Region 9 rival Parowan for the fourth time this season and used a stifling defense to advance to the semifinals. Samantha Chynoweth led the Bryce Valley attack with nine.
Duchesne 19, Valley 15 • Region 17 champion Duchesne struggled for three quarters against Valley's slowdown but rallied in the fourth quarter to advance to the semifinals. Duchesne trailed 13-8 after three quarters but outscored Valley 11-2 in the fourth. Darian Morlan scored the two go ahead buckets in the fourth quarter for the Eagles.
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