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Ogden • You know life is pretty good when two starters combine for one point but the squad rolls to a 23-point win in a state quarterfinal contest.

Such is the case these days for the Bingham Miners, the defending Class 5A boys' basketball state champs, as they beat back Viewmont 74-51 on Wednesday.

The Miners leaned on an old-standby — if you consider a high school senior old. That was Tanner Davis, who missed an opening-round win over Northridge with a case of strep throat but felt well enough to come off the bench for 16 points Wednesday.

"Doctor said it was contagious, so I decided to not play Monday, not get the team sick," Davis sad about Monday's win. "Coach sees me as kind of a spark coming off the bench. I think we have really good guys starting. Coming in, I just do the best I can."

Bingham coach Jake Schroeder said: "Tanner's a special kid. He's been with me since his freshman year. He quietly gets it done. Over at West Jordan, a tough place to play, he had his career high. He can really shoot it and is just a great teammate."

Fellow senior Lleyton Parker led all players with 21 points and was instrumental in a 15-0 run by Bingham (22-3) over the last two minutes of the first quarter and opening moments of the second.

In a 13-13 tie, Parker put back a miss then got a feed from Jaylon Vickers for another basket.

Parker then tipped away a Viewmont (16-8) pass and released for a fastbreak bucket. He was fouled on that play and converted the free throw for a 21-13 lead.

"I have all the respect in the world for coach [Jeff] Emery and that team," Schroeder said. "I was really nervous about drawing them because they run their stuff so well, particularly because they defend so well in that 2-3 zone."

Bingham's 6-foot-11 senior center Branden Carlson helped break the zone by nailing a 3-point attempt — part of an 18-point, seven-rebounds, five-blocks effort.

Carlson later showed his abilities with mid-range jumpers, flashing to the hoop with the ball and a reverse dunk late in the game.

"He's a special talent. I don't think a lot of people know how good he really is," Schroeder said. "I think Utah got a steal in getting him. He's the only 6-11 kid that can do a standing backflip."

But about that 3 to start the game?

"Yeah, I'll be honest — I about killed him," the Miners coach said. "We wanted to go inside to him right off the bat, and he steps out and shoots a 3.

"That was one of those, 'It's a really crappy shot, but he made it. So I'll take it." —

Bingham 74, Viewmont 51

• Bingham works its way into the semifinals behind 21 points from Lleyton Parker. Fellow Miners seniors Branden Carlsen (18 points), Tanner Davis (16) and Dason Youngblood (11) all also break into double figures.

• Parker scores 11 straight Bingham points in one stretch of the first quarter. The Miners register a 15-0 run between the end of the first and beginning of the second periods.

• Jared Stringham scores 11 points, while Chandler Cox adds 10 for Viewmont.