Thanks to a heads-up play in the final seconds, Mt. Vernon has advanced to the state 1A semifinals for only the second time in the school's history. The Patriots captured a thrilling 52-51 victory over Intermountain Christian when Brandon Evans scored an unmolested layup with five seconds left.
Evans' layup capped off a frantic final 35 seconds when the lead changed hands four times. First the Lions went ahead 49-47 on a pair of foul shots by Andy Beck. But the Patriots came back to take the lead on a 3-point shot by Scott Lambson. The lead was short-lived as the Lions went ahead on an inside shot by Ben Addington with nine seconds left.However after the basket, the Lions failed get back defensively and Evans took a pass from Dave Burbank and hit the winning points.
"That's a Brandon-Burbank Special," said Evans. "As soon as the shot goes up, I go and he launches. He put in right on the money and all I had to do was make the shot."
After Evans' basket, ICHS had one last chance, but Jeremy Heiser's shot from midcourt just missed.
"I'm in shock," said Mt. Vernon coach Mike Lambson. "For a team with our size to make the final four is kind of a miracle."
Mt. Vernon Academy is a private school located in Murray. The only time the Patriots made it as far as the semis was 1985 when they lost. ICHS, a private school near Sandy, has never finished higher than 8th place in its 11-year history.
The Patriots led for most of the game, but the Lions kept coming back, including a 10-point deficit with 3:20 left. Heiser, who led all scorers with 27 points, led the comeback and his 3-pointer with 1:17 left put ICHS ahead 47-45. Evans led Mt. Vernon with 19 and Burbank added 14.
In other championship bracket games, Rowland Hall held on to edge Wendover 64-62, Piute pounded Duchesne 78-59 and Valley routed Rich 55-34.
That means a pair of Region 12 teams, Piute and Valley, will play the first semifinal Friday at 6 p.m., while two Region 11 teams, Rowland Hall and Mt. Vernon, meet in the other semi at 7:30 p.m. Saturday's final will be at 5 p.m.
Rowland Hall 64, Wendover 62
Three-pointers were raining in this contest as each team made eight treys on the night. A 3-point try by Josh Woofinden with two seconds left would have given the Wildcats the victory, but it bounced away.
The Winged Lions took a comfortable 45-32 third-quarter lead as Rylan Sumner hit four 3-pointers in the period. But the Wildcats clawed back and pulled within one at 56-55 on a trey by Ty Wadsworth midway through the fourth quarter.
Rowland Hall went back up by four in the final minute, but Matt Kennedy knocked down a three with 28 seconds left to make it 63-62. Tom Kuhnel, who led the Rowland Hall scoring with 21 points, finished off the scoring with a foul shot.
Sophomore Chris Alexis scored 17 for the Winged Lions and Sumner added 14. Kennedy and Chris Chandler led Wendover with 17 apiece and Wadsworth chipped in 14.
Piute 78, Duchesne 59
The T-Birds jumped out to a big first-half lead, watched the Eagles climb within seven midway through the final quarter, then regrouped to win going away.
Jared Robinson scored 22 of his game-high 29 points in the first half to lead Piute. The Eagles got 17 from Brandon Rowley.
Valley 55, Rich 34
After taking an early 10-4 lead, the Rebels could do little right as the Buffaloes blew past them and into the semifinals.
Jared Hoyt led the Valley scoring with 15 points, Kyle Spencer and Lynar Young hit 12 apiece and Tony Baird added 10.
The cold-shooting Rebels, who were ranked No. 1 for much of the season in 1A, didn't manage to get anyone in double figures as Kyle Frandsen and Nate Pugmire led the way with 8 apiece.
In consolation action Thursday, Bryce Valley, Escalante, Monticello and Panguitch all won and were to play early Friday afternoon.
Bryce Valley 74, Tabiona 65
The Mustangs outscored the Tigers 25-9 in the pivotal third quarter to stay alive for another day. Derrick Clark led the scoring with 24 points, while Tabiona's Jake Fabrizio had another fine game with 30 points.
Monticello 79, Meridian 41
The Buckaroos jumped out to a 47-18 halftime lead and coasted home against the Mongooses, who made a quick exit from their first state tournament. Six Monticello players scored in double figures led by Chad Tracy with 14. Aaron Huff led Meridian with 13.
Escalante 86, Green River 58
The Moquis bounced back from their disappointing first-round loss and had little trouble with the Pirates. Thirteen players scored for Escalante, led by Clay Stewart with 15. John Hughes had a fine game for Green River with 35 points.
Panguitch 63, Dugway 56
Markay Englestead scored 28 points to lead the Bobcats, who came from behind in the second half to win. Randy Chesley scored 18 for the Mustangs.