On paper it looked like a thrilling matchup: Sky View, the defending 4A boys' basketball champion, versus the perennial 5A power Viewmont Vikings.

On the court, however, it turned out to be a non-thriller as the fifth-ranked Vikings (6-0) schooled the visiting Wildcats (3-3) in a 74-54 blowout Thursday night. It's a lesson that Sky View coach Kevin Dustin hopes his team will remember for the rest of the season."I told our kids afterward that instead of whining or feeling bad about this game they ought to look at the tape and say, `We ought to be like Viewmont. We ought to learn to play the game like Viewmont,' " Dustin said. "I'm just impressed. I would love to have my team play as well as they do."

The Vikings jumped to a 14-7 lead at the end of the first quarter despite the fact that their leading scorer, Jeremy Jeppesen, didn't score a point in the period. Cody Skinner, one of four junior starters, scored seven first-quarter points to pace the Vikes.

Viewmont gave itself a bit more breathing room at the beginning of the second quarter with a 9-0 run as Gerron Dover hit two consecutive baskets and Jeppesen scored five points in a quick scoring burst. The Vikings then outscored Sky View 12-4 in the last few minutes of the first half to stretch the lead to 35-18.

The Vikings continued to pull away in the third quarter and eventually stretched the lead to 33 points before both sides conceded play to their benches.

Skinner led all scorers with a career-high 19 points and held Sky View's Ken Clark, who averages over 20 points per game, to only 10 points. After scoring only five points in the first half, Jeppesen warmed up to finish with 14 overall.

No other Viewmont player scored in double figures, but six Vikings finished with seven points or better. Joe Walton scored nine, Scott Burningham and Brian Bowles had eight apiece and Dover added seven.

Elsewhere in the state:

Clearfield 71, Ben Lomond 60

At Ben Lomond, Clearfield's Brad Lessey made most of his shots against the Scots to score 29 points. Jeremy Bair added 22 for the Falcons, while Chad Hinds led Ben Lomond with 23.

Beaver 68, Parowan 38

At Beaver, the No. 1-ranked Beavers jumped to an 18-3 first quarter lead and never looked back. Kevin Brown led the way with 15 points and 12 rebounds while the Beavers' bench scored 20 points.

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Juab 68, Snow Canyon 61

At Juab, the Wasps held off a fourth quarter Warrior rally for a non-region win. Dave Jensen hit 9 of 11 shots including two three-pointers to set the scoring pace. J.C. Reid added six assists.

Dixie 75, Tuva City 62

At the Page Arizona tournament, the Flyers won a first-round victory to keep their hopes for an out-of-state championship alive. Robbie Rignell scored 18 points and Jeff Andrus chipped in 16 for Dixie.

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