The top-ranked Beaver Beavers avoided the upset bug, but three of the other ranked teams fell in the first round of the 2A boys state basketball championship at the Dixie Center Thursday.
Beaver posted a 62-45 comeback victory over fourth-ranked Morgan to advance to today's semifinals against Region 13 rival San Juan.The Beavers appeared to be just another ranked team on its way to a first round defeat after falling behind by 10 points at the end of the first quarter.
But Beaver got back on track in the second quarter and took the lead for good late in the third quarter.
Beaver and San Juan will play at 7:30 p.m. tonight with the winner advancing to Saturday's title game against the North Sevier/Millard winner.
In other tournament action:
San Juan 49, Manti 48
The Broncos pulled the biggest upset of the first round by shocking the Templars. A.J. Mexican's putback in the final minute sealed the victory for San Juan. Alan Cox led all scorers with 14 points for Manti.
North Sevier 65, Juab 45
Tweeb Gladwell scored 22 points to help the third-ranked Wolves keep their title hopes alive with a victory over the Wasps. Cody Braithwaite added 14 points for North Sevier, while J.C. Reed netted 19 for Juab.
Millard 55, South Sevier 30
The fifth-ranked Rams were the third ranked team to bite the dust after falling to the soaring Eagles. Millard blew the game open in the second half thanks to an 18-4 third-quarter edge. Jason Borup scored 16 points to lead the way for the Eagles.