RICHFIELD — The Rich Rebels pulled off the biggest upset of the first round of the girls basketball playoffs Wednesday night.
The third-seeded Rebels beat second-ranked Wayne 55-51 behind Kierra Groll’s 20-point performance. The game was a thriller from start to finish, with Rich taking the lead from Wayne with about five minutes left in the game.
Solid foul-shooting down the stretch secured the victory for the Rebels who will play top-seeded and fifth-ranked Monticello at 4 p.m. Thursday. Melanie Lamborn added 11 points in the win.
Courtney Jackson led the Badgers with 25 points, with 19 of those coming in the first half. Maloree Mitchell added 10 points.
Fourth-ranked and fourth-seeded Panguitch pulled off a first-round upset in beating Region 17 champion, Duchesne, 26-15. Brieann Birch led the Bobcats with nine points, while Jordan Bennett added seven points. The Eagles were led by Emily Jessen and Ashtyn Spencer, who scored five points each.
Panguitch will take on Tintic in the second round of play Thursday. The Miners beat Whitehorse 47-33 in Wednesday’s first round.
St. Joseph’s beat Green River 48-30, and fifth-ranked Region 19 champion Monticello beat Valley 42-20. Tabiona upset Piute 47-39 and earned the opportunity to play St. Joseph’s in the second round.
Monument Valley defeated Wendover 53-37, while Bryce Valley edged region 20 rival Milford 30-27 to earn a second-round bid against Monument Valley.