RICHFIELD -- While some had guaranteed Layton Christian Academy's cakewalk into the state 1-A boys basketball title game, the Tabiona Tigers had their own plans.
A day after knocking off Region 18 champion Tintic, the Tigers took on Region 17 champion LCA on Thursday in the quarterfinal-round action at the Sevier Valley Center.
And even though many of the fans were pulling for tiny Tabiona -- and who doesn't love a tournament upset -- the Eagles turned back the upstarts win an encouraging 46-36 victory.
Coach Bobby Porter's senior-laden squad will now take on either Green River or Rich into today's first semifinal at 6 p.m.
Layton Christian (12-9 overall) led virtually from start to finish, but a frigid shooting night from outside kept Tabiona in the contest.
The Eagles, winners of 10 of their last 11 contests, did control the paint though, and made enough free throws down the stretch to advance.
Joe Haugen scored 17 points and teamed up with Quincy Mason and Scifon Shayaka to own the glass. Mason added six points while Victor Flores, Duce Namazi and Jake Maughn added five apiece.
Demont Nay paced Tabiona with 16. The Tigers pulled to within three points late in the contest.
Duchesne 83, St. Joseph 41
At Richfield, the Jayhawks couldn't match the outside shooting of Duchesne and were ousted from the 1-A tourney.
Zach Johnston and David Donlevy led St. Joseph (7-14 overall) with 12 and 11 points, respectively. Pat Choffel added seven points as St. Joseph made its first tournament appearance in five seasons.
The young Jayhawks fell behind 22-9 after a quarter and never could make up the difference.
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