Springville's freshmen played like veterans and helped the Orioles extend their season for at least one more game.

   Three freshmen combined for Springville's first 17 points and the 11th-ranked Orioles held on to beat No. 4 Fremont-Mills 53-50 to reach the Class 1A semifinals.

   Megan Wagaman got free for a layup to break a 50-50 tie with 15 seconds left and Sarah Matus sank a free throw with 4.3 seconds remaining after rebounding a Fremont-Mills miss. The Orioles and their fans then held their breaths as Macy Williams' desperation 3-point shot from halfcourt just missed finding the basket at the buzzer.

Wagaman, a junior, led Springville (22-3) with 14 points and Matus, a senior, added 13. Freshmen Mikayla Nachazel and Rylee Menster keyed Springville's fast start, Menster finishing with nine points and Nachazel eight.

   Fremont-Mills rallied from a 16-point deficit behind the long range shooting of Macy Williams and Taryn Williams. Macy hit four 3s and finished with 20 points. Taryn knocked down five shots from long range en route to a 19-point outing.

   Springville led 31-15 late in the first half and was up 39-26 after consecutive 3s by Matus and Rachel Gloeckner early in the third quarter. The Knights then began chipping away and finally drew to a tie at 47 when Macy Williams buried a 3 with 3:17 to play.

   After the Orioles inched ahead 50-47, Taryn Williams hit a 3 from the left wing to produce the final tie with 33 seconds left.

   Springville will play No. 2 Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton in the semifinals at 10 a.m. Thursday. The Orioles are in the tournament for the first time since back-to-back appearances in the championship game in 2008 and 2009. They won the title in 2008.

   Fremont-Mills made it back to state on the 50th anniversary of its only other appearance. The Knights finish 23-2.