SNYDER — Playing the defending Region II-1A champion and fourth-ranked Irion County Hornets in the opening game of their first regional tournament in program history, it was the No. 19 Benjamin Mustangs who looked like state tournament veterans Friday at The Coliseum. 

BHS raced out to a quick 10-0 lead and answered every Irion County run from there to claim a 67-52 wire-to-wire victory over a Hornets squad that was widely considered to be the region favorite again this year.

The win, which might have come as a surprise to some, was no such thing for the Mustangs, who will play for their first state berth at 2 p.m. Saturday against No. 7 Garden City, which defeated Munday 54-34 in Friday’s other semifinal matchup.