LEVELLAND — Few expected unranked Happy to reach a regional tournament and perhaps even fewer gave the Cowboys a shot at topping second-ranked Jayton in Friday’s Region I-1A semifinal at South Plains College. 

Whatever pregame doubts may have existed, Jayton quickly put a stop to all of them by gaining a permanent upperhand in the opening quarter on the way to a 61-42 win. 

Ben Blankenship scored 14 points and Sean Stanaland added 12 more to lead Jayton (36-2), which will face No. 15 Lorenzo (26-10) for the regional title on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.