SAN ANTONIO — In three previous trips to the state tournament, coach Ryan Bleiker’s Jayton Jaybirds had fallen short in their quest for the program’s first-ever state championship. 

Trip No. 4, however, was the charm, ending in Saturday’s dramatic 60-53 win over highly touted Benjamin and star guard Grayson Rigdon at the Alamodome. 

Colt Gentry scored 19 points while Ayden Salazar and Sean Stanaland added 14 points each to pace Jayton (38-3), which fought its way through four ties and 12 lead changes to finally emerge on top in the end. 

Rigdon, who entered as one of the nation’s top scorers at more than 45 points per game, led the Mustangs (24-2) with a game-high 32 points.