The Inter-Mountain photo by Joey Kittle Elkins High School’s A.J. Friedman drives to the basket en route to scoring a layup during Class AAA, Region I semifinal action against Grafton Friday night at Richard P. Simmons Memorial Gymnasium.

ELKINS — Elkins High School is one victory away from returning to the state tournament for the second time over the past three years.

The second-seeded Tigers led from the start in cruising to a 57-23 win over seventh-seed Grafton Friday night in Class AAA, Region 1 semifinal action at Richard P. Simmons Memorial Gymasium.

Elkins (12-10) will now host another Big 10 Conference opponent — North Marion — at 7 p.m. Thursday in one of the regional championship games.

The Tigers defeated the Huskies at home in their lone meeting of the season.

Holding a 3-2 lead against the Bearcats, Elkins scored the final 12 points of the first quarter to take a 15-2 advantage.

The Tigers took a 28-7 lead into halftime.

Levi Wanless bucketed 15 points, Drew Hinzman 14 and Landon Shreve 13 to pace EHS.

Grafton, which was limited to just eight field goals by the stingy Tiger defense, was paced by Dillon America with six points.

Grafton (2-18)

Tucker Stemple 1 0-0 3, Jacob Moats 1 2-4 4, Dylan Andrew 1 0-0 3, Greyson Ramezon 0 1-2 1, Jonathan Maier 1 1-2 3, Dillan America 3 0-0 6, Jaydyn Stemple 1 1-1 3.Totals 8 5-9 23

Elkins (12-10)

Lucas D’Angelo 2 0-0 4, Levi Wanless 7 0-0 15, Drew Hinzman 4 2-2 14, A.J. Friedman 2 1-1 5, Landon Shreve 5 3-6 13,Nasiem Raiford 1 0-0 2, Catcher Goodwin 1 0-0 2, D.J. Louk 1 0-0 2. Totals 23 6-9 57

Grafton 2 5 6 10 — 23

Elkins 15 13 21 8 — 57

3-point goals: Grafton 2 (T. Stemple and Andrew), Elkins High 5 (Hinzman 4 and Wanless)