First round games in class 2A and 1A highlighted the opening day of the boys state basketball tournament. In class 2A, Brandon Myers scored 18 of his game-high 24 points in the second half as top ranked PCM Monroe held off Aplington-Parkersburg 62-54. Myers managed only three shots in the opening half but was four of seven in the second half, including a pair of three pointers that helped PCM build a 10-point advantage in the fourth quarter. He says you can’t force things, you have to let the game come to you.The Mustangs head back to the semifinals after losing in last year’s opening round.The Falcons canned seven three pointers but PCM’s zone held A-P center Levi Whitmire in check. Falcons coach Brian Buseman says they wanted to push the ball, and he says when they did push, they got easy shots, but P-C-M played good defense on Whitemire.In Class 1A, third ranked Bellevue Marquette got 20-points and 19-rebounds from Brandon Moore to down ninth ranked North Mahaska 73-58. He says they knew they couldn’t be nervous, and they weren’t until near the end of the game. The six-seven Moore and 6-10 sophomore Jordan Eglseder combined for 35-points and 37 rebounds. He says it helps to have two big guys, because they can pass it back and forth or kick it out for a three when needed.Chay Lewis and Blake McGriff each had 18-points to lead North Mahaska.Second rated Manning broke open a close game by outscoring Kingsley-Pierson 22-13 in the third quarter in an 81-56 victory. With the victory the Bulldogs improve to 25-0. Manning coach Keith Wagner says they beat a good team and he’s happy to be moving on. Wagner’s team outscored Kingsley-Pierson 56-14 in the paint. Kingsley-Pierson coach Darwin DeVries says they physically wore out in the second half, but never quit trying.