Dobson High is the defending Division I state champion, but with nearly an entirely new roster this season repeating figures to be a tall order.

Its first-round playoff victory on Wednesday night, however, was not. With a good start and steady enough play the rest of the way, No. 15 Dobson posted a 52-37 victory over No. 18 Westview at Dobson High.

With the victory senior-less Dobson (15-13) moves on to the round of 16 on Friday (Feb, 19) to visit No. 2-seed Valley Vista, one of four prime contenders for this year's crown. Westview, which played for the D-I title just two years ago, finished its season 8-19.

Dobson coach Henry Bribiescas, who took over the reins for Tyler Dumas this season as Dumas stepped aside to go into administration, lauded the performance of a team with only one player with real playoff experience. Bribiescas isn't new to postseason having guided teams at Desert Vista and Mesa Mountain View to the playoffs and at least one playoff win or more almost without exception.

"We came out and scored 21 points in the first quarter and hadn't done that in awhile," Bribiescas said. "Only two players are back from last year's team and they didn't see much time in the playoffs. Shauna (Briebiescas) has played in postseason before, but that wasn't here. I'm happy we were able to get the lead and maintain it. We played them early in the year and had them down by 24 and we hung on to win by seven. Being able to maintain the lead was good progress."

Junior Shauna Bribiescas, the coach's daughter, scored seven of her 12 points in the opening quarter as Dobson opened up a 21-14 lead.  Junior Megan Lopez, who has started some and come off the bench other times for Dobson, led all scorers with 16 points and connected for eight of those in the first period. Dobson's good start was helped by three 3s in the first period in four attempts -- one each by Bribiescas, Lopez and Vicky Mitchell.

Scoring and accurate shooting slowed in the second period, but Dobson managed to extend its lead to 29-19 at the half. Westview could have been much closer in the opening half had it made a few more free throws. The Lady Knights made only 3 of 12 from the line in the half and 10 of 24 for the game.

Bribiescas and Cailee Benford sank threes in the third period as Dobson's lead  reached 43-23 at one point. Lopez was especially effective in transition with three baskets off fast-break chances. Her last one turned around a possession that could have brought Westview within 10 and instead propped the lead back up to 15.

Junior forward Kennedy Cuspard led Westview with nine points and Sierra Gallego and Tyone Singleton added seven points apiece. After shooting 50 percent from the field in the first quarter (6 of 12), Westview made only 7 of 37 shots the rest of the game.