PETOSKEY — Iron Mountain will be returning to the MHSAA boys basketball state semifinals for the first time since 1994.

The Mountaineers, behind 25 points apiece from Marcus Johnson and Foster Wonders, turned back Sanford Meridian Early College 61-56 in a Division 3 quarterfinal Tuesday. The Mustangs (23-2) entered the quarterfinal allowing 36 points per game.

Iron Mountain (26-0) and defending state champion Detroit Edison Public School (19-7) will meet at 11 a.m. (Central time) Thursday in the semifinals at Michigan State University’s Breslin Center. The state finals are scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Saturday.

In the quarterfinals, IM built a 28-17 lead with more than three minutes to play in the second quarter. But the Mustangs reeled off the next 11 points for a 28-28 halftime deadlock. Johnson and Wonders scored all 28 of IM’s first-half points.

After falling behind 32-28 in the third quarter, IM went on a 12-2 run for a 40-34 lead. The Mountaineers wrapped up the third quarter with six straight points and a 48-38 cushion.

The Mustangs chipped away at the deficit, closing to 57-56 in the final seconds. The Mountaineers compounded their situation by missing back-to-back bonus free throw opportunities.

IM later found the mark when Wonders and Johnson each converted two free throws. A Johnson steal in the final seconds sealed the victory.

IM’s Charlie Gerhard added five points, scoring all five in the final two minutes when SMEC moved to within 52-49.

IM starters Johnson, Wonders, Gerhard, Jaden Vicenzi and Tony Feira played the entire 32 minutes. SMEC was held to three three-point field goals after hitting 14 in the regional finals.

Detroit Edison, which graduated four starters including three Division 1 players from last year’s Class C state championship team, defeated top-ranked Flint Beecher 76-69 in the quarterfinals Tuesday.

The 1994 Mountaineers fell to Orchard Lake St. Mary 56-53 in the state semifinals.

Iron Mountain 14 14 20 13 — 61

Sanford Meridian 13 15 10 18 — 56