For the first time in over 30 years, the Johnsonville Flashes will be heading to the lower state championship as they defeated the Latta Vikings 63-53 on Tuesday night.
The Vikings took a two-point lead in the first quarter, heading into the second at 10-8. Both teams scored high in the second, with Johnsonville adding 23 points to Latta’s 20, giving them a one-point lead at the half at 31-30. The Flashes returned to the court in the third to build on the lead as they outscored Latta 18-14, and they sealed the win with a 14-9 fourth quarter.
The Vikings, who entered the tournament as the fourth seed from Region 8A, finish the season 11-13 while top seeded Johnsonville is now 20-5 as they head for their first lower state championship game since 1981. It was the third time the two teams clashed this season, with Johnsonville winning each encounter.
Ty’Sean Burgess led Latta with a team-high 13 points, with Donell Stanley earning 11 and Rajit McFadden adding nine. R.J. McClam scored seven points for the Vikings, with D.J. Legette earning five and Charles McGill and Darius Jones each adding four.
Johnsonville was led by Erion Black with 13 points, followed by Aaron Mack with 11, Chris Hicks with 10, and Tately Anderson with eight. Shawn Lawrence added six points, Cordea Wilson and Arkelious Williams each added four, Robert Black and Antron Davis both scored three, and Tushai Edwards contributed one point in the win.
Johnsonville coach Harris Avant said the Flashes kept their composure and were able to score some crucial foul shots and run time off the clock in the second half.
Johnsonville will play Burke in the Class A Lower State Championship on Saturday at the Florence Civic Center at 12:30 p.m.
Burke defeated Allendale-Fairfax 65-52 on Tuesday to earn their shot at the lower state title.
In the Upper State bracket, Landrum defeated McCormick 86-78 and Great Falls edged Calhoun County 73-71 to move on to the Upper State championship game at the Bi-Lo Center on Saturday.
The State Championship game will be held on Saturday, March 3, at 1:00 p.m. at the Colonial Center.
