Ernest Talford and Xavier Holmes scored 22 points apiece to pace Great Falls to a 79-61 win over Johnsonville in the 1A boys state basketball championship game at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia. Harris Avant's team was making its first appearance in a state championship game and fell behind 12 in the second quarter after a Talford hoop and foul. But the Flashes got a big second quarter outburst from Aaron Mack. Mack had 13 points in the quarter including a layup that beat the first half buzzer to cut the deficit to 6 at the half, 36-30.
But Great Falls controlled the second half, leading 55-43 at the end of three quarters and ultimately winning by 18. Mack led the Flashes with 18 points, while Cordea Wilson had 12 and Erion Black added 10.
SCORING
Great Falls (79):
Brandon Criscoe 12, Shaquille Simpson 10, Ernest Talford 22, Jemarcus Culp 13, Xavier Holmes, 22
Johnsonville (61):
Erion Black 10, Cordea Wilson 12, Chris Hicks 1, Aaron Mack 18, Tately Anderson 8, Tushai Edwards 2, Antron Davis 4, Akelious Williams 6
