Second half push propels Florien to Class B state title

HAMMOND, La. (AP) — Trailing 23-21 at the half, Florien outscored Anacoco 32-15 in the second half to defeat the Indians 53-38 in the 2017 Louisiana High School Athletic Association Class B State Championship Friday at Southeastern Louisiana University.

Junior Aja Law led the way for the Blackcats (38-2) with a game-high 20 points and 17 rebounds. Eighth-grader Kylee Strother finished with nine points.

The championship for Florien is its first state title since 1994, when it won its final of four consecutive crowns.

Relying on a full court pressure defense that forced 12 turnovers, Florien scored the first 17 points of the second half to take a 38-23 advantage with 3:12 to go in the third quarter. The Blackcats shot 61.5 percent from the field in the third quarter.

Whitney Goins was the leading scorer for Anacoco (26-8) with 18 points and seven rebounds. Cammy Hooks finished with 12 points and six rebounds.