Class 1A: Salt Fork wins championship

Learnard, Fathauer, Keenan and Ryan Anderson, who had 17 points in Friday's semifinal victory over Lanark Eastland, will return to Salt Fork (33-1) for a run at their third state championship. The group won the eighth-grade state title together in 2007.

"This time the whole community was behind us," said Learnard, a 6-foot-6 forward. "It is awesome to see all the black shirts up there rooting for us. It is amazing for all of our hard work to be rewarded like this."

Sesser-Valier (26-10) trailed by eight at halftime and 10 after three quarters, but the Red Devils did not go down quietly. Kendall Gibson (15 points) hit a pair of jumpers and Dane Eubanks followed with a layup that cut Salt Fork's lead to 36-31 with 6 minutes, 21 seconds remaining.

Learnard, who does most of his damage down low, hit a 3-pointer that ignited a 12-2 run and put the game away.

"He made it all the way to the sectionals in the 3-point shooting contest," Salt Fork coach Aaron Hird said. "He can shoot the ball, but he needs to be more of a low-post player for us. These guys really understand and accept their roles. I think a lot of that had to do with them liking and respecting each other so much. They are willing to swallow their pride and sacrifice for the team."