Natchitoches Central falls to Zachary in Class 5A title game

LAKE CHARLES — Natchitoches Central put up a great fight in the fourth quarter, but it was not enough.

The Chiefs lost 63-57 to Zachary in the Class 5A championship game Saturday at Burton Coliseum.

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Chiefs senior Darius Young had 16 points and seven rebounds, and Sean Lacour had 15 points and three assists.

At halftime, NCHS (23-2) trailed 31-22, and it would fall behind by as much as 15 in the third quarter. However, a 9-1 run pulled it within four with 2:31 left, but Zachary regrouped for the win.

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Broncos sophomore Brandon Rodgers-Hardy won named Most Outstanding Player, with 22 points, seven rebounds, four steals and two blocks to give Zachary its first title in program history.

Zachary (26-6) shot 54% from the field.

NCHS was making its first Class 5A championship game appearance since making three straight from 2014-2016 — winning twice in 2014 and 2016.