LAKE CHARLES — French Settlement waited 57 years for a chance to play for a state championship, but it will have to wait for another year after a 57-52 loss to Winnfield in the Division III nonselect semifinals on Wednesday at Burton Coliseum.
Maxwell Allison hit two free throws to get the Lions within 55-52 with 51 seconds left.
The No. 2 Lions (29-5) had a chance to tie it with 10 seconds left, but Winnfield’s Jaylon Jackson stole the ball and scored to seal the win for the No. 3 Tigers.
It was the Lions’ first trip to the state tournament since winning the Class C state championship in 1966.
“I couldn’t be more proud of this team,” French Settlement coach Jake Bourgeois said. “Our goal at the beginning of the year was to make it to state, win 25 games and win a parish championship.
“We achieved most of our goals. This boys basketball team hasn’t been to state since 1966. It is something these guys will remember for the rest of their lives. I am proud I could be that coach and guide them on the journey to get here.”
Draven Smith led the Lions with 20 points and eight rebounds, and Maxwell Allison added 20 points.
Winnfield (26-4) moves on to the final for the first time in program history and will face No. 1 and three-time reigning state champ Port Allen at 4 p.m. Saturday.
The game was a defensive battle early on as French Settlement took a 6-4 lead into the second quarter.
“I thought that Winnfield came out and did a great job on defense,” Bourgeois said. “They did a really good job putting pressure on the full length of the floor and getting us out of our offensive sets that we like to run.
“They were tough on us, and they are a heck of a team.”
French Settlement took its largest lead of the first half at 13-9 on a pair of free throws by Allison with 4:56 left in the second quarter and led 24-22 at the break.
French Settlement took its final lead with 2:47 left in the third quarter, 34-33, on a free throw by Boston Balfantz.
Winnfield stretched its lead to 47-38 on a 3-pointer by Jackson with 4:10 left in the game.
Jackson led Winnfield with 20 points.
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