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Great Crossing basketball survives Bowling Green's epic rally, wins first Sweet 16 title

LEXINGTON — From fledgling program to state champion in six years, Great Crossing’s journey to the top of Kentucky high school basketball is complete.

And a 6-foot-11 mountain of a man named Malachi Moreno led the way.

Moreno — McDonald’s All-American, Kentucky Mr. Basketball and University of Kentucky signee — posted 23 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks to lead the Warhawks to a 71-61 victory over Bowling Green in Saturday’s championship game of the UK HealthCare Sweet 16 in front of 12,222 fans at Rupp Arena.

Great Crossing (35-4) picked up its first state championship and closed the season with a 27-game winning streak, winning their four Sweet 16 games by an average margin of 19 points.