BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — A sustained effort not to settle for three-pointers from the start of the third quarter through their final possession, propelled Liverpool High School Sunday afternoon in Binghamton to the NYSPHSAA Class AA state basketball championship over Half Hallow Hills East.

Senior Nas Johnson sparked a second-half comeback, scoring all 13 of his points in the second half after he was forced to sit for a vast majority of the first half with two fouls.

The biggest shot for Liverpool came with under 20 seconds left when senior Charles Pride drove to the middle and stopped about 13 feet out, knocking down a shot to put Liverpool up by four. Two free throws from Johnson iced it for the Warriors, who picked up the 71-65 win.

Now at 26-0, Liverpool will move on to the Federation Playoffs to face South Shore in the semifinals.

Liverpool went down by 12 early, but hung with Hills East [Section XI] thanks to four early three-pointers from Noah Issakainen. He finished with 17 points.