MACON -- Richard LeCounte proved he has legitimate basketball skills, too.

The junior scored 20 points and was the emotional leader on the floor as Liberty County knocked off two-time defending champion Jonesboro 58-52 to win the Class AAAA boys championship Thursday night at the Macon Coliseum.

LeCounte set the tone with a 14-point first half, which saw him bounce around and encourage Panthers fans to react. He knocked down a pair of free throws with 25.5 seconds that iced the victory. He also had nine rebounds and two assists.

Earlier this week he was offered an opportunity to play basketball at Georgia — he made a commitment in December to play football for the Bulldogs — and may try to compete in football and basketball when he gets to college.

It marked the first state championship for Liberty County and the end to Jonesboro’s attempt to win three in a row.

“I think we worked hard and deserved this championship,” LeCounte said. “This is a legacy to build on. Everybody who is around us is really rooting us on, all the former players, we finally got over the hump. We did what we needed to do. We played like we were supposed.”

The difference in the second half was the production from guard Davion Mitchell, an Auburn basketball signee, and guard Will Richardson.

Mitchell, who failed to score in the first two quarters, scored 14 points and drained a 3-pointer with 5:19 left in the third quarter that gave Liberty County an 11-point lead.

Richardson scored 19 points and was 6-for-6 from the line. Forward Jaalon Frazier had a game-high 15 rebounds, seven of them on offense. No. 4 Liberty County finished the season 28-1.

No. 1-ranked Jonesboro (28-5) got 22 points and five rebounds from James Walker Jr., along with 10 points and six rebounds from Jamari Smith. Zerrick Cooper added 10 rebounds and scored eight points.

The game was played with an edge from the opening whistle, with officials allowing both teams to play tough, hard-nosed defense. It showed on the score: Liberty County led 14-10 after one quarter and 26-22 at halftime, with Jonesboro shooting 35 percent and Liberty shooting 37 percent.

Jonesboro was never able to catch up in the second half. The Cardinals trailed by 11 at one point, but played like champions in the fourth period and trimmed the margin to 50-48 with 1:48 left. But Liberty County outscored the Cardinals 8-4 from that point to secure the win.

“We never back down,” LeCounte said. “We’re never intimidated by any team. We could never stop. If they keep coming at us, we’ve got to continue going back. We’re just small-town country guys. You think they’re going to come in and outrun us and outplay us? There’s no fear in our hearts. They’re a great team, but I enjoyed it.”

Liberty County (58): Davion Mitchell 14, Jaalon Frazier 4, Will Richardson 19, Richard LeCounte 20, Jishaun Harris 1, Tyriq Reece, Martial Washington.

Jonesboro (52): Tariq Jenkins 7, Jamari Smith 10, Eric Lovett 3, Kenneth Qualls 2, James Walker Jr. 22, Zerrick Cooper 8, Eric Woodard, Jamari Mosley, Myles Black.