Butler Upsets CV on Last-Second Shot

WEXFORD – lost on a heart-breaking last-second jump shot in a huge upset by Butler in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs.

Butler’s Luke Hartung nailed a 3-pointer with just 1.8 seconds left to lift the Golden Tornado over the No. 2 Colts in a stunning 56-54 finish at North Allegheny High School.

Chartiers Valley’s Wayne Capers dueled Butler’s Nathaniel Snodgrass for the entire game with both players combining to score more than half of the game’s total points. Snodgrass led all players with 33 points while Capers finished the game with 27.

Capers lifted his team after a sluggish start in the first quarter and pushed them to a 44-36 lead heading into the final quarter. But Snodgrass turned it on and scored a dozen points in the final period.

Still, the Colts had control of the game and could not hit key foul shots after a Butler turnover looked to seal the game for Chartiers Valley.

With 36.5 second left, Butler was poised to tie the game, but they lost control of the ball and it bounced back over half court. The Golden Tornado immediately fouled Jerrad Tuite, who had 16 points, on the inbound pass. He made only one foul shot and Snodgrass made them pay with a 3-pointer that brought Butler within 1.

Christian Kuntz was then fouled with 18.3 seconds left, but he missed the first free throw and Butler recovered the rebound. After a lengthy time out, Snodgrass dribbled down court and passed to Hartung, who drilled the game-winning 3-pointer with 1.8 seconds left.

A full-court inbound pass to Capers was knocked away, although the senior was pushed to the ground while trying to receive the pass and raised his arms in the air looking for a foul.

The Colts finished the season with a record of 20-3.

Chartiers Valley Colts  – 10-17-17-10

Butler Golden Tornado – 12-8-16-20

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