Big Shot propels Trojans to the District Final

The last few years, the Trojans have come up short in making the District Title Game. In 2017, it was an overtime loss to Scranton Prep. 2018, it was a semifinal loss to Valley View on the same court as these Trojans played on this Saturday evening. Colby Butczynski would be sure to not make it a third straight year as he would sink a three pointer with 3.4 seconds to go as the Trojans would advance to the District 2 4A Title game.

The Tigers would build a 9-7 lead at the end of the first quarter. Tunkhannock would get a five point lead until Nanticoke would go on an 11-0 run as the Trojans would take a 24-20 lead into halftime. The Trojans would hold a six point lead but Tunkhannock would go on an 8-0 run for a 30-28 lead and would lead 36-34 after three quarters. The fourth quarter would be a back and forth affair. The Trojans would take a 44-41 lead with a three point play by Butczynski and a basket by Jake Krupinski. After an Avery Billings basket, the Trojans would stall the ball and the Tigers would foul until they hit the 1 and 1. The Trojans would miss the front end of the 1 and 1 and Jack Chilson would hit a bucket for a 45-44 lead. Nate Kreitzer would answer with a basket of his own with 52.8 seconds to go. After the timeout, Ryan Harder would give the Tigers the lead with a three pointer and a 48-46 lead with 20.6 with the Trojans calling a timeout. Butczynski would have his heroic moment as he would sink a three pointer with 3.4 to go. The Trojans would have to get through another Tigers possession however. The Trojans would commit their sixth team foul with 2.8 seconds to go. On the inbounds pass, the ball would go to Billings who would take the shot and it would fall short. Nate Kreitzer led all scorers with 15 points for Nanticoke. Jake Krupinski and Colby Butczynski each added 12 points for the Trojans. Ryan Harder, Avery Billings and Nick Reposa each had nine points for the Tigers. The Trojans will play Scranton Prep at the Mohegan Sun Arena next Saturday for the District 2 4A title at 4. The Tigers will play Western Wayne for the third spot in the state tournament. 

Thoughts on the game: It was an amazing atmosphere at Scandlon Gymnasium. A really interesting back and forth game with Nanticoke coming out on top. Nate Kreitzer had a great game with 15 points. Colby Butczynski also had a great game with the game-winning three pointer. For Tunkhannock, Avery Billings had a good game with nine points as did Ryan Harder also with nine points.