Fantini’s Three-Point Play Lifts Maroons Over Frenchtown

Butte Central’s boys basketball team outlasted Frenchtown 74-71 on Tuesday night at the Maroon Activities Center, winning it on a last-second three-point play from junior guard GG Fantini. The victory pushes the Maroons to 7-1 on the season and 2-0 in Southwestern A play.

Dramatic finish at the MAC

With the game tied at 71-71 in the final second, Fantini took an inbounds pass on the block, banked in a tough shot through contact, and sank the free throw to put Butte Central up three with 0.7 seconds left. His heroics came right after Frenchtown’s Hank Smith drilled a corner three to pull the Broncs even and briefly quiet the home crowd. Frenchtown’s last desperation heave after Fantini’s free throw was off the mark, sealing a wild win for the Maroons.

Sutton’s scoring outburst

Junior guard Joshua Sutton powered the Maroons with a game-high 30 points, continuing his rise as one of the top scorers in the state. Eleven of those came in the fourth quarter as Sutton hit contested pull-ups and got to the rim to steady Central while Frenchtown made its late run. Junior guard Jaxon Hiatt added 16 points, including a baseline jumper at the first-quarter horn that pushed BC to a 19-13 lead and set the tone early.

Back-and-forth battle

The game swung back and forth all night. Butte Central led 19-13 after one quarter before Frenchtown closed the half with a pair of transition layups to take a 33-30 edge into the locker room. Sutton beat the third-quarter buzzer with a jumper to give the Maroons a 48-46 lead, setting up a frantic final eight minutes that saw BC build a 67-59 cushion before the Broncs stormed back to tie it at 71.

Broncs get hot from deep

Frenchtown nearly stole it behind a barrage from the three-point line in the fourth. Smith caught fire late, knocking down multiple threes and finishing with a team-high night, while Henry Griffin and Cooper Michaud also connected from long range. Trevor Smith chipped in 13 points as the Broncs fought back from multiple deficits to give themselves a chance in the closing seconds.

Early-season statement

The win adds another marquee victory to a hot start for a Butte Central group intent on contending in the Southwestern A race. At 7-1 overall and 2-0 in conference, the Maroons move into a key stretch of January games with momentum and confidence. They now turn their attention to a tough road test at Hamilton on Saturday as league play continues to heat up.