MINERSVILLE - The playoffs are “win or go home” for a reason.

Nativity kept its season alive Tuesday night with a thrilling 52-51 victory over Weatherly in the District 11 Class A boys basketball consolation game at the Thomas Fitzpatrick Gymnasium in Minersville.

The contest came down to the wire, with Hilltopper senior Noah Dolbin making the game-winning free throw with just four seconds remaining to give Nativity the win.

The victory advances Nativity to a PIAA play-in game Saturday against either Ferndale or Williamsburg at a District 6 site to be announced. The loss ended Weatherly’s season at 14-12.

“This could be my last shot ever on a basketball court,” Dolbin said about his final foul shot. “It was a huge moment to score that final point.”

Weatherly opened the game with aggressiveness and energy, not backing down to the challenge of Nativity. Dominick Kokinda scored the first points, and the Wreckers jumped out to an early 4-0 lead.

The Hilltoppers quickly bounced back, outscoring Weatherly 15-6 the rest of the quarter. Trey Keating scored nine of his game-high 20 points in the first frame, including two 3-pointers.

Nativity extended and held its lead throughout the second quarter. Sam Walborn scored six points, while Dolbin and Keating each pitched in a bucket as well.

Weatherly guard Ian McKeegan, despite his smaller frame, had no trouble getting into the paint and finishing around the rim to keep his team alive. At the three-minute mark, McKeegan completed a three-point play, and later hit a runner in the lane to cut the deficit to nine. The Hilltoppers led 30-21 at the half.

Weatherly outscored Nativity in the third quarter, 9-7. Both teams went 3-for-4 from the foul line, as well as exchanging buckets in the paint. The Wreckers trailed by as much as 15, but cut the Hilltoppers lead to seven heading into the fourth.

The Wreckers started the fourth quarter with a 10-2 run. Corbin Wagner heated up, scoring 10 of his team-high 18 points as Weatherly took the lead.

In an action-packed eight minutes, there were three lead changes and three ties, as well as 36 total points scored.

Despite the heroic efforts of the Wreckers’ McKeegan and Wagner, it came down to the dynamic duo of Dolbin and Keating to win the game for Nativity. Keating showed off his ability to score from long range, making a deep three followed by a contested 3-pointer down the stretch.

With four seconds remaining and the score knotted at 51-51, Dolbin was fouled on an inbounds play, sending him to the line. Dolbin missed the first, but converted on the second, giving the Hilltoppers the win.

“It was a well-fought game, and I couldn’t be happier with the progress our team has made this season,” said Wrecker head coach Luke Medico.

“(This game) proved our potential as a team and also gave us a tremendous opportunity by shining a light on everywhere we need to improve to become a great team.”

McKeegan finished with 11 points for Weatherly. Walborn led Nativity with 10.

“A lot of our guys are young and haven’t been in an atmosphere like this before,” Keating said after the game. “We just had to stay calm and get it done in the end.

“Our seniors knowing that the next loss means it’s all over really gave them that boost, especially in the fourth quarter. It’s survive and advance now.”

LEARNING EXPERIENCE ... Despite the loss, Medico and his team will learn from the experience. “Although it was a heartbreaking one-point loss, it is not a failure, it is a learning opportunity, and I know the guys are ready to work and grow to achieve the best versions of themselves as young basketball players. This journey has become bigger than basketball as it has brought the entire community together. I’m honored to be a part of the growth on and off the court.”

WEATHERLY

Adler 2-0-0-5, Kokinda 2-2-4-7, McKeegan 5-1-1-11, Saldukas 3-0-0-7, Donish 1-1-2-3, Wagner 6-2-6-18, Stauffer 0-0-0-0. TOTALS: 19-6-13-51.

NATIVITY

Walborn 4-1-3-10, Dolbin 3-3-6-9, Bowman 3-0-0-6, Pasker 2-1-6-5, Clarke 1-0-0-2, Keating 7-3-4-20, Kreitzer 0-0-0-0, Lutzkanin 0-0-0-0. TOTALS: 20-8-19-52.

Weatherly 10 11 9 21 - 51

Nativity 19 11 7 15 - 52

Three-pointers: Weatherly - Wagner 4, Adler 1, Kokinda 1, Saldukas 1. Nativity - Keating 3, Walborn 1.

Records: Weatherly (14-12); Nativity (15-10)