Logan Golle’s buzzer-beater lifts Allderdice past Fox Chapel in PPG Paints Arena thriller

By: Nathan Breisinger
Wednesday, December 27, 2023 | 9:54 PM

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Less than two seconds hung on the scoreboard as Allderdice set up for an inbounds play and one final heave.

Not only did the Dragons get the pass to their streaking star, but Logan Golle rose up to hit a deep prayer that rattled around the rim and left the fans at PPG Paints Arena holding their breath. As the buzzer rang, the ball fell through the hoop and a joyous Allderdice contingent celebrated victory over Fox Chapel, 51-48, in the Pittsburgh Holiday Hoops Classic.

“I was more surprised that I was open on it than the fact that it went in,” Golle said. “I didn’t think the play would work out because they had a lot of guys up by the 3-point line, buy Pavle (Slepcev) set me a great screen. I caught it, saw that I was open and let it fly.”

After a miss by Fox Chapel, Allderdice coach Devin Crummie called a timeout with 1.2 seconds remaining and drew up a play that worked to perfection.

“It’s a play called X, and we probably won’t be able to use it again,” Crummie said. “It’s a Brad Stevens play from when he was with the (Boston) Celtics. It’s meant to get your point guard down hill, and if he can catch and shoot, great. If not, we have shooters in the corner.”

Logan Golle with the prayer as time runs out.

Allderdice wins 51-48 at the buzzer over Fox Chapel.

Golle finishes with 17 pts.@TribLiveHSSN @BoysDice pic.twitter.com/lNXzEKNnV7

— Nathan Breisinger (@NateBreisinger) December 28, 2023

Allderdice (5-1) clawed from behind for a majority of the game.

“Fox Chapel was well prepared and basically led wire-to-wire. We knew it would be a struggle when we went down early to them,” Crummie said. “For Logan to have the courage to take it, and he ran the play the way we diagrammed it, except he shot it a little bit deeper than I would’ve liked.”

For the Foxes, they took advantage of a flurry of misses by Allderdice to help maintain their lead until the Dragons finally came away with the last points.

“I thought we battled the whole game against a very good team, and it came down to the last shot,” Fox Chapel coach Zachary Skrinjar said.

In a tightly contested first quarter, Fox Chapel trailed for nearly all eight minutes until Asher White received a pass in the corner and made a 3-pointer to make it 9-7. White paced the Foxes with 15 points, including three 3-pointers.

“I thought (White) played a very well-rounded game,” Skrinjar said. “He did a really good job rebounding the ball and shooting in the first half.”

Leading Allderdice on the season with 19.8 points per game, Golle was all over the hardwood, coming up with a crucial inbounds steal in the fourth quarter, pouring in a game-high 17 points.

“When Logan got four fouls, I got really worried because he’s one of our best defensive players,” Crummie said. “He made that steal, and he kind of saved the day because I don’t know if we win the game (without him).”

The Allderdice offense quieted down in the second quarter, and the Foxes took advantage as White let a Dragons defender blow past him on the pump fake and then finished with a 3-pointer to put the Foxes up 14-11.

Late free throws from Allderdice set the Fox Chapel lead at 23-19 at the half.

As the Dragons looked for a surge to begin the second half, Golle was again in the middle of it as he tied the score at 25 with a beautiful step-through finish.

Fox Chapel leaped back into the driver’s seat with a pair of 3-pointers from White and Thomas Patterson.

With the Foxes holding a narrow lead, Golle continued his solid performance as he hit a 3-pointer to begin the final quarter. He snuffed out an inbounds pass and fed it to Major Rainey, who finished with the floater. Rainey ended the night with 12 points.

“Major opens up the floor so much,” Golle said. “Him being able to post up leaves me and other guys open for threes.”

The buzzer-beating finish for the Dragons capped an exciting day for the defending City League champs.

“We were so excited they included us,” Crummie said. “They were insightful to have a game in the city and include a team in the city. We might not be as great as those old City League teams, those Schenleys or Fifth Avenues, but we are from the city and take pride in that.”

Skrinjar also was thankful to have the opportunity for Fox Chapel to be represented in the holiday tournament.

“It was an incredible experience,” Skrinjar said. “It was an honor to be able to be a part of the first time.”

Will Siegel ended the contest with 11 points for the Foxes.

Tags: Allderdice, Fox Chapel