Is it really going to end like this?

Butler's boys baskeball team riding a 17-game winning streak, coming from behind to win three postseason games in overtime, rallying from a 14-point deficit in the first quarter and a 12-point deficit in the final seven minutes to win its last game?

And now, just like that, it's over?

Public health concern trumps all.

And rightfully so.

After this two-week hiatus the PIAA basketball tournament is on, the organization's officials plan to reassess the situation and decide whether to proceed with the tourney or pull the plug.

The latter would be a shame — necessary, perhaps, precautionary, to be sure, but definitely a shame.

The way the Golden Tornado's postseason has been going, it's like following chapters of an epic movie. You get sucked in, take in each step, wonder what's going to happen next and how it's going to end.

Now that ending might be the most bizarre conclusion to any high school sports season.

North Catholic is in the process of building an amazing story in its own right. Its boys and girls basketball teams are rolling toward the finals — if they're allowed to play again.

You feel for the seniors on all of these teams. You feel for the possible denial of Molly Rottmann coaching the North Catholic girls basketball team to a state title while watching her son, Hans, win one on the boys side.

In Butler's case, if the state tourney doesn't resume, Friday's win over Upper St. Clair is not a bad note to finish on.

For those who believed the Tornado's guard tandem of Ethan Morton and Devin Carney was all the team had, guess again. Those two entered the fourth quarter that night with a combined 13 points and the team still won.

Raine Gratzmiller had six assists and four rebounds off the bench. Chalie Kreinbucher had 11 points, 10 rebounds and three steals. Carney sank four critical free throws in the fourth quarter.

All of those guys are sophomores.

Morton scored 16 points in the fourth quarter, willing himself to the basket while playing on a tender ankle. His determination to do his part in getting that win — and his physical discomfort — were obvious.

If that was our final look at Ethan Morton in a Butler uniform, it was a fitting look.

Then there's Mattix Clement. He scored 26 points, grabbed seven rebounds, had four assists and a few steals. He was all over the court, offensively and defensively, driving to the hoop, diving on the floor.

I remember that kid as a freshman, coming in off the bench, perching himself beyond the arc and shooting 3-pointers. That was his specialized role.

He's since matured into a total baskeball player, one of the true heartbeats of that team.

Watching that maturation has been so much fun.

Hopefully, this tournament isn't over.

If it is, thanks for the ride.

It's been a memorable one.

John Enrietto is sports editor of the Butler Eagle