LAFAYETTE — For 311/2 minutes, Hamilton Christian did everything it needed to knock off top-seeded Southern Lab, but Kittens reserve Jonathan Butler broke the Warriors’ hearts, scoring the final six points in Lab’s 61-60 win in a Division IV semifinal Wednesday afternoon at the Cajundome.

Butler made a steal and converted it into a 3-point play with 31 seconds left to bring the Kittens within 59-58. After Hamilton made 1 of 2 free throws with 26 seconds left, the Kittens had three shot attempts, all misses. On the Kittens’ last shot, Butler drilled a 3-pointer from the corner with 3 seconds left to give Lab the lead.

Hamilton missed a heave from half court at the buzzer.

The final six points were the only ones Butler, a reserve, scored. He didn’t take any shots until the final minute.

“I knew I had to hit it,” Butler said. “That was a big shot, but I prepared all year for this. Coach (Harold Boudreaux) put us through many workouts, extra shooting after practice. This was my time to shine. It went through.”

Lab advanced to play the winner of the No. 2 Calvary Baptist-No. 3 Metairie Park Country Day semifinal.

Hamilton led by eight points with 1:32 left when it was called for its fourth technical foul. Lab guard Donovan Davis made one of two free throws, then a 3-pointer on the ensuing possession, to get the Kittens within four points.

Hamilton made 3 of 4 free-throw attempts on its next two possessions to extend the lead to seven, but another 3-pointer from Davis with 37 seconds left to set the stage for Butler’s heroics.

“We just held on and kept believing,” Boudreaux said. “You have to give credit to Hamilton Christian and (head coach Dexter Washington). His game plan was on point. But basketball is a game of runs so we just told our guys to hold on.”

The Kittens were in foul trouble throughout the game. Hamilton was in the bonus the entire fourth quarter and made 11 of 15 free-throw attempts in the final quarter.

The fourth-seeded Warriors turned the ball over three times in the final 2 minutes. Southern Lab scored on five of its final six possessions.

“It’s the joy of pain and agony of defeat,” Washington said. “We were on a high then it was taken away from us. We made some undisciplined plays down the stretch and it cost us a chance to play for the state championship.

“We can all go back and think about what we should have, would have, could have done, but I would not change a thing. Our kids played hard and with a lot of emotions.

“In the second half our defense did exactly what it needed to do. There were a couple of things that could have happened late, but it is what it is.”

Deion Ware led Hamilton with 19 points. Mason Russell scored 16 and Neiman Sullen added 13.

Davis led Lab with 23. Tyler Ringgold added 15.