District Championship: Cardinal Gibbons - NSU University School

The Sharks edged Cardinal Gibbons 54–52 on Saturday to capture the district championship in a tightly contested battle. Both teams will move on to the regional round, with Cardinal Gibbons still likely to earn the No. 1 seed in 3A–Region 4. Here's a look at some of the standout performers from a game loaded with college prospects.    The junior from Lithuania is a skilled, playmaking wing who delivered a big second half to help propel the Sharks to the win on Saturday. Zilinskas finished with 14 points and showed his value as a secondary ball handler who can create offense for himself and others. He plays with a high basketball IQ and stretches the floor by knocking down open shots from beyond the arc.     Jones, the Sharks' leading scorer this season, is a wing with good positional size and a proven ability to score at all three levels. He plays aggressively on the offensive end and consistently finds ways to get downhill and finish at the rim. Jones impacts the game in multiple ways and has the ability to fill the stat sheet. His versatility and scoring instincts make him a constant offensive threat.     The talented sophomore scored 10 points and continued his strong season with another impactful performance. Rhodes is a high-level athlete who brings energy and activity on both ends of the floor. He is a legitimate perimeter shooting threat and competes hard defensively, using his athleticism to make plays. His motor and two-way potential make him an exciting prospect to track moving forward.     The junior is a frontcourt force for the Sharks and is able to impact the game in multiple ways. Mustapha can score effectively on the block, has the touch to make midrange jumpers, and is athletic enough to finish above the rim. He is very active on the glass and rebounds his area at a high level. Mustapha can also push the ball after rebounds, giving his team an added transition threat.     One of the state's top unsigned seniors turned in another impressive performance in the district title game, finishing with 15 points. His perimeter skill set continues to improve with each evaluation, showing increased confidence and versatility on the offensive end. The combination of size, strength, and athleticism makes him a unique and intriguing prospect. He continues to trend upward as a player who can impact the game in multiple ways at the next level.     Ambrose will likely take on a much larger role next season, and the sophomore continues to show steady improvement as the year progresses. He knocked down three shots from beyond the arc on his way to 11 points Saturday, highlighting his confidence and perimeter shooting ability. Ambrose plays with a good feel for the game, shows impressive ball skills, and makes sound decisions with the basketball. His development and shot-making give him plenty of upside moving forward.

The Sharks edged Cardinal Gibbons 54–52 on Saturday to capture the district championship in a tightly contested battle. Both teams will move on to the regional round, with Cardinal Gibbons still likely to earn the No. 1 seed in 3A–Region 4. Here's a look at some of the standout performers from a game loaded with college prospects.