Xavier Saturday District Finals 2026 Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cintas Center on the campus of the Xavier University hosted five playoff games on Saturday March 7th, in this article I'll break down my 2026 standouts from that action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1858272"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ad8aafb23d9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ward won the game for Huber Heights Wayne with a layup with under five seconds left to turn a one point deficit into a one point lead. Coming alive in the second half, Ward did a nice job making himself available against the zone and his teammates found him in positions to score. Credit to Ward who got better as the game went on and had some huge plays down the stretch to lift his team to victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3547589"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ad8aafb243f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A player I was unaware of before the game, Heisle made sure I knew who he was early in the game with three first half 3-pointers. Active in the Huber Heights Wayne zone defense, Heisle has a strong frame and also excelled on the gridiron for the Warriors. With 13 first half points, Heisle was the reason Huber Heights Wayne took a 1 point lead into the locker room and continued to bring good energy throughout the second half and overtime.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2890899"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ad8aafb2486"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lang was excellent all game in the open floor with some sweet passes to setup teammates for easy looks. Lang's best pass was a lefty no-look dime for a wide open layup that had the defense looking the wrong way. Knocking down a pair of 3-pointers on the wing vs the zone defense Huber Heights Wayne was running, Lang made crucial plays for his team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2856504"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ad8aafb24c7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another senior for Moeller who left it all on the court, Kelly had some huge plays that swung momentum in favor of the Crusaders. Kelly had a nice sweep and go move early in the game where he finished with his left hand at the rim. The most impressive play Kelly made was throwing down a dunk off a cut in the half court that cut right through the Wayne zone defense. Impressive career for Kelly who brought winning intangibles to the court every game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2878324"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ad8aafb2505"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the more physical teams in Ohio, Cincinnati St Xavier can wear down their opponents and that's exactly what the Bombers did on Saturday in a competitive district title win over a Cincinnati Fairfield group that wouldn't go away. Veith had some big boy rebounds in the paint and finished well at the rim, even through contact. St Xavier does the little things exceptionally like box out and be in the gaps help side defensively and that's why they are so tough to beat. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->