Beyond the games, the trip was a time for bonding, growth, and team-building. Whether it was sharing laughs over meals, navigating new environments together, or supporting each other through tough moments on the court, these shared experiences brought the team closer. The competition was fierce, with the Bombers going head-to-head against some of the nation's best, but it was the camaraderie and unity they developed off the court that made the weekend truly special. 

Despite a long day of travel, which included a 2.5-hour flight delay due to fog, the St. Xavier basketball team remained focused and ready for the challenges ahead. The Bombers cruised to a dominant 69-41 victory over Regis High School, improving to 8-0 on the season.

St. Xavier took control early, building a 34-14 halftime lead behind strong shooting, particularly from Donovan Waleskowski (26 points), who led the team offensively. The Bombers also capitalized on Regis' struggles, forcing turnovers and scoring 20 points off turnovers.

St. Xavier's offense was balanced, with Brendan Deeley adding 6 points and Brayden Reilly contributing 6 points and 4 assists. In the second half, the Bombers maintained their lead, closing the game with a 28-point advantage.

Despite Regis' best efforts, St. Xavier's defense and scoring depth were too much, as they cruised to a 69-41 win.

Semi-Final Game: St. Xavier Bombers 49, Loyola Blakefield (MD) 37
On the second day of tournament play, the St. Xavier Bombers improved to 9-0 with a hard-fought 49-37 victory over Maryland's Loyola Blakefield. 

The game was a defensive battle, with both teams struggling to find offensive rhythm early on. After trailing 12-11 at the end of the first quarter, St. Xavier locked down defensively, holding Loyola to just 4 points in the second quarter and taking a 19-16 lead into halftime.

The Bombers' offense picked up in the second half, particularly in the fourth quarter, where they outscored Loyola 22-14. A key factor in St. Xavier's success was the strong play of Jacob Wassler (14 points, 14 rebounds) and Brendan Deeley (11 points), who led the team offensively and helped control the boards.

Despite struggling with outside shooting (2-17 from three), St. Xavier dominated inside, scoring 32 points in the paint and securing a 49-37 win. Their defense, combined with clutch free throws down the stretch (7-10 in the fourth), sealed the victory and handed Loyola Blakefield their 4th loss of the season.

St. Xavier's resilience and defensive intensity were the keys to victory, and the Bombers remain undefeated heading into the tournament championship.

Championship Game: St. Xavier Bombers 40, Rockhurt (MO) 56

The championship game proved to be a challenge for the St. Xavier Bombers as they fought hard, but ultimately fell short to Rockhurst (MO) with a final score of 40-56.

The game began with Rockhurst taking an early lead, shooting 61.5% in the first quarter and holding a 37-18 advantage at halftime. Despite shooting struggles, including just 1 of 5 from beyond the arc in the first half, St. Xavier stayed tough defensively, holding Rockhurst to only 6 points in the third quarter.

Donovan Waleskowski led the way with 14 points, and Jacob Wassler contributed 8 points and 7 rebounds. The Bombers cut the lead to 43-30 heading into the final frame, but Rockhurst pulled away in the fourth, despite St. Xavier's effort to fight back.

While their shooting was off (just 34.8% from the field and 17.4% from three), the Bombers' defense and resilience in the second half showed their potential. With strong individual performances and a determined team effort, St. Xavier demonstrated they can compete with top-tier opponents as they look to build on this experience moving forward.