In a gritty, defensive GCL showdown, St. Xavier emerged victorious over long-time rival Moeller with a 32-25 win. The game was a tale of strong defense and timely offense, as St. Xavier outlasted their opponents in a game that was never fully in doubt after the first quarter.

The victory was a collective effort from St. Xavier, but senior Jacob Wassler played a pivotal role in the win, leading the team with 12 points and 7 rebounds. Wassler's versatility was on full display as he was a constant presence in the paint and a key rebounder in a game where every possession mattered.

Brendan Deeley also provided a steady hand for St. Xavier, scoring 7 points. Despite the team's struggles from beyond the arc, where they failed to connect on any of their five 3-point attempts, St. Xavier managed to control the game with its interior defense and ability to capitalize on Moeller's offensive lapses.

After taking an early 8-4 lead in the first quarter, St. Xavier kept Moeller at bay, expanding their lead to 13-11 by halftime. In the second half, despite Moeller's best efforts, including a couple of timely 3-pointers, St. Xavier's defense shut down Moeller's offense, forcing them into contested shots and limiting their opportunities to score.

The third quarter saw Moeller's offense continue to struggle, as they hit just 2 of 7 attempts from the field. Meanwhile, St. Xavier remained steady, pushing their lead to 19-17 going into the final frame. Moeller fought hard in the fourth quarter, but St. Xavier answered every challenge. They stretched their lead to as many as 10 points in the final minutes, sealing the game with clutch free throws and stifling defense.

Moeller simply couldn't find a rhythm, shooting a dismal 29% from the field and only managing to score 25 points overall. Their offensive struggles were compounded by their inability to hit 3-pointers, finishing just 3-for-15 from deep.

For St. Xavier, the victory was as much about defense as it was about scoring. They held Moeller to just 9 field goals and controlled the boards, finishing with 30 rebounds, including 7 offensive rebounds. The team's strong defensive rotations and communication made it difficult for Moeller to generate any sustained offensive flow.

With the win, St. Xavier improves to 12-3 on the season and 2-0 in league play, sending a strong message to their competition. 

Saturday, January 18th AT Springfield High School: 

The success continued for the team the next day as they traveled up to Springfield High School. The Bombers walked away with a 44-36 victory over the Wildcats. 

St. Xavier came out strong in the opening quarter, quickly establishing a 13-7 lead behind an impressive 50% shooting performance from the field. Senior forward Jacob Wassler was a constant presence, scoring early and often. His 13 points and 9 rebounds were critical in maintaining control of the game, with Wassler showing his versatility both inside and from long range, knocking down 3 of 5 three-pointers.

Despite a slow start, Springfield refused to back down, keeping things tight through the second quarter. St. Xavier's offense went cold for a stretch, but their defense remained steady, limiting Springfield to just 14 first-half points. At the break, St. Xavier held a comfortable 23-14 advantage, thanks in part to a clutch bench performance from Connor Bareswilt, who added 11 points in just 17 minutes.

Coming out of halftime, St. Xavier's offense caught fire. They knocked down 5 of 6 shots in the third quarter, including 3 consecutive three-pointers, while extending their lead to 36-28. Donovan Waleskowski, who finished with 8 points, hit two of those three-pointers, providing a timely spark when Springfield looked to mount a comeback.

As Springfield pressed in the final quarter, St. Xavier continued to lock down defensively, preventing the hosts from closing the gap. The Bombers were also perfect from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter, hitting 6 of 6 attempts, which helped to stave off Springfield's late push. With clutch plays on both ends of the floor, St. Xavier held on for a hard-fought 44-36 win.

The game was marked by St. Xavier's defensive prowess. They forced Springfield into tough shots, holding them to just 32.4% shooting from the field and 21.4% from beyond the arc. St. Xavier's ability to protect the paint and limit Springfield's second-chance opportunities played a major role in the outcome.

Up next: 
The Bombers host another GCL triple-header vs. Elder this Friday, January 24th. 
Freshman: 4:30pm 
JV: 6:00pm 
Varsity: 7:30pm
Location: Berning Gym
Tickets: https://stxsports.net/sports/2020/2/25/tickets.aspx
ESPX Live-stream: https://stxsports.net/coverage

#GoBombers #AMDG