The Tigers had a chance to win or force overtime. Off a timeout at mid-court with 11.7 seconds remaining, senior guard Anthony McBride drove down the lane and had his shot blocked. Center Yancy Gates grabbed the loose ball and was fouled on a stick-back attempt with 2.4 seconds left on the clock.

The 6-fot-8 senior, who had made 4-of-4 from the free throw line up to that point, missed both attempts and after a scramble for the rebound the ball went out of bounds as time expired sending the Bombers’ crowd into frenzy and the Withrow faithful into a deafening silence.

Senior guard Brad Loesing scored a team-high 14 points and played all 32 minutes for St. Xavier. Withrow senior guard Troy Long scored a game-high 18 points including 4-of-8 from 3-point range. Gates added 16 points including 10 in the final quarter and had 10 rebounds.
Last season the Bombers beat the Tigers 51-48 in the closing seconds of the regional final to keep the Tigers from playing in the state Final Four.

With the win St. Xavier advanced back to the Final Four for the second straight year and took on Cleveland St. Edward. After jumping out to a 35-25 halftime lead, the Eagles rallied in the second half and went on to defeat the Bombers 68-59.

Seniors Walt Gibler and Brad Loesing closed out their high school careers with solid performances. Gibler scored a team-high 24 points while Loesing added 17 points and four assists.