The #7 Xavier Gators lost 49-64 on the home court of the #2 Gilbert Tigers in last night's 6A State Quarterfinal, ending their 2025-26 season. The Gators maintained focus and a fighting spirit until the final buzzer, battling hard for rebounds, steals, fast breaks, etc. But Gilbert matched Xavier's intensity and maintained a higher shooting percentage throughout the game.

The Gators did jump out to an 8-3 advantage early in the game, but they couldn't hold back the avalanche of Tiger scoring as Gilbert soon overtook Xavier, holding a six-point lead by the end of the first quarter, 18-12.

Gilbert possessed a seventeen-point advantage at half-time and an eighteen-point lead going into the fourth quarter.

Xavier's unforced errors along with a very active Gilbert defense combined to produced twenty Gator turnovers in the game. However, to their credit, Xavier fought hard until the final second ticked off the score clock.

Sade Charles played an outstanding game as she scored 10 points (tied for second on team), 3 assists (team leader), and 4 steals (tied for team best). She participated in at least two highly-contested, loose-ball battles on the floor: one involving herself and a Gilbert player, and the other involving four players. Both times she took possession of the ball, and both times she got off a pass to a teammate. The first time, she passed the ball from a sitting position; the other time, she threw the ball essentially while lying on her back. She dominates the highlight video below, and several of her highlights compelled me to provide second looks using slow-motion.

Myriah James came through with an impressive, always-hustling performance. She produced a team-high 12 points, going 8 out of 10 at the free throw line, a tied-for-team-high 7 rebounds, and another-tied-for-team-high 4 steals. Hustle is spelled "rebounds and steals".

Sariah McNabb had 10 points (tied for second on team), 6 rebounds (team 3rd), and 3 steals (team 3rd): another game of her being all over the place, causing havoc for the other team.

Ellie McLaughlin had 9 points (team fourth), including the team's only 3-pointer, and 2 assists (team 2nd). She made all four free throw attempts.

Grace Cloud's defensive presence made her a key contributor to the game. She had 7 rebounds (tied for team high) and blocked 2 shots (the only Gator to block a shot).