The 2025 UK HealthCare Boys’ Sweet 16® tipped off with an electrifying opening-round clash on March 26, as the Jeffersontown Chargers outlasted the St. Xavier Tigers 64-59 in a game that came down to the wire. In a contest defined by clutch shooting, timely rebounds, and a dominant performance at the free-throw line, Jeffersontown pulled ahead in the final moments to secure the victory and advance in the tournament.
The game’s decisive stretch unfolded in the last eight minutes, with both teams trading blows in a back-and-forth affair. St. Xavier, trailing 44-42 with 7:12 remaining, saw Jeffersontown’s D. Harrison ignite the crowd with consecutive three-pointers, flipping the lead to the Chargers at 45-44. The Tigers responded with a three from J. Jackson at the 6:15 mark, regaining a 47-45 edge. However, Jeffersontown’s C. McDaniels answered with a three of his own, setting the tone for a tense finish.
With the score knotted at 52-52 after L. Westmoreland’s tip-in for Jeffersontown at 3:27, the Chargers seized control. P. Kahnplaye’s fast-break layup sparked a 6-0 run, pushing the lead to 56-52 with 2:02 left. St. Xavier fought back valiantly, clawing within two points at 56-54 on W. Hanke’s tip-in with 1:26 remaining. The Tigers’ hopes peaked when J. Cameron drained a game-tying three-pointer with 35 seconds left, leveling the score at 59-59.
But Jeffersontown’s C. McDaniels proved to be the difference-maker. With 22 seconds on the clock, McDaniels muscled in a tip-in to reclaim the lead at 61-59, then sank a free throw to extend it to three. St. Xavier’s final possession faltered, and McDaniels iced the game with two more free throws in the closing seconds, sealing the 64-59 triumph.
McDaniels led all scorers with a standout performance, contributing multiple key baskets and finishing 5-for-5 from the free-throw line in the final minute. His efforts underscored Jeffersontown’s edge in clutch situations, where they outscored St. Xavier 12-4 at the charity stripe overall. The Chargers also leaned on a balanced attack, with 38% of their points coming from beyond the arc (24 points) and 44% from two-point range (28 points).
St. Xavier showcased its own firepower, particularly in the paint, where they tallied 32 of their 59 points (54% of their total). The Tigers’ three-point shooting kept them in contention, with 21 points (36%) from long range, including critical makes by Cameron and Jackson. J. Cameron’s late-game heroics nearly forced overtime, while Jackson and C. Dillingham added timely scoring inside.
Statistically, the teams were closely matched. St. Xavier capitalized on second-chance opportunities (16 points) and dominated in the paint, while Jeffersontown turned forced turnovers into 13 points and relied on McDaniels’ late-game poise. Both squads managed just 2 points each on fast breaks, reflecting a game dictated by half-court execution.
The loss ends St. Xavier’s magical season, while Jeffersontown advances to face Bowling Green in the quarterfinals. For the Chargers, this victory highlights their resilience and ability to perform under pressure, qualities that could carry them deep into the tournament.
