Will Saint Xavier continue to play second fiddle to Trinity in basketball, or are they ready to break out in the 2017-2018 season. The tigers always play with a lot of heart, and they are always well coached.

Tigers lost center Tyler Barnes and a couple other players but most of their roster returns, including several younger players who will benefit form being a year older. The offense will again be centered around Pierce Kiesler, who averaged 16 ppg last year. But as a team X averaged less than 60 points per game. Unless the offensive production improves, I don't know how much better the Tigers will be. And if the measuring stick is how they compare to Trinity, forget about it. Trinity appears poised to be one of the best teams in the state.

They will be a leading contender should Trinity slip up, but on paper they done't have enough to overtake them. Trinity is really good this year and clearly the 7th favorite if not the favorite in the state. I do feel St. X is very near the top of the rest.