Herndon Basketball Players Earn First Team Accolades

Contributed by Coach Kevin Quinlan and McAllister Pierce-Biney, Guest Writer

Herndon High School’s boys’ varsity basketball team enjoyed its first winning season in nearly a decade, ending their campaign with a 12-11 record. Cash Xeller (‘25) was named to the Liberty District’s All Defensive Team, Charlie Morgan (‘26) was named 2nd Team All Liberty District, and Toby Haire (‘25) was named 1st Team All Liberty District and 2nd Team All Northern Region for the second year in a row. The JV team concluded its season with an inspiring 10-6 record. -

Xeller played a key defensive role in his team’s success this season. “I pride myself on defense,” Xeller said. “Defense wins games and championships. Guarding the opposing team's best player gave me confidence, and that confidence spread to my teammates.” He referred to the season as a rollercoaster, but to stay mentally sharp, Xeller used yoga as part of his preparation for each game, as his breathing exercises help him stay relaxed. Junior Charlie Morgan set a goal before the season to earn all district honors. “The work I put in, along with the trust my teammates had in me, pushed me to perform at my best,” he said. Senior Toby Haire is happy with leaving the team on a high note. “I think highly of the upcoming season and the future this program is headed in.”