We first met the Class of 2024 through a computer school and they were Virtually Awesome! With each year, the success and Bison Pride grew exponentially.

 

Thursday was Senior Awards Night and it was heartwarming to see the combined accolades and endless possibilities for the future. Thank you to our dedicated teachers and staff who mentored these young Bison these last four years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fenton senior Xavior Gonzalez recently decided to continue his basketball career at Elgin Community College. He made his decision in part because of the strong connection he quickly formed with Elgin Community College Coach Kent Payne.

 

“I’m beyond grateful to be part of another basketball program that prioritizes culture, team success and selflessness,” Xavior said, referencing similarities to the Fenton program led by Coaches Taft, Kopp and Montano. “I thank Coach Taft for his incredible work ethic and his passion for not only making us great basketball players but teaching us to be great young men.”

 

Xavior said Coach Taft worked hard to provide him as well as teammates past and present with tons of opportunities to chase success.

 

This year was especially historic, as the Bison set a new program record for team wins, with a final record of 28-5. Xavior led the Bison Ballers to the first Upstate Eight Conference Championship by any Fenton team since joining in 2019.

 

 

 

Xavior finished this season with 17.9 points per game, 3.0 steals per game, 3.2 assists per game, a 47% overall field goal shooting percentage, and he made 28% from behind the 3-point arc.

 

Xavior was named All Conference for the second time and was named to the Daily Herald 2024 All Area Team. He was also a 2024 Illinois Basketball Coaches Association All State Honorable Mention, which puts him among the top players in Illinois.

 

Overall, Xavior finishes his Fenton career with 1,129 points (any scoring total over 1,000 points is rare), as well as 205 assists and 166 steals.

 

“Batting through adversity with a ‘next play’ mentality was a core life skill that was engraved within my time at Fenton,” Xavior explained. “I greatly appreciated and enjoyed my time here at Fenton High School. The teachers and staff were incredibly supportive, giving tons of their time, effort, and thought into my high school career.”

 

 

 

Most importantly, Xavior thanked his parents for their “rock solid” care and love as he pushed himself in every opportunity so far.

 

“All glory goes to God for my amazing parents, for their endless belief and support in me,” Xavior said. “Through thick and thin, they were always there and always gave it their absolute best for everything I needed. God bless my amazing parents.”