Oxford, AL – The senior basketball standout is a major player in the recent success of Oxford’s girls, has signed to join Tennessee State.
By Joe Medley
Xai’Onna’s Whitfield was instrumental in helping Oxford girls basketball make their debut Final Four appearance, and she has just signed Oxford the Yellow Jackets a Division I signing.
The Oxford senior signed on Wednesday to be a part of Tennessee State, making her Oxford’s very first Division I signee in girls basketball.
“Don’t know for certain but not 100 however, we believe this could be one of the few Division I girls basketball player has signed with us,” long-time Oxford athletics director Larry Davidson said during his remarks that drew applause and cheers from the family, friends and players gathered at Oxford High Media Center. Oxford High Media Center.
Whitfield is a major participant in Oxford’s journey through the 2022 class 6A championship game as well as the Northeast Regional final last season. Whitfield was named a finalist in the Alabama Sports Writers Association Class 6A player of the year in 2022.
“Xai has been a major factor in our success over in the past few decades,” Oxford coach Melissa Bennett commented. “It’s incredible to watch her. The ease with which she executes the moves is a very rare.
“My favourite thing, though is her role evolution through the years. As a freshman/sophomore, she was better at being a facilitator, and could score when required or if it wasn’t contested. In junior high she was one of the offense’s three-headed scorers. As an adult, I’ve observed her rise to be more imposing on a regular basis.”
Whitfield was averaging 14.8 scores and 4.8 Rebounds and was the her team’s MVP at her team at the Calhoun County tournament as a junior. She was a two-time all-state player.
She stated that she picked Tennessee State over Nicholls State.
“When I was on my trip, it was like being part of a familial experience,” Whitfield said. “It’s the place where I felt as if I was meant to be. I simply enjoyed the surroundings. It was like coming back to home.”
