Steven Wade is in his third year coaching Russell Christian Academy’s boys basketball team, but he’s been around the game a lot longer.

Never in his life has he seen an athlete the caliber of senior guard Xavier Heidelberg, he claims.

Wade recalled the first time he ever watched Heidelberg practice before last year’s AISA Final Four season. Heidelberg transferred to RCA from Meridian High School, determined to, in his words, make history.

“The thing that stood out to begin with was his quickness,” Wade recalled. “That’s something I had never seen. That’s really the thing that gets him to the level he’s at, that and his competitive spirit. Whether it’s in class with the correct way to spell something or with free throws, he’s a competitor. Sometimes that gets him in trouble, but he wants to win.”

Recently, Heidelberg has earned some national recognition of sorts. He currently ranks second in the country in scoring on MaxPreps.com with 360 total points, 30 points per game, and fourth in steals with 5.1 per game. Heidelberg said he heard of his standings from a friend, Eddie Brown — who plays quarterback at MHS — a couple of weeks ago.

“I’m just thankful,” Heidelberg said. “It doesn’t excite me, because I want to get better, but it does show I’m not a pushover, whether I’m playing against a public or private (school team).”

What would excite Heidelberg? Winning an AISA championship after being put out in the Final Four this past spring. To make history, in other words.

“This is my senior year, so I have to go all out,” Heidelberg said. “Last year, we lost badly (in the Final Four). Everything happens for a reason. Sometimes, we didn’t practice seriously, and that showed us that we have to take every practice seriously, not just the ones before serious games.”

Heidelberg’s journey to RCA began prior to the 2015-16 school year, when his parents, Terry and Tony Houston, were considering moving to Birmingham, Ala. When Heidelberg announced his desire to transfer to RCA, they opted to put a potential move on hold at least until Heidelberg graduated, which he’s slated to do in the spring.

“It’s very special,” Heidelberg said of the gesture. “They always put me in the place they feel is best for me.”

Heidelberg called his decision to attend RCA the best decision he’s ever made, saying the school allows him to get closer to God and form a bond with his teachers.

“I made a connection with them,” Heidelberg said. “On good or bad days, they still love me.”

The Warriors are currently 10-2 on the season. In Wade’s first year coaching the team, RCA went 1-15. Last season, after Heidelberg transferred in, their record was 21-5. Having a player of Heidelberg’s caliber made a big difference, Wade said. 

“On the floor, there’s not a better player this or last year,” Wade said. “He was up for Mr. Basketball in the state of Alabama last year — he didn’t win it, but I don’t think there’s an athlete out there that has the talent he’s had. He’s not getting the recognition because we’re a small school, but colleges are starting to notice. On the floor, I can basically entrust him to lead, and it’s getting to the point where I can trust him in practice to lead.”

While he’s RCA’s go-to scorer, Wade said Heidelberg isn’t afraid to trust his teammates if they’re in a better position to make a play than he is, recalling an instance earlier this season that exemplified his unselfishness.

“We were playing a public school, and he got the ball and crossed someone up,” Wade said. “Everyone crashed to him, and he passed to a kid that doesn’t score much and was wide open for an easy layup.”

Heidelberg said he enjoys being around his teammates and credits their abilities for helping to take pressure off of him.

“Jeremiah (Hall) is one of the best passers and rebounders around,” Heidelberg said. “If Billy (Clark) shoots, nine times out of 10 it’s going in, and Melvin (Blakely) will drive for a few shots. He’s like my brother.”

Wade wants to win a state championship regardless, but he said he especially wants Heidelberg to get one before he graduates.

“If there’s anyone who wants it worse than me, it’s him,” Wade said. “I know that, and I see him wanting it. At times, he doesn’t exactly know what it takes to get it, but I don’t think there’s something he wants more, other than getting a college scholarship.”

Heidelberg said he at least has some idea of what it would take to win a title: He pointed to his No. 4 ranking in steals, saying that part of his game would be a key factor come the postseason.

“When it comes down to the Final Four, you need defense to win, because everyone can score,” Heidelberg said. “Offense wins games, but defense wins championships.”

Hopeful to play beyond his high school years, Heidelberg said he wants to attend college on a basketball scholarship to help work toward a degree, possibly a degree in nursing. He recalled shooting hoops as a child while his grandmother Annie Ruth Heidelberg and his great grandmother Ella “Big Ma” Horn would watch. Horn has since died, but Heidelberg said he wants to help carry on her legacy.

“I dedicate (my playing basketball) to her, because she saw something in me,” Heidelberg said. 

The Warriors will next play in the South Choctaw tournament Dec. 16-17.