Former Marietta High School standout Alex Kendall completes a two-handed dunk as a member of the Findlay men's basketball team. (Photo courtesy of the University of Findlay)

As he prepares for his junior season at the University of Findlay, Marietta High School graduate Alex Kendall would love nothing more than to see his collegiate career unfold in the same manner his high school basketball career at MHS did.

Kendall played a supporting role on the Tigers squad as a freshman and sophomore before playing a major part his final two seasons as he helped change the culture of Tiger basketball that culminated in Marietta claiming their first district championship in 50 years.

The 6 foot-8 Kendall led the Tigers to a 15-8 record his junior season of 2022-23 before earning first team All-Ohio honors his senior season as Marietta posted an outstanding 22-3 record this past spring.

Kendall averaged 21.6 points per game and 9.1 rebounds as a senior before deciding to play collegiate ball at Findlay, the alma mater of his Marietta head coach Austin Gardner.

As a freshman Kendall got his feet wet on a very good Oiler team that went 24-5.

Former Marietta High School standout Alex Kendall shoots a free throw as a member of the Findlay men's basketball team. (Photo courtesy of the University of Findlay)

The Oilers took a bit of a step back this past season as they slipped to 18-12 and just 11-9 in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference.

“If I’m being honest we didn’t reach our expectations last year,” said Kendall, who started 18 of the 30 games as a sophomore. “We had a high standard going in and a lot of talent and just came up short of what we wanted to accomplish.”

With a lot of talent returning this year, Kendall has hopes that the Oilers can get back on track with a season much closer to the one he experienced as a freshman.

“We get our core group of guys back this year and I think we have a very exciting season ahead of us.” said Kendall.

While he saw his minutes expand from 15 a game as a freshman to 20 as a sophomore, Kendall expects to play a key role in the success of Findlay basketball this coming season.

Former Marietta High School standout Alex Kendall completes a two-handed dunk as a member of the Findlay men's basketball team. (Photo courtesy of the University of Findlay)

“I’m going to be stepping into a bigger role and I’m really excited about that,” said Kendall, who averaged 8 points per game and 4.1 rebounds per contest last season. “My big thing is just getting better each and every year right and I’m working really hard to make that happen.”

Kendall’s ability to not only be a force under the basket with his size but to also shoot and pass the basketball made him a special talent in high school.

After a bit of a disappointing season shooting the ball last year, Kendall hopes to get back on track in 2026-27.

“I’ve really been spending a lot of time shooting this offseason because I struggled a bit last year,” said Kendall, who shot just 20 percent from behind the arc last year after shooting an impressive 50 percent as a freshman. “That has always been a big part of my game and I’m working hard to improve my shooting.”

Gardner’s first season at Marietta was Kendall’s junior season and ironically a bit of deja vu will take place this year as Gardner has returned to Findlay as an assistant coach.

“I’m excited to get to play for coach Gardner again because he made such an impact on my game and life in high school,” said Kendall. “He’s an incredible coach and it’s kind of the same scenario with him coming here at the same time he did in high school.”

Kendall kept up with his former teammates this past season and was thrilled to see them capture that elusive District title.

“I was glad to see them get it done. We have been chasing a district championship for a long time and I was glad to see them finally bring it back to Marietta,” said Kendall. “The class of 2026 was a great class that had some very good players and I know coach Gardner got to coach those kids up and they trusted him and bought in and it ultimately led to a district championship and a great season.”

Kendall keeps in contact with his former Tiger teammates as much as possible.

“It’s tough because everyone has got their own schedules but it’s cool to get to come back and work out with some of them in the summer,” said Kendall. “It’s a good tradition at Marietta and we stay connected and we’ve been friends for a few years now so I will always be in touch with those guys.”

This summer Kendall has kept himself quite busy. In addition to spending as much time as possible in the gym he is also working at Power Flow Solutions – an electrical manufacturing plant in Marietta.

“That’s where I am spending my working hours this summer and it’s been great,” said Kendall. “I’m able to go workout right after that so it has worked out very well for me.”

Being back home and spending time with his father Robert who has been dealing with some serious medical issues and the rest of his family is something that Kendall cherishes.

“It’s always nice coming back and having the summer off and getting to spend some time with my family,” said Kendall. “He’s (Dad) been doing pretty good and since I’ve gotten back this summer he’s been a little more perky and feeling a little more like himself and that’s been great to see.”