Ten Best: Cedar Rapids Xavier (63) at Mount Vernon (55)
Jackson Joens scored a team-high 19 for Xavier Cedar Rapids Xavier 63, Mount Vernon 55 It took a while for defending 3A state champion Cedar Rapids Xavier to get going on Thursday night, but they dominated the middle two quarter…
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Continue ReadingCedar Rapids Xavier 63, Mount Vernon 55
It took a while for defending 3A state champion Cedar Rapids Xavier to get going on Thursday night, but they dominated the middle two quarter en route to a 63-55 road win over Mount Vernon, advancing to Monday night’s substate final against Dubuque Wahlert.
A deliberate offensive approach, and some cold Xavier shooting, helped Mount Vernon jump out to an 8-2 lead midway through the first quarter. They would lead 15-9 after one behind a pair of transition 3s from sophomore guard Blake Booth, who knocked them down back-to-back off the bench. The second quarter was another story, as Xavier sharpshooter Jackson Joens caught fire, scoring eight of his team-high 19 in the frame and helping the Saints grab a 27-23 lead heading into the locker rooms.
The second half brought a much more intense defensive effort from the Saints, and they were in control throughout the course of the final 16 minutes.
All five starters scored in double figures for Xavier (12-11), led by Jackson Joens, who had 19 points. Quinn Schulte had 14, and Matt Mims, Nolan Butkowski and Max Techau each added 10 points. Techau also had 11 rebounds. The Saints will play MVC rival Dubuque Wahlert at the US Cellular Center (Cedar Rapids) on Monday night, with tip scheduled for 6:30 p.m. The winner will advance to the state tournament.
Mount Vernon ends their season at 17-6. The Mustangs were led by Austin Ash, who scored a game-high 24, but was held to just 5-15 shooting. Drew Adams added 11 in the loss.
Team | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | F |
Cedar Rapids Xavier | 9 | 18 | 15 | 21 | 63 |
Mount Vernon | 15 | 8 | 7 | 25 | 55 |
Cedar Rapids Xavier: Jackson Joens 19, Quinn Schulte 14, Matt Mims 10, Nolan Butkowski 10, Max Techau 10
Mount Vernon: Austin Ash 24, Drew Adams 11, Zackary Krogmann 6, Blake Booth 6, Nick Leopold 5, Jeremy Krogmann 3
MVP: Jackson Joens (Cedar Rapids Xavier)
After a quiet first quarter for all the Xavier players, Joens caught fire in the second, scoring eight of his team-high 19 during a 13-2 run that helped the Saints gain complete control over the game. A dead-eye shooter, he took a while to get into the flow of the game after sitting out a pair of contests with a minor injury. He’s back in the lineup now, and made the most of it, going 7-14 from the floor en route to his 19 points. But the reason he’s the MVP of this game is that his second quarter shooting helped spark that run and completely changed the course of the rest of the night.
Best offensive performance: Jackson Joens (Cedar Rapids Xavier)
Quinn Schulte had a nice night for the Saints as well, scoring 14 points on 5-6 shooting, but all of his shots were layups. Joens did his damage in more ways, knocking down 3s, mid-range jumpers and a bucket at the rim. This was probably one of his better games of the season.
Best defensive performance: Nolan Butkowski/Quinn Schulte (Cedar Rapids Xavier)
This combination of guards were the primary defenders on Mount Vernon star Austin Ash. While he scored 24 points, he did so on 5-15 shooting, in large part due to the pressure this tandem put on him on every possession. Every jumper was contested, and every touch he got on the block was a physical battle to get the shot off.
Best passer: Matt Mims (Cedar Rapids Xavier)
The Xavier floor general dished out five assists on the night, showing great court vision and the ability to fit passes into spaces that most other guards in the state can’t. He’s always looking ahead in transition, and his ability to break down a defense with the dribble, making them collapse and then finding an open shooter is a big-time skill. I think Xavier is better when he’s playing in this mode, rather than when he has to be that night’s top scorer.
Best shooter: Jackson Joens (Cedar Rapids Xavier)
Memo to opposing teams: Don’t let Jackson Joens catch the ball in the corner. Like Steph Curry or Klay Thompson, if Joens catches in the corner, you may as well just put 3 up on the board. He’s got a quick, smooth and consistent release and he moves well off the ball. With his 6-5 frame, he’s also able to get his shot off pretty much whenever at this level.
Best rebounder: Max Techau (Cedar Rapids Xavier)
Techau got into early foul trouble which limited his productiveness in the first half, but he still finished with a game-high 11 rebounds. He was the biggest player on the floor, but he’s also the most aggressive in attacking the ball when it comes off the rim. He battles on the glass on both ends of the floor.
Mount Vernon’s best: Austin Ash
Ash, who will be a preferred walk-on at Iowa next season, scored a game-high 24 points, but he had to battle for each of them. Despite his thin stature, he was willing to post up Xavier’s guards, which is where a majority of his made field goals came from. More known as a shooter, he’s worked tremendously hard to expand his game, and it was evident in this game. While the season didn’t end the way he wanted it to, he ended a fantastic high school career with another 20+ point game.
Best bench player: Blake Booth (Mount Vernon)
The sophomore guard came off the bench and ignited a great start for the Mustangs, knocking down a pair of transition 3s to help them jump out to a quick 8-2 lead, and make the Mount Vernon gym as loud as it was at any point in the evening. He’s got a quick release, and should be a name to monitor over the next few years as the Mustangs transition away from the Austin Ash era.
The X-factor: Nolan Butkowski (Cedar Rapids Xavier)
If Xavier is going to make it to state and defend their title, I firmly believe Butkowski is the most important player on that journey. The Saints’ late season surge can be tied to the improved play of the 6-1 senior guard, who took a while to get into the swing of things after a long, successful football season. He’s playing his best basketball right now, and he gives the Saints another scoring option alongside their “Big Three”. Additionally, he’s the best perimeter defender they have, and one of the best in eastern Iowa. If he’s playing at a high level, the Saints are playing at a high level.
What to watch in Xavier’s substate final: Saints’ defensive intensity
The Saints won the regular season meeting against Wahlert by 19, played in the last week of the regular season. They can’t get too confident knowing that they’ve already handled this team not too long ago, and as long as they bring the defensive intensity that they brought in the second half of this game, they should have a chance to defend their title.