HIGH SCHOOL JOURNALISM: Saints eye trip to the 'Well'

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By Daniel Vega, Xavier senior

CEDAR RAPIDS - The Xavier boys' basketball team makes its final push toward Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines tonight.

Xavier (15-8) has not had a team reach the state tournament in boys' basketball since 2006 season and, despite playing top-ranked Dubuque Wahlert (19-4) in the substate final tonight at Epworth, the coaches and players have high hopes.

'Coach (Ryan) Luehrsman and the rest of the coaching staff feel that we have a great chance at making it to the Well,' senior Matt Nelson said.

Wahlert beat Xavier, 69-60, during the regular season.

'We may have to play Dubuque Wahlert again, but other than that, I think it would be a very cool experience to be the first team since 2006 to make it to the Well,' Nelson said before the start of the playoffs.