HIGH SCHOOL JOURNALISM: Saints sticking together

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By Nic Ekland, Xavier junior

CEDAR RAPIDS - As the New Year begins, the goal for the Xavier girls' basketball team remains the same - win by playing as a team.

'The team chemistry is awesome right now,' senior Hayley Deutmeyer said. 'We are playing together as one unit and that makes it really fun.'

The Saints (7-9 overall, 4-5 MVC) are faring well as they near the halfway point of the season, especially considering the brutal schedule they have faced playing against much bigger 5A competition. They suffered a key loss in the off-season when sophomore Mckenna Andersen tore her ACL, taking her out for the entire season. She had played important minutes as a freshman on the 2013 state championship team.

'It's hard watching your teammates play and endure practices without being out there with them,' Andersen said.

The loss of Andersen was substantial, and the Saints still are  trying to replace her.'I'm working hard to rehab right now, and God willing I'll be back next season,' Andersen said.

The Saints suffered two hard-fought defeats against highly ranked schools, losing 55-31 to West Des Moines Valley and 54-46 to the Cedar Rapids Kennedy Cougars.

Last week, the Saints beat Dubuque Wahlert, 63-31, on senior night.

The Saints are looking to bounce back, hosting Prairie tonight.