Getting comfortable

CEDAR RAPIDS - Now that Xavier sophomore Lexi Noonan has a permanent spot on the varsity, she hopes to prove herself even more this season.

Noonan spent last season on the sophomore team alongside her freshmen teammates Maddix Stovie, Kylie Brown and Kiana Stanek. This season, she his one of a number of underclassmen fueling the varsity.

'I see myself as a contributor for assists and I hope to get on the board as well,” Noonan said.

After the coaches saw her skills last season, Noonan was moved up for the varsity for the state tournament, practicing and filling in where needed.

'Lexi has talent that she has not even tapped in to,” Coach Tom Lilly said. 'We're hoping that as she matures and develops, those skills will blossom. On top of that, she's got the greatest smile in the world.”

Noonan is averaging 4.7 points and has 32 rebounds for the 10-5 Saints.

'I get a lot more playing time and am not as nervous to go in,” she said. 'I have gained a lot more confidence not only as a player, but as a teammate as well.”

Noonan has a deep commitment to the sport, which she has been playing since fourth grade. She credits Mark Hazlett, her seventh-grade basketball coach, for bestowing the love of basketball in her. Noonan spent four years with the Xavier basketball feeder team, the Cedar Rapids Bulldogs.

'Bulldogs was a great introduction program to Xavier's program and I'm thankful for getting the experience to play with my teammates at a young age,” Noonan said.