Xavier boys open posteason with win

Cedar Rapids Xavier opened Class 4A substate play last night with a 61-43 victory over Dubuque Hempstead in boys' basketball at Xavier.

Xavier improved to 8-14 overall and advances to play second-ranked Linn-Mar at 7 p.m. Friday at Linn-Mar.

Joe Sayre scored 17 points for the Saints, John Keller 13 and Nathan Joens 12.

Josh Lenz scored 15 points for Hempstead, which bowed out at 6-16.SOLON 78, NORTH CEDAR 40 - Matt Morrison scored 19 points for Class 2A top-ranked Solon in a substate semifinal at Maquoketa.

Tucker Wentzien added 17 points and 10 rebounds for the Spartans (24-0). Ben Bergman added 11 points and 10 rebounds and Ben Weeks chipped in with 11 points.

Solon will play Dyersville Beckman on Saturday night at Marion High School in a substate final.

Dale Samuels and Jessy Gutwiler each scored nine points for North Cedar (21-3).

CENTRAL CITY 62, HIGHLAND 32 - Trent Fiechtner scored 22 points and Sean Brandhorst added 13 for host Central City in a Class 1A district semifinal.