Xavier’s coach, Jim Potts, looking for sixth championship

Jim Potts and his wife Stephanie were a part of Tom Lilly's girls’ basketball coaching staff at Cedar Rapids Xavier.

Stephanie was Lilly's longtime assistant and Jim also spent some time on the staff. Both were on the sidelines when the Saints won their sixth state championship in March in Lilly's final game, a 66-47 win over North Polk.

Now Jim Potts has a chance for the same storybook finish.

For the past 12 seasons, he has led the highly successful boys’ tennis program at Xavier. During that span, the Saints have won five state championships.

Like Lilly, Potts has announced his retirement at the end of the season, which concludes this week with the Class 1A state team tournament, which starts on Tuesday and concludes on Wednesday at the Hawkeye Recreation and Tennis Complex in Iowa City.

The quarterfinals and semifinals will be held Tuesday beginning at 9 a.m. with the consolation match at 9 a.m. and title match at 10 a.m. on Wednesday.

Potts has a chance to match Lilly's total of six state championships. Xavier won titles in 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023 (there was no season in 2020 due to COVID-19) The Saints have been ranked No. 1 all season and are the overwhelming favorite to regain the title after losing a 5-3 decision to Dubuque Wahlert in last year's title match.

Xavier comes into the team tournament with tremendous momentum. Junior Charlie LeGrand captured the 1A singles title last week with a thrilling three-set victory over North Polk's Easton Moon. Junior Jacob Schmit teamed with sophomore Bennett Link to take the doubles title.

"Charlie set his sights on a state singles title early this year and has made significant progress," Potts said of LeGrand. "His physical strength has noticeably improved over the past two years, allowing him to hit the ball with more power, better control, and greater consistency. He had to use every bit of his experience to defeat a formidable opponent in Easton Moon.

"Jacob and Bennett worked well together to gain their first state title. Their chemistry and communication were key factors all year long. They played well in the entire tournament and for the most part were not tested."

A team win would match the accomplishments of the 2022 squad that saw Brady Horstmann win in singles and Declan Coe and Hugh Courter prevail in doubles. It also could mean a rematch with Wahlert in the final.

Xavier got the No. 1 seed while the Golden Eagles are seeded third behind Sergeant Bluff-Luton. The Saints are 16-1, including a 7-2 win over Wahlert. The only blemish was a 6-3 loss to Class 2A No. 2 Prairie.

The Saints’ quarterfinal opponent is No. 8 Boone (15-2). A win there would put them in the semifinals against the winner between No. 3 Decorah (16-0) and No. 6 Ballard (14-3). The other quarterfinals have Wahlert (13-3) vs. No. 6 Pella (14-5) and Sergeant Bluff-Luton (24-0) vs. No. 7 Waverly-Shell Rock (11-2).

"It is very possible we could meet Wahlert again," Potts said. "Our guys have definitely not forgotten what happened last year and have been preparing for a rematch if that happens. It has been clear all year that the goal is to get back to state and bring home a title no matter who the opponent may be."

No matter the result this week, Potts has many fond memories of his time coaching the Saints.

"I've been blessed with a lot of great tennis players and families at Xavier over the past 12 years," he said. "I'm hoping to close out the season with a state championship and then be able to spend some more time with my family."

3 AREA TEAMS IN 2A

The Class 2A tournament, which features three area teams - Cedar Rapids Prairie, Iowa City West and Linn-Mar - will be held at Waukee Northwest High School.

Prairie, led by state singles champion Anthony Schulte and his brother, Dylan, the state runner-up, got the No. 2 seed. Coach Eric Modracek's Hawks (16-0) will open with No. 7 Ames (13-2).

Iowa City West (14-2), which finished third last year, is seeded fourth and will meet No. 5 Johnston (13-1) in its quarterfinal. Linn-Mar (12-6) is at state for the eighth straight season. The Lions, fourth-place finishers in 2024, got the No. 6 seed. They open with No. 3 Pleasant Valley (11-1). Host Waukee Northwest (15-0) is the top seed and will play No. 8 West Des Moines Dowling (9-2) in the quarterfinals.