‘Special individual’ Mary Kate Moeder ignites Xavier in Metro girls’ basketball showdown

CEDAR RAPIDS — Regardless of team rooting interests, it’s impossible not to pull for somebody like Mary Kate Moeder.

“She’s a special individual,” Cedar Rapids Xavier Coach Tom Lilly said. “For her to come out, hit a couple of bombs ... good for her.

“A lot of times, in the end, good things happen to good people.”

Moeder scored a team-high 13 points — 11 in the second half — and fifth-ranked Xavier held off Marion, 59-52, in a Class 4A girls’ basketball regional semifinal Saturday night at Ron Thillen Gymnasium.

“I remember last year, I was still rehabbing (from a torn ACL), and I was watching the state tournament,” said Moeder, a senior. “I knew how bad I wanted to be there this year with my teammates.”

They’re one step away.

Xavier (16-6) advances to Tuesday’s regional final, at home, against No. 9 Keokuk (18-3). The Chiefs handled Mount Pleasant, 63-41.

Tipoff is 7 p.m.

The Saints prevailed by making 23 of 32 free throws, 15 of 18 in the final 3:00. Moeder made 5 of 7 freebies.

“We made enough free throws down the stretch,” Lilly said. “The unfortunate thing was, we decided to match them foul for foul.”

Xavier led by as many as 15 points (29-14) late in the second quarter, but the Saints weren’t completely safe until the final minute.

Marion (13-10) got within four points on three occasions, the final time at 49-45 on Ava Attwood’s two free throws with 1:55 left.

“You kept thinking a lot of time was getting off the clock (between fouls), but then you’d look up, and only a couple of seconds would be shaved off,” Moeder said.

“But this feels amazing. I’ve been waiting for this moment as long as I can remember.”

Libby Fandel added 12 points for the Saints, and had five steals as Xavier’s press forced numerous backcourt turnovers; Marion finished with 21 miscues total.

Lexi Beier tallied nine points, Maddie Steger eight.

Sadie Struchen hit 5 of 7 3-pointers and led Marion with 17 points in her high-school finale. Attwood added 12 points, Ella Bockenstedt 11 points and seven rebounds.

Cedar Rapids Xavier 59, Marion 52

Class 4A Regional Semifinal, at C.R. Xavier

MARION (52): Ava Attwood 1-5 9-10 12, Sadie Struchen 6-10 0-0 17, Molly Dunne 0-3 2-2 2, Ella Bockenstedt 4-7 3-3 11, Madison Prier 1-5 1-3 3, Regan Rice 1-4 1-2 3, Mila Van Weelden 2-5 0-1 4, Jenna Heinricy 0-0 0-0 0, Madeline Pavelka 0-2 0-0 0, Grace Stephenson 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 15-41 16-21 52.

C.R. XAVIER (59): Maya Karl 1-1 0-0 2, Libby Fandel 4-7 4-4 12, Lexi Beier 2-8 4-4 9, Maddie Steger 2-6 4-9 8, Mary Kate Moeder 3-5 5-7 13, Emma Arnold 0-2 1-2 1, Kyla Mason 2-4 2-2 6, Riley Jonker 1-3 2-2 5, Lexi Turner 1-2 1-2 3, Sydney Huber 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 16-39 23-32 59.

Marion 13 5 16 18 -- 52

C.R. Xavier 18 11 12 18 -- 59

3-point goals: Marion 6-14 (Attwood 1-3, Struchen 5-7, Bockenstedt 0-1, Prier 0-1, Dunne 0-2), Xavier 4-19 (Fandel 0-3, Beier 1-5, Steger 0-3, Moeder 2-4, Arnold 0-1, Jonker 1-1, Turner 0-1, Huber 0-1). Team fouls: Marion 22, Xavier 14. Fouled out: Attwood. Rebounds: Marion 29 (Van Weelden 7), Xavier 29 (Karl 7). Assists: Marion 6 (Attwood, Bockenstedt, Prier 2), Xavier 6 (Karl, Moeder 2). Steals: Marion 8 (Attwood 3), Xavier 12 (Fandel 5). Turnovers: Marion 21, Xavier 16.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com