Xavier sweep: Tom Lilly, Libby Fandel claim top honors on Gazette’s all-area girls basketball team

CEDAR RAPIDS — There was nothing tropical, nothing sexy about Tom Lilly’s spring break.

“I’m in the middle of a bathroom remodel,” he said earlier this week.

Surely, despite the tedious work, Lilly’s mind was allowed to wander a couple of weeks into the past.

The view was spectacular.

Led by a brilliant postseason run by Libby Fandel, Cedar Rapids Xavier provided Lilly with a storybook ending to his coaching career.

The Saints captured the Class 4A girls’ state basketball championship, winning all three games in Des Moines by double figures.

“A full-circle moment,” Fandel said afterward. “I’m so glad to go out like this.”

In the aftermath of the title run, Fandel was selected as Miss Iowa Basketball 2025. So, of course, she is the logical pick -- the only pick, really -- as The Gazette’s area player of the year.

Lilly, 70, is the area coach of the year. In November, he disclosed that his 40th season on the bench (27 at Xavier, 13 before that at Cedar Rapids Regis) would be his last.

His coaching tombstone will include a record of 644-301, 19 state appearances, six state championships, hundreds of lives touched.

And when it comes to his decision to retire, no moments of regret.

“Not one,” he said. “I can’t say that I won’t at some point.

“Everybody tells you, you know when it’s time, and it’s time. The last thing I’ve got is the (postseason) banquet Monday. I think the time I’ll realize that it’s really over is when I’m not unlocking the door for open gym this summer.”

Xavier was 10-14 last season, then jumped to 22-4 in the Lilly/Fandel finale. The Saints closed with 14 consecutive wins.

How?

“It helped to have Madden (Wilson) back for a full year,” Lilly said. “I believe we got smarter; the kids’ basketball IQ got higher. They were on their phones a lot, looking at Hudl on their apps, doing their own scouting.”

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As for Fandel ...

“She continued to progress,” Lilly said. “She became a more physical player, stronger. And she developed more trust in her teammates. She didn’t feel like she had to win it on her own.”

And yet, Fandel’s numbers soared in her final season. She averaged 26.3 points, 10.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 3.8 steals per game, with shooting percentages of .482 (field goals), .397 (3-pointers) and .837 (free throws).

It was even better once the Saints entered the postseason. In five win-or-else games, she averaged 32.8 points, 14.4 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 3.0 steals.

Signed with the University of Kansas, Fandel finished her career with 1,995 points, second-most in Cedar Rapids/Marion metro history.

“She’s just scratching the surface,” KU assistant coach Morgan Paige said before the state tournament. “She’s going to be really, really good (at the college level).”

A four-time all-area pick, Fandel teamed with Lilly for two 4A state titles; the other was in 2022.

Xavier’s championship run, and that of Mount Vernon (3A), highlighted a memorable season in which 11 area teams reached the state tournament.

Two teams — Mount Vernon (Sydney Huber and Chloe Meester) and 5A state qualifier Cedar Rapids Prairie (Asia Beale and Emily Larsen) — had two girls on the 15-player all-area team.

The rest of the squad consists of Samantha Becker (Cedar Rapids Washington), Molly Boge (North Linn), Rowan Jacobi (Springville), Brooke Krogmann (West Delaware), Jayden Kuper (Monticello), Averie Lower (Clear Creek Amana), Morgan Miller (Iowa City Regina), Natalie Ramsey (Iowa City Liberty), Carly Rich (Williamsburg) and Cora Widel (Maquoketa).

The Gazette’s 2024-25 all-area girls’ basketball team

Asia Beale, 5-8, sr., Cedar Rapids Prairie — IPSWA Class 5A third-team all-state. Averaged 15.3 points and 6.0 rebounds as the Hawks (20-5) advanced to the 5A state quarterfinals. Finished her career with 762 points.

Samantha Becker, 5-8, jr., Cedar Rapids Washington — Two-time selection. IPSWA Class 5A second-team all-state. Averaged 16.9 points and 7.0 rebounds per game as the Warriors (13-10) reached the 5A regional finals. Has scored 1,020 points with one season remaining.

Molly Boge, 5-8, sr., North Linn — IPSWA Class 1A first-team all-state. Averaged 19.4 points, 6.0 assists and 4.9 steals per game as the Lynx (24-2) advanced to the 1A state semifinals. Finished her career with 1,294 points.

Libby Fandel, 6-0, sr., Cedar Rapids Xavier — Four-time selection. IPSWA Class 4A first-team all-state and Miss Iowa Basketball 2025. Averaged 26.3 points, 10.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 3.8 steals per game as the Saints (22-4) won the 4A state championship. Finished her career with 1,995 points.

Sydney Huber, 6-0, sr., Mount Vernon — IPSWA Class 3A first-team all-state. Averaged 15.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game as the Mustangs (26-1) won the 3A state championship. Finished with 1,020 career points. Signed with the University of Evansville.

Rowan Jacobi, 6-2, jr., Springville — IPSWA Class 1A first-team all-state. Averaged 22.8 points, 13.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game as the Orioles (20-5) advanced to the 1A state quarterfinals. Has scored 1,427 points with one season remaining. Committed to the University of South Dakota.

Brooke Krogmann, 6-0, sr., West Delaware — IPSWA Class 3A first-team all-state. Averaged 19.1 points, 9.4 rebounds and 5.3 blocks per game as the Hawks (14-9) advanced to the 3A regional semifinals. Finished her career with 1,505 points. Will play volleyball at Upper Iowa University.

Jayden Kuper, 5-11, sr., Monticello — Two-time selection IPSWA Class 3A first-team all-state. Averaged 20.1 points, 9.5 rebounds and 3.9 steals per game as the Panthers (16-8) reached the 3A regional semifinals. Finished her career with 1,623 points. Will play at the University of Missouri at St. Louis.

Emily Larsen, 5-11, jr., Cedar Rapids Prairie — IPSWA Class 5A second-team all-state. Averaged 15.6 points and 4.5 rebounds as the Hawks (20-5) advanced to the 5A state quarterfinals. Has scored 806 points with one season remaining.

Averie Lower, 5-11, jr., Clear Creek Amana — Two-time selection. IPSWA Class 4A first-team all-state. Averaged 22.5 points, 9.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game as the Clippers (15-8) reached the 4A regional finals. Has scored 1,236 points with one season remaining.

Chloe Meester, 6-2, sr., Mount Vernon — Two-time selection. IPSWA Class 3A first-team all-state. Averaged 13.8 points and 9.5 rebounds per game as the Mustangs (26-1) won the 3A state championship. Finished with 915 career points. Signed to play volleyball at the University of Louisville.

Morgan Miller, 5-6, sr., Iowa City Regina — Two-time selection. IPSWA Class 2A first-team all-state. Averaged 19.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 4.4 steals per game as the Regals (24-2) reached the 2A state semifinals. Finished her career with 1,675 points. Signed with Truman State University.

Natalie Ramsey, 6-0, jr., Iowa City Liberty — IPSWA Class 5A first-team all-state. Averaged 22.3 points and 10.4 rebounds per game as the Lightning (17-7) advanced to the 5A state quarterfinals. Has scored 826 points with one season remaining. Committed to the University of South Dakota.

Carly Rich, 5-6, sr., Williamsburg — IPSWA Class 3A second-team all-state. Averaged 12.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game as the Raiders (24-3) advanced to the 3A state semifinals. Finished her career with 1,199 points. Will play at Wartburg College.

Cora Widel, 6-1, jr., Maquoketa — IPSWA Class 4A second-team all-state. Averaged 14.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game as the Cardinals (21-3) advanced to the 4A state quarterfinals. Has scored 992 points with one season remaining.

Player of the year — Libby Fandel, sr., Cedar Rapids Xavier

Coach of the year — Tom Lilly, Cedar Rapids Xavier

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com