Cedar Rapids Xavier gets validation in another state berth

IOWA CITY - Last season's trip to the Class 3A state tournament was a high-water mark for Cedar Rapids Xavier under Coach Ryan Luehrsmann.

It was the first trip since 2006, and first time the Saints won any games in Des Moines - getting two in finishing third. After handily beating Mount Pleasant inside Iowa City West's gym on Monday night, 63-47, Luehrsmann and his Xavier players felt a certain sense of legitimacy.

The Saints weren't just a one-hit wonder, and they reminded everyone of that on the floor - with emphasis. They bounced back from a six-game losing streak in midseason, and head to Des Moines feeling like they're playing their best basketball.

'I think it validates what we've got going on at Xavier and the things we're trying to accomplish,” Luehrsmann said. 'When you sprint out to such a good start and you're 13-2, then all of a sudden you're in the meat of your schedule and play some stronger teams, we knew we would fall back a little bit. We didn't anticipate it being that bad, to be honest with you. That's high school sports, though. You're dealing with young kids, playing in a competitive conference - probably the best in the state - you're going to take your lumps here and there.

'I'm just really proud of the effort that the kids have given all year long. I'm just thrilled we're back in this position.”

Xavier got a balanced effort on offense from a group of players who collectively had to take on a much bigger role without key contributors from last year lost to graduation. Further, the Saints were without one of their best in Mitchell Burger, who was held out by coaches as a healthy scratch for the second straight game.

Junior Max Techau led Xavier with 15 points and 11 rebounds, while senior Ryan Stulken had 14 points and five rebounds. Stulken said he and many others on this team knew the task they had coming into this year, and knew their responsibility.

'All summer, I was working and a lot of our players were working to get better because we knew we had a lot to fill from last year's team,” Stulken said. 'We really meshed over the summer and we're playing really well right now.

'We're fighting back through after that cold streak.”

Stulken and Techau being such a consistent force inside is something Techau said would have to continue in Des Moines if Xavier is going to push toward a first state title. He said, 'there's a lot of teams with great big guys in the 3A field, and if we can continue our play inside, it should be great for us,” and that if it stays this way, 'I think we can beat anybody.”

And more than just inside play, the balance of their production is what Luehrsmann is most thrilled about. Burger is no guarantee to play in Des Moines. Luehrsmann said, 'It's still something we've got to figure out and discuss over the next couple of days. He's a heck of a player, heck of a kid. We've just got to wait and see on that,” after Monday's game.

Xavier needed more from more players, and that's what it got. Luehrsmann said he has no reason to believe that won't continue in Wells Fargo Arena next week.

'It's got to be a group effort. We've got to get it done by committee. We've got some leaders in Mims and Techau, and Stulken's been a terrific leader,” Luehrsmann said. 'But all the other guys are why we're in this position. Coming in and getting stops - whether it's Bryce Schulte getting critical rebounds or Nolan Butowski stepping up and hitting a critical shot. You've got to have those types of contributions up and down the roster. I'm glad we're getting that right now.”

AT IOWA CITY WEST

MOUNT PLEASANT (47): Colin Mulford 1-4 2-2 5, Pan Canby 2-2 0-0 4, Brady Sartorius 10-14, 3-3 25, Jordan Magnani 2-10, 3-4 7, Kieran Kohorst 2-6 2-3 6, Jonathan Ita 0-1 0-0 0, Dylan Bloom 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 17-37 10-12 47.

CEDAR RAPIDS XAVIER (63): Matt Mims 0-6 8-9 8, Nolan Butkowski 2-5 2-3 7, Jackson Joens 3-4 2-3 10, Ryan Stulken 6-8 2-2 14, Max Techau 7-12, 1-1 15, Bryce Schulte 3-4 0-0 6, Blake Whitten 1-1 0-0 3. Totals 22-40 15-48 63.

Halftime – Cedar Rapids Xavier 34, Mount Pleasant 23. 3-point goals – Mount Pleasant 3-13 (Mulford 1-3, Sartorius 2-3, Magnani 0-6, Ita 0-1). Xavier 4-10 (Mims 0-3, Butkowski 1-1, Joens 2-3, Stulken 0-2, Whitten 1-1). Rebounds – Xavier 25 (Techau 11), Mount Pleasant 15 (Magnani 4). Total fouls – Mount Pleasant 17, Xavier 12. Fouled out – Kohorst (Mount Pleasant). Turnovers – Mount Pleasant 10, Xavier 7.

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