Mims, Joens helping Saints shine

CEDAR RAPIDS - Xavier sophomores Matt Mims and Jackson Joens had high hopes coming into this basketball season.

The Saints' boys' basketball team ended last year by losing in the state semifinals to Dubuque Wahlert, but winning in their consolation game against Williamsburg. After losing three starting seniors from last year, Mims and Joens hoped to fill those shoes.

So far, the two - who have known each other for a few years and played on the same traveling team since seventh grade - are filling that gap. Mims averages 12.6 points per game for Xavier (9-2), Joens 9.4,

'I've known Matt since I was in fifth grade,” Joens said. 'We played on the same AAU team for two years, so we've already had chemistry playing with each other. He's really good at ball handling and he's a great player. I love him.”

Both dressed last year for the varsity team and both experienced qualifying for state.

'Our goal this year is to become the best team we possibly can,” Joens said. 'Getting to the ‘Well' last year was a great experience, and I think we could get back there this year. We have plenty of threats this year, and I think we could do some damage in 3A.”

After coming so close to making it to the championship game last season, the team hopes to go farther.

'Our goal is to win state and to hopefully have a winning season,” Mims said.

The Saints are off Tuesday, then travel to Waterloo East on Friday before hosting Muscatine on Saturday.