Photos: Liberty at Xavier boys’ basketball

Photos: 3A No. 1 Cedar Rapids Xavier beats Iowa City Liberty in boys’ basketball

3A top-ranked Saints win, 59-50

Savannah Blake

Jan. 3, 2023 9:24 pm, Updated: Jan. 4, 2023 11:02 am

3A No. 1 Cedar Rapids Xavier beat Iowa City Liberty 59-50 in an Iowa high school boys’ basketball game at Xavier High School on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023.

Xavier Saints center Tyler Netolicky (33) reaches up and gets control of the rebound in the first quarter of the game against Liberty at Xavier High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Liberty boys basketball Head Coach Ryan Kelly talks with Libery Lightning guard Da'Shon Fisher (24) on the court in the first quarter of the game against Xavier at Xavier High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Xavier Saints guard Thomas Sundell (11) shoots a three-pointer in the first quarter of the game against Liberty at Xavier High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Xavier Saints forward Josef Lemker (12) shoots the ball in the fourth quarter of the game against Liberty at Xavier High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Xavier basketball Head Coach Mike Freeman gives his players a high-five after defeating Liberty at Xavier High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Xavier Saints guard Aidan Yamilkoski (23) goes for a layup in the fourth quarter of the game against Liberty at Xavier High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Libery Lightning guard Trey Hughes (30) reaches out to save the loose ball in the second quarter of the game against Xavier at Xavier High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

The Xavier bench reacts as the Saints score against the Lightning in the fourth quarter of the game at Xavier High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Libery Lightning guard Da'Shon Fisher (24) jumps up and shoots the ball with pressure from Xavier in the second quarter of the game at Xavier High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Xavier Saints forward Michael Cunningham (20) guards Libery Lightning guard Da'Shon Fisher (24) as he drives the ball towards the net in the third quarter of the game at Xavier High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Xavier Saints forward Michael Cunningham (20) fouls on Libery Lightning guard Jailyn Buchanan (2) as he tries to block his shot in the third quarter of the game at Xavier High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Libery Lightning guard Shea Sanders (21) guards Xavier Saints guard Aidan Yamilkoski (23) as he dribbles the ball down the court in the first quarter of the game at Xavier High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Libery Lightning guard Jailyn Buchanan (2) guards Xavier Saints guard Thomas Sundell (11) as he dribbles the ball down the court in the first quarter of the game at Xavier High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Libery Lightning guard Da'Shon Fisher (24) watches on as Xavier Saints forward Josef Lemker (12) goes for a layup in the fourth quarter of the game at Xavier High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Xavier Saints forward Josef Lemker (12) and Xavier Saints guard Aidan Yamilkoski (23) reach up to block Libery Lightning forward Gage Kampman (11) as he shoots the ball in the third quarter of the game at Xavier High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Xavier Saints center Tyler Netolicky (33) fouls on Libery Lightning forward Gage Kampman (11) as he drives the ball towards the net in the second quarter of the game at Xavier High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Xavier Saints center Tyler Netolicky (33) reaches out to block Libery Lightning guard Da'Shon Fisher (24) as he goes for a layup in the third quarter of the game at Xavier High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)