HIGH SCHOOL JOURNALISM: Xavier girls continue winning ways

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By Daniel Vega, Xavier seniorCEDAR RAPIDS - After working hard during the off season, the defending Class 4A girls' basketball champions are off to another winning start.Xavier won its first three games against Decorah, Johnston and Waterloo East.“We worked hard all off season,” senior Hayley Deutmeyer said. “We had open gyms in the morning and conditioning after school. We all worked really hard because we want this season to end like last season.”The third-ranked Saints opened play against Decorah on Nov. 26, winning 55-39. They were lead by Deutmeyer and junior Lizzy Bailey with 11 points apiece. Eight of the 15 girls scored for the team.“This win showed us how referees were going to call the games this year due to the new fouling system,” Deutmeyer said. “It showed us what we need to work on. It always is a great feeling to start the season off with a win. It sets up the rest of the season and we know we can only get better.”On Nov. 30, the team traveled to Johnston and nipped the Dragons, 48-44, in overtime. The team was led by the big three - Deutmeyer, senior Maddie Bertsch and junior Morgan Breitbach. Breitbach had 16 points, Deutmeyer 15 and Bertsch added 10.“It's a new team and there's new chemistry,” senior Abby Watson said. “We're trying to figure out what works best for our team.”The team took the floor again on Tuesday, beating Waterloo East, 57-14, in Waterloo.The Saints host City High tonight at 7:30.