Xavier’s Winker excited about future

CEDAR RAPIDS - With the leaves falling off trees, temperatures dropping to frigid levels and snow swirling, a transition phase has begun around the state of Iowa.

Fall sports have ended and winter sports are here.

While Cedar Rapids Xavier senior Calvin Winker has no control over the change of climate, his performance on the basketball court has allowed him to control his own destiny as he prepares for the transition from high school to college athletics.

On Oct. 28, Winker committed to Missouri Western University to play basketball for the Griffons. He signed his letter Nov. 12.

He is extremely excited for the opportunity to continue his career beyond high school.

'The coaches and players are great and the facilities are incredible,” Winker said. 'The Kansas City Chiefs built a huge indoor football dome with training and workout buildings for Missouri Western athletes to use. My sister is also less than two hours away from there, so she will be able to come to all my games.”

Winker was Xavier's second leading scorer last season, averaging 13 points and five rebounds per game. Listed at 6-foot-5, he primarily plays the forward position. His ability to play in the post and beyond the arc has been a key component to the Saints' success over the last few seasons under Coach Ryan Luehrsmann. After a disappointing loss to Dubuque Wahlert last winter in the substate final, Winker and University of North Dakota signee Adam McDermott are hungry for revenge.

'We were eight points short from state last year, and nothing is going to stop us,” Winker said. 'Wells Fargo is our goal this year, and we will do everything we can to get there.”

Upending the state champion Golden Eagles from Dubuque Wahlert will be no easy task. With 6-foot-7 forward Cordell Pemsl returning for his junior season, the Saints will have their hands full. Pemsl committed to the University of Iowa for basketball last spring.

Along with Winker and McDermott, junior guard Mitchell Burger looks to continue being a valuable asset for the team this season. New teammate and senior Michael Mims also will be a key component in the backcourt, averaging 13.7 points per game last season.

If the Saints are able to develop consistent team chemistry and unselfish play, the dream of playing at Wells Fargo Arena could become a reality.