Xavier Boys Basketball

McDermott, Saints finish year in style

DES MOINES - The Xavier Saints finished the most successful season in school history Saturday when they topped Williamsburg, 49-38, in the consolation game for third place at the Class 3A boys state basketball tournament.

Adam McDermott popped in four 3-pointers and led the Saints with 16 points, ending his prep career as one of the most prolific players in school annals.

Xavier compiled a 2-1 record at the 2015 state tournament for its first victories at the state meet in four trips to Des Moines. The Saints set a school record for most victories with an 18-8 record and McDermott finished his career as the second-leading scorer in school history with 1,058 points.

McDermott set new school marks for most points in one season (466), most 3-pointers in a career (159) and most 3-pointers in a single season (75). Kevin Andrews (2002-06) holds the career scoring mark at Xavier with 1,199 points.

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Saints fall to Wahlert in semifinals

DES MOINES - The Late Show with the Xavier Saints had an unhappy ending Thursday night.

Dubuque Wahlert defeated the Saints, 67-54, in the semifinals of the Class 3A boys state basketball tournament in a battle of Mississippi Valley Conference teams at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

Wahlert (17-9) will play LeMars (22-4) in the championship game Saturday night, with the Golden Eagles from Dubuque seeking their second state title in a row.

Xavier (17-9) will meet Williamsburg (25-1) in the consolation game for third place Saturday afternoon at 12:05.

Thursday night's game, scheduled to begin at 8:15, did not start until 9 p.m. after LeMars beat Williamsburg in double-overtime in the other semifinal, and the game did not end until 10:30 with the Saints walking unhappily off the court.

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Saints eye Wahlert in 3A semifinals

DES MOINES - The Xavier Saints defeated Dubuque Wahlert, 78-74, in the final game of the regular season three weeks ago at Xavier.

If the Saints beat the 2014 state champions again Thursday, they'll be playing for the Class 3A state title themselves Saturday night.

Xavier (17-8) and Wahlert (16-9) clash in the 3A semifinals Thursday at 8:15 p.m. at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. Williamsburg (24-1) plays LeMars (21-4) in the other semifinal at 6:35 p.m.

The winners meet Saturday at 6:05 p.m. for the crown.

Xavier had never won a game at the boys state tournament until it held on to defeat Pella, 65-61, Tuesday night in the opening round. Now the Saints have a rematch with Wahlert in the biggest game of the year so far.

Xavier Coach Ryan Luehrsmann predicted three weeks ago that the Saints and Golden Eagles might see each other again in Des Moines. Now it's here.

"I feel great about it," Luehrsmann said Tuesday night. "That means we're in the semifinals of the Class 3A state tournament. We're really looking forward to playing them again.

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Saints top Pella for historic win

DES MOINES - Adam McDermott had a great time watching his cousin Doug McDermott help Ames High School win the state basketball title in 2010 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

Now he'd like to help Xavier High School do the same thing.

McDermott cashed 15 of 16 free throws and scored 24 points Tuesday night as the Saints held off Pella, 65-61, in the opening round of the Class 3A tournament.

It was the first victory at the boys state basketball tournament in school history for Xavier, which opened its doors in 1998 and lost in the first round here in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

Xavier (17-8) will play Dubuque Wahlert (16-9) in the semifinals Thursday night at 8:15.

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