Preseason Preview: CR Xavier

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I had the pleasure of sitting in on a practice at Cedar Rapids Xavier on Tuesday as they kick off their 2024-25 season this week. While you will see plenty of familiar faces on the court for the Saints this season, there are a few newcomers who I feel will make an immediate impact as well. Check out Part 1 of my Saints preview below!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["311363"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673417f192000"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I cannot write about Xavier without giving [player_tooltip player_id='311363' first='Libby' last='Fandel'] her flowers. The 6'1" guard looked like a veteran leader in practice on Tuesday - she was vocal, she ran the floor hard, and she made excellent decisions. In addition to her lightning-quick three point shot I was impressed with Libby's physicality finishing around the rim. If defenders didn't have enough to worry about, I think Fandel has worked on her turnaround fadeaway in the paint. I anticipate another All-Star year for Libby.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["502101"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673417f19205f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After returning from an ACL injury midway through last season [player_tooltip player_id='502101' first='Madden' last='Wilson'] will be a difference maker for her squad this year. I was really impressed with Madden's court vision on Tuesday, especially in transition and off of pick and rolls - she was threading needles left and right to lead her teammates to easy finishes. One of my favorite things about Madden is her fearlessness. She hits the boards as good as any point guard in the state, backs down to no one on the defensive end, and is the first to dive on a loose ball. I'm looking forward to seeing Madden's progress this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["885259"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673417f1920a1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If Jaselle's practice Tuesday was any indication of how her season will go, opponents had better get ready. Lang came out of the gate 4/4 on three pointers to start practice and pulled down multiple offensive rebounds in the first drill. Her confidence in her shot has blossomed so far and she has continued her consistent court vision, aggression on defense, and hustle from baseline to baseline. I predict a big-time increase in Jaselle's production this year!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":1057122,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Cayleigh O'Brien","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12125","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Xavier","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='715980' first='Team' last='Iowa']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673417f192136"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I am really looking forward to seeing Cayleigh O'Brien's progress as a sophomore this season. During conditioning drills she didn't show any fatigue and she really impressed me with how well she ran the floor. In addition her decision-making was solid, with extra passes ahead and kickouts from double-teams that led to open shots. Scoring-wise, O'Brien took good shots in the half court and even showed off a few turnaround post moves.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1057470' first='Macie' last='Herting']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'7u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12125","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Xavier","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673417f1921ba"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Despite playing limited minutes last season, [player_tooltip player_id='1057470' first='Macie' last='Herting'] carried herself with poise and showed big strides on Tuesday. What impressed me most was her instinctive defense - she had multiple tipped passes that led to steals and is not afraid to apply heavy pressure on any ball handler. On the offensive end she looked confident and comfortable on the three point line and wasn't rushed through her transition finishes. I think Herting will have an increased role this year for the Saints. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->