WATERLOO - His program's court is now partially named in his honor, celebrating a storied coaching career.

And, fittingly, Steve McGraw's squad produced a second-half performance that featured the coach's calling cards - namely, pressure defense and run-and-gun offense.

The result was a 70-59 win over Cedar Rapids Xavier that, at least late, seemed worthy of a scrapbook.

On a Friday in which East's playing-surface was honorarily named Wier-McGraw Court in honor of both the current coach and former East sideline-general Murray Wier, the Trojans used an inspired late-game effort, while inducing 25 Saints turnovers.

"We wanted to get it pretty bad. We wanted to be part of history," said East junior Jaron Nash, whose 15-point effort trailed only that of Trice Scott (22) in the hosts' scorebook.

McGraw, a Simpson College graduate, took the helm of the Trojan program in 1979, and eventually propelled East to 13 state tournament appearances and state titles in both 1990 and 2003. He has 561 wins in 36 total years of coaching.

"It's a wonderful place to coach and be at," McGraw said of East in a pregame ceremony.

"And down here, at the end-(line), is what this is all about - kids," McGraw added, nodding toward his current Trojan players.

Wier, a former collegiate star at Iowa, coached at East for 24 years. Starting in 1952, his tenure with the Trojans produced 372 wins, including the 1974 state championship.

Wier, who turned 80 this year, was unable to attend Friday's festivities due to health issues. However, in a phone interview earlier in the evening with The Courier, the current Georgetown, Texas, resident said the evening's ceremony "is definitely an honor."

The former Trojan coach, who preached stiffling man-to-man defense, would've been proud of what the East High crowd witnessed in the final 16 minutes in this contest, as the hosts put the clamps down.

Unfortunately for the Trojans, the visitors weren't in a celebratory mood at Friday's outset, drilling several 3-pointers while running out to a quick, 17-3 lead.

East (7-0), which entered the weekend as one of just six remaining unbeatens in Class 4A, eventually awoke from its slumber in time to answer with an 18-8 run, helping it inch within five, 29-24, by halftime.

East answered with runs of 10-2 and 11-1 in the first nine minutes of the second half, as Xavier crumbled in the face of stifling, full-court pressure.

"We played harder, and we went inside with the ball," said McGraw, explaining East's turnaround.

Aside from the 17 points and five 3-pointers from Saints guard Jon Keller, the visitors saw few highlights as Friday wore on.

So, after some early jitters, the Trojans walked off their newly named court in jubilant fashion.

As the game wore on and the Trojans began to wear in their newly christened court, they sent the Saints a message. And, so did Wier, who expects to hear similar news about his old team as the season heats up.

"McGraw," said Wier, "has a system in play that's effective - so keep it up."

Contact Kelly Beaton at (319) 291-1456 or kelly.beaton@wcfcourier.com

C.R. XAVIER (59) - Brent Warren 1-5 6-8 8, Jordan Harrelson 5-13 2-4 12, Kyle Jacoby 2-2 0-0 5, Nathan Joens 2-4 1-2 7, Dan Schmall 1-5 1-2 3, Jon Keller 6-8 0-1 17, Chase Cooling 1-3 3-4 5, Jay Petersen 1-1 0-0 2, David Luken 0-0 0-2 0. Totals 19-41 13-23 59.

EAST (70) - Trice Scott 4-9 14-21 22, Zac Clark 1-4 0-2 2, Corey Turner 0-1 0-0 0, DeJoni Norris 1-4 0-0 2, Jaron Nash 5-14 5-6 15, Kjay Jackson 3-6 0-2 6, Quinton VanArsdale 1-3 1-2 3, Devin Hoskins 6-8 1-2 13, Darius Washington 1-1 0-0 2, Cotrell Smith 2-4 1-4 5, Cody Smith 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 24-55 22-39 70.

C.R. Xavier 17 12 10 20 - 59

East 3 21 22 24 - 70

3-point goals - C.R. Xavier 8 (J. Keller 5); East 0. Total fouls - C.R. Xavier 22, East 20. Fouled out - Jacoby, Luken (Xavier).

EAST SOPHS 67, C.R. XAVIER SOPHS 63

XAVIER - Ryan Sawyer 8, Nolan Dunkirk 10, Joe Sayre 6, Mitch Valentine 17, Ike Hasley 8, Jake Ratz 3, Pat Fagan 11.

EAST - Tevin Brown 18, Dajour Sawyers 9, Jerrone Mabry 2, Joel Riley 19, Alex Holmes 12, Nick Schulte 2, Dayshone Outlaw 3, Jarrid Talbert 1, DeVonte Jenkins 1.