Katie Werner has been the workhorse for Phoenix Xavier Prep’s basketball team this season, and she was again on Wednesday night (Feb. 13) when the Gators played host to Anthem Boulder Creek in a Division I first-round game.

Werner, a senior forward, led Xavier with a 24-point, 13-rebound “double-double’’ as Xavier picked up a 47-35 victory.

Xavier, seeded No. 13, advances to the second round and will play at fourth-seeded Avondale Westview on Friday night (Feb. 15). Boulder Creek, the 20^th seed, finished 18-11.

Just as she has all season, Werner seemingly hustled after every loose ball, hit the boards and played solid defense.

“We weren’t expecting calls (from the officials), but we worked hard for them,’’ Werner said. “We tried to play like we have all season – if we crash the boards, it will give us a lot more possessions.’’

Junior post player McKenna Renfro only scored 1 point, but made a major contribution on the glass, getting 11. And senior guard Ashley Orozco scored 11 points and grabbed seven rebounds. One of her baskets was a 3-pointer.

“Tonight, it was all about the team,’’ Werner said.

Werner was allowed to wear a pair of green shoes she uses in club ball, and after her effort on Wednesday night, she expects to break them out again against Westview.

Xavier had faced Boulder Creek twice during the regular season, winning by 8 and 4 points.

Xavier coach Chantel Vinson had the sense that her team probably would meet Boulder Creek in the first round so she provided her players with a thorough scouting report.

One of the keys to Wednesday night’s win was that the Gators had a strong third quarter, with a 14-5 scoring edge. Vinson said the Gators had struggled in the first and third quarters of games a lot this season and trailed 6-5 after the first quarter in this one.

Boulder Creek struggled when 6-foot-3 senior post Sam Young got into foul trouble.

“We were able to exploit that,’’ Werner said.

Young finished with 12 points and sophomore guard Darian Slaga had 10 points for the Jaguars. Slaga had missed 12 games this season with a broken ankle, according to coach Josiah McDaniel.

After the game, Vinson said she would be “up all night, watching film,’’ trying to figure out what to do about Westview and its quick, trapping defense.

Orozco and her backcourt teammates can handle the ball, and Werner can come out to help if necessary.