The #9 ranked Mid-Prairie girls basketball team opened up regular season play by downing the West Liberty Comets 48-30 Monday night in Wellman. The Golden Hawks had a tough time in the first half with a shooting percentage hovering around the 30% mark and a big night from West Liberty Senior Kristi Feldman, Mid-Prairie led by just three at the halftime break 20-17. In the second half Mid-Prairie turned up the defensive heat forcing 13 West Liberty turnovers after the half, 22 total on the night, leading to some easy baskets and breathing room. Also key for the Golden Hawks was bench play, particularly Olivia Lugar who keyed the Hawks second half run with back to back three point goals in the third quarter. After the game Head Coach Marc Pennington spoke about the lift his team got off the bench.

“I thought it was really solid, I thought Katie got a couple of tough calls early so it was hard for her to get in the flow, but I thought Olivia was outstanding she didn’t rush her shot, she scored in the flow and was on the floor for loose balls,” Pennington said. “I thought both Courtney’s off the bench, Cayton and Shalla, both did some real positive things and Taylor Kurtz, second quarter on played much tougher. I thought our bench was really good, and if we can continue to build that and put 10, 11 kids through there that will help us add pressure and that would be great.”

On the night Mid-Prairie was paced by Mallory McArtor’s 13 points, Meghan Redlinger and Mariah Swartzentruber each had eight. Feldman led West Liberty with 21 of their 30 total points. Mid-Prairie stands at 1-0 on the young season and will next be in action when they host #10 in class 4A Washington on November 27th. You can hear both games of that girl boy doubleheader next Tuesday with pre game at 5:30 and tip off of the girls game at 6PM on AM and FM KCII and KCIIradio.com under radio plus.