The Mid-Prairie Golden Hawk girls basketball team advanced past Central Lee in the first round of class 3A regional play Tuesday with a 50-34 win in Donnellson. Central Lee led the defensive battle 7-4 after the first quarter. Things were tight most of the way through the second until Mid-Prairie showed a full court press and ended the first half on a 10-2 run, taking a 21-13 lead into the locker room. In the second half Mid-Prairie continued to apply defensive pressure In the half court causing deflections and turnovers. The Golden Hawks would stretch the lead to 11 during the third quarter but Central Lee made a push to pull within five.

In the fourth quarter Mid-Prairie continued their solid defense and hit free throws down the stretch to take the win. The Golden Hawks, who have struggled at the line all season, ranking in the bottom five in class 3A for free throw percentage, hit nine of 10 from the stripe to put the game out of reach. In the win the Golden Hawks were led by 13 points from Alex Rath, Courtney Shalla had 10. Mid-Prairie is now 11-9 and will take on #4 Mediapolis at MEPO in the regional semifinals tonight.