The Mid-Prairie girls basketball team opened up practice last Monday, coming off of a 2015-2016 season that saw them elevate the program.
Mid-Prairie ended the previous year qualifying for the state tournament for the first time since 2013, at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines in the state quarterfinals. Graduating from last year’s team were seniors Alex Rath, Emily Cayton and Allyson Wertz. Rath was a first team All-River Valley Conference south division selection, the team’s third leading scorer, and assist leader. Cayton was the team leader in steals and third in rebounding. Wertz was one of Mid-Prairie’s most reliable three point weapons a season ago.
Returning for the Hawks are first team All-River Valley Conference south division selection Ali Butters, who finished as last year’s leading scorer and seventh in the conference at 12 points per game. Also back is honorable mention All-Conference selection Addison Rath, Mid-Prairie’s leading rebounder with 121, and second leading scorer at 11 points per game. Those two will be joined by a veteran cast including Ireland Hostetler, Shae Becker, Anna Vilovchik, Kessa Jones, and Delaney Smith who all contributed last season.
The Golden Hawks open the season Tuesday, November 22nd at Fairfield.