Photo Courtesy of MP Sports Social Media (Nicole Miller)

The Mid-Prairie Golden Hawk girls basketball team opens the 2024 portion of their schedule this evening with a contest against Maquoketa as part of the annual River Valley Conference Shootout. The event pits one team from the north division of the conference against a team from the south division with all games played this season at Maquoketa High School. The Golden Hawk girls come in with a 6-3 overall record. They have been off since a 72-29 loss at No. 1 in 3A Solon December 21st. On the season the Hawks average 58 points per game and give up 48, shooting 42% from the field, 30% from three and 51% at the line with 38 rebounds, 14 assists, 12 steals and 19 turnovers per game. Individual leaders include, Callie Huber with 12 points and 10 rebounds per night. Nora Pennington with four steals per game and Jovi Evans at four assists per outing. The Hawks rank in the top 10 of Class 3A in 10 different team and indvidual categories.

The Maquoketa Cardinals are 9-2 this season and perfect in the River Valley North Division. They are ranked No. 13 in the latest Class 4A poll from the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union. They were last in action Tuesday when they took down No. 8 Central DeWitt 62-52. On the year the Cardinals score 68 points per game and give up 49, shooting 38% from the floor, 31% from long range and 67% at the stripe with 32 rebounds, 13 assists, 16 steals and 16 turnovers per game. Individual leaders include, Cora Widel at 17 points and six rebounds per game. Reese Kuhlman averages four assists and Maelyn Kluever four steals per night. Maquoketa ranks in the top 10 of 4A in eight different team and individual categories.

This is the first all-time meeting between the two schools. Other games that will be part of the girls conference shoot out include Bellevue against North Cedar, Camanche against West Liberty, Dyersville-Beckman against Durant, Northeast against West Branch, and Cascade against Tipton. Action between the Hawks and Cardinals is set for tonight at 6:30 at Maquoketa High School.