The Mid-Prairie Golden Hawk girls and boys basketball teams close out their pre-Christmas slates tonight with a trip to Durant for a River Valley Conference doubleheader. The Golden Hawk girls are an unbeaten 5-0 this season, 3-0 in the River Valley, after crushing Wilton at home Tuesday 92-31, behind a 14 point, 11 rebound double double from Brylee Gearhart, one of five Hawks in double figures. Mid-Prairie is ranked No. 15 in Class 3A in this week’s poll from the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union. On the season, the Hawks score 68 points per game and give up 33, shooting 40% from the floor, 26% from three and 67% at the line, with 42 rebounds, 23 steals, 18 assists and 18 turnovers per game. Individually, Callie Huber leads with 13 points and nine boards per night, Jeorgia Evans has five steals and Katelyn Harland three assists.
Durant is 2-3 overall, 0-1 in conference after a 43-36 loss Tuesday at Tipton. This year the Wildcats score 41 and give up 39 per night, shooting 30% from the floor, 13% from three and 47% at the line with 29 rebounds, 11 steals, nine assists and 20 turnovers per game. Individually, Allison Toft goes for 10 points per night, Katelyn Toft eight rebounds and Paige Happ three steals and three assists. Mid-Prairie has won 24 of the last 33 in the series, and eight of nine, with the teams splitting a season ago. Tuesday, after beating Wilton, head coach Danny Hershberger talked on the KCII Postgame Show about his team’s early season performance.
Hershberger said, “I thought our whole team has played with a lot of confidence. We know we’re good shooters and to see it come to fruition (in the Wilton game), is another huge confidence boost for our girls going forward. I thought we have done a good job of offensive rebounding, getting second chance opportunities. I’m happy with the way we have rebounded the ball. We want to play defense putting pressure on the other team and forcing them into turnovers, but it’s also been key for us to take care of the ball and limit our turnovers. If we continue to do that I really like the things we can do going forward.”
The Golden Hawk boys are also unbeaten at 5-0 after handling Wilton at home Tuesday 75-56 as Bryce Henry poured in 26 points. This season the Hawks score 73 per night and give up 46, shooting 45% from the field, 36% from deep and 72% at the line with 37 rebounds, 16 assists, 10 steals and 14 turnovers per game. Individually, Henry’s 22 points are best, as are Conner Wiles six boards and Brady Weber’s five assists and two steals.
Durant is 1-4 this year, 0-1 in conference after a 57-34 set back at Tipton Tuesday, where Race Starr led the way with 15 points. On the season the Wildcats go for 41 points per night and give up 54, shooting 33% from the floor, 16% from three and 53% at the line with 30 rebounds, seven steals, six assists and 18 turnovers per game. Individually, Conner Schwarz scores 12 per night and has two steals to lead, Brady Daufeldt averages six rebounds and Starr two assists. Following the win over Wilton, Golden Hawk head coach Daren Lambert joined the KCII Postgame Show to break down his team’s early season success.
Lambert said, “We have put an emphasis on defending extremely well. With the guys that we have that can score, if you hold down the other team, that’s going to put you in a good situation. Proud of the way the guys have defended and their rebounding. On offense, we have been able to push in transition and we have been efficient in the half court game. A lot has been thrown at us with injuries and everyone has stepped up and done a little bit more. It’s elevating everyone’s game right now. I’m excited with how they have responded.”
The Hawks are 85-37 all-time against Durant, including taking the last nine-in-a-row. You can hear all of the action tonight between the Golden Hawks and Wildcats live on AM 1380, FM 102.5, the KCII2 App and KCIIradio.com, beginning with the Golden Hawk Basketball Pregame Show at 6p.m. Unc N Nephs Food & Brew tip of the girls game at 6:30, with the boys to follow.