A road sweep of Durant Friday sent the Mid-Prairie girls and boys basketball teams happily into the holiday break undefeated. The Mid-Prairie girls needed some late heroics to score a 52-49 win. The contest was tight all the way, with the Hawks down 12-10 after one and 22-20 at half. Mid-Prairie pulled within 35-34 going to the fourth, but watched the Wildcats push ahead by five with under 15 seconds left. That’s when the Mid-Prairie magic started. Izzy Kite flew down the floor and hit a three, two point game. A Golden Hawk foul and a Wildcat split at the line left it a three point game at nine seconds to go. Off the miss, the Hawks hustled to the front court again where Kite drilled another three, seemingly as time expired, to tie the game. The officials confirmed a Durant timeout after the made basket, putting two seconds back on the clock. The Wildcats would throw a length of the court pass and miss everyone, turning it over and giving the Hawks a look under their own basket, and Mid-Prairie didn’t miss. The ball came in bounds to Morgyn Bender who launched a dagger at the buzzer from the volleyball line to beat Durant and the Golden Hawks celebrated with a pile near mid-court. After the game, the Golden Hawk heroes, Bender and Kite joined the KCII postgame show to talk about the final moments.

Bender said, “I knew that if I got the ball, I had to let it go right away. I didn’t think it was going in until it hit the rim. Then I knew it had a chance. I was just so excited and so happy that we won. I knew I could not handle losing to them again like we did last year.”

Kite said, “I know we need the shot and I want the shot. I just trust my instincts. It just feels really good to do that for my team. In these tough games, you can tell we really come together and play for each other. My teammates found for me for great shots. (Close games) are my favorite time to play. It really shows what kind of team you are. We get hyped, because there aren’t many games like this!”

The Hawks won the boards 42-38, turnovers 32-26, had 17 steals and 10 assists. Callie Huber got to work with a double double to lead the Golden Hawks piling up 13 points and 17 rebounds. Adison Daufelt and Katelyn Toft had 15 points each to lead Durant. The Hawks are 6-0 at break and a perfect 3-0 in conference. Durant falls to 3-4 on the year.

The boys game was a workman-like performance for the Golden Hawks, posting a 66-39 win. Offenses were hot early as Mid-Prairie led 18-17 after one. But the Golden Hawk defense cooled off the Wildcats, allowing just 22 total points the rest of the night. The Hawks led 40-26 at half and 59-36 after three. Mid-Prairie won the glass by 11 and turnovers 17-8. The Hawks were led by Bryce Henry, who stayed hot, with a game high 23 points, his fourth straight contest with 20 or more. Brady Weber added 13. Durant got 16 from Conner Schwarz. Following the contest, the Golden Hawk of the Game, Conner Wiles, joined the KCII postgame show to talk about the team’s toughness and mentality on defense.

Wiles said, “We get great looks on offense from turnovers. We have to play fast and physical, move our feet, not let them get to the rim. Not allow any second chances. I’m trying to get the rebound, get the ball out to the guards and push it quick. Guys like Hudson (Ehrenfelt) and Kaden (Kos) are athletic on the ball and get steals for us for good looks at the rim.”

The Golden Hawk boys are now 6-0 on the year and 3-0 in the RVC, Durant is 2-5. Both Mid-Prairie teams are back on the court January 3^rd in West Liberty.