The Mid-Prairie Golden Hawk boys basketball team meets a ranked opponent in tonight’s Class 2A District 9 championship game at Mount Pleasant when they battle West Burlington. The Golden Hawk boys are 18-4 this year, 10-2, second in the River Valley Conference South Division. They were winners in their playoff opener last week at home against Mediapolis 58-40 with 16 points each from Brady Weber and Bryce Henry. This year, the Hawks score 67 per game and give up 54 on 44% shooting, 35% from three and 71% at the line with 32 rebounds, 14 assists, 13 turnovers and eight steals per game. Individually, Bryce Henry leads with 21 points per night. He is tied with Conner Wiles at five boards per game. Brady Weber goes for four assists and two steals per night.
West Burlington is 20-2, 13-1 champions of the Southeast Iowa Superconference. They beat Central Lee Thursday to advance 75-57. The Falcons are ranked No. 10 in Class 2A in the final poll of the year from the Iowa High School Athletic Association. West Burlington scores 78 per game and gives up 53, shooting 54% from the floor, 36% from three and 65% at the line with 30 rebounds, 17 assists, and nine steals and turnovers per game. Individually, Mason Watkins leads the Falcons and 2A at 30 points per game to go with six assists and two steals. Ayden Figuerero leads with nine rebounds. This week, Golden Hawk head coach Daren Lambert talked with KCII Sports about his team’s keys in the postseason.
Lambert said, “It’s a broken record. It’s taking care of the basketball. It’s defending. It’s rebounding. Playing with the collective mindset of all being on the same page. Knowing that there’s going to be moments that you have to respond to and stepping up to those challenges. I really like where we’re at (after the win over Mediapolis), and moving forward. That will bring tempo and energy to practice as we get ready for Tuesday.”
This is Mid-Prairie 35th district championship game appearance, winning 19 times. Their most recent a 2022 victory over West Burlington. You can hear all of the action live tonight on AM 1380, FM 102.5, the KCII2 App and KCIIradio.com, beginning with the Golden Hawk Playoff Pregame Show at 6:30 and tip between the Hawks and Falcons at 7p.m. From Mount Pleasant High School.