Friday was a good night to be a Mid-Prairie Golden Hawk, as the boys and girls basketball programs traveled to West Liberty for a River Valley Conference doubleheader, and returned with two wins over the Comets. The No. 13 in Class 3A Golden Hawk girls started the night getting a 74-55 victory. Mid-Prairie won each quarter, up 17-13 after one and 32-26 at half. Up eight going to the fourth, the Hawks got breathing room as they exploded for a 25 point final frame to ice the contest. Mid-Prairie won turnovers 21-17, rebounding by nine, and hit 12 threes en route to the win. Brooklyn Schneider led the Hawks with 20 points, including six made threes. Morgyn Bender added 17 points with three threes, Tessa Bombei had a 12 point, 11 rebound double double and Katelyn Harland knocked down three threes. West Liberty got 30 points from Kylee Daufeldt in the loss. The Golden Hawks remain on top of the conference at 5-0 and stand at 7-2 overall while West Liberty drops to 2-8 on the year.

The boys game was a 78-61 Golden Hawk win. Mid-Prairie made their move in the first half, using a 16-3 run to take a lead at 22-13 after one and 38-27 at half. Out of the break, Mid-Prairie scored 10 of the first 12 to build their lead and the Hawks were not challenged the rest of the night. The Golden Hawks were keyed by senior Bryce Henry who put up 38 points, including 20 in the first half, and eight total made threes in the game. He spoke on the KCII Postgame Show about his night and the team’s win. “Definitely the three point (shot was working tonight). I kept shooting them, and they kept falling. I think I feel it offensively with how the defensive is guarding me. Tonight they weren’t guarding me that hard, so I was just letting it fly. When teams start paying attention to me, then lots of guys can get open looks. Tonight’s a night where right when it left my fingers I knew it was going in. This is really fun, seeing all of the guys celebrating. (This win) was huge. We have had a rough last few games. It was nice to come out here and get business done. We have been working really hard it practice because we’re pretty ticked off about what’s happened (the last week). I love that shots were falling tonight!”

Three other Hawks joined him in double figures including Brooks Weber with 12 points and eight assists, Carson Humphrey scored 11 and Kale Miller 10. Devin Mericle led West Liberty with 15. The win for Mid-Prairie comes after back-to-back losses and moves them to 6-2 on the year and 4-1 in conference while West Liberty tumbles to 2-6 overall and 2-3 in the league. The Golden Hawk boys and girls are back on the floor Monday when they host Williamsburg.