Two long-time rivals take the court tonight at Tim Grady Gymnasium in Wellman when the Mid-Prairie Golden Hawks host the Williamsburg Raiders in a non-conference basketball doubleheader.
The girls contest is a battle of ranked squads. The Golden Hawks enter play with a 7-2 overall record and are unbeaten in the River Valley through five games after a 74-55 win at West Liberty Friday. The Hawks are ranked No. 13 in the latest Class 3A poll from the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union. This year, the Hawks score 63 points per game on 42% shooting, 34% from three and 55% at the line with 36 rebounds, 19 steals, 17 assists and 19 turnovers per game. Individual leaders include Morgyn Bender at 14 points per game, Jovi Evans at six boards per night, Jeorgia Evans with four steals and Katelyn Harland with four assists per night.
Williamsburg is 6-3 on the year and 3-3 in the WAMAC West after a 54-40 win over Marion. The Raiders are ranked No. 5 in Class 3A in the latest poll from the Athletic Union. This year, Williamsburg scores 51 points per game on 37% shooting, 27% from three and 61% at the line with 32 rebounds, 12 assists, 10 steals and 15 turnovers per night. Individual leaders are Zoey Allen at 10 points per game, Kylee Suhr at six boards, and Channing Becker at three steals and assists each. The Raiders have beaten the Hawks in six of the last seven including a pair of wins 35-16 and 64-49 a year ago. Golden Hawk head coach Jenny Hobbs joined the KCII Radio Coaches Corner to talk about the keys against the Raiders. “We have to play disciplined basketball. When we step on the floor, we are the more athletic team, but athletic teams only go so far. We have to be a disciplined, athletic team. Do the little things. That will help us from here on out.”
The boys contest features Mid-Prairie at 6-2 on the year, 4-1 in the RVC after a 78-61 road win at West Liberty. This year the Hawks score 59 points per game on 40% shooting, 30% from three and 60% at the line with 31 rebounds, 11 assists, nine steals and 14 turnovers per game. Individually, Bryce Henry’s 18 points and eight boards per night are best. Brooks Weber leads the Hawks with four assists and three steals per game.
Williamsburg is 1-9 on the year and winless in seven WAMAC games this year after falling to No. 1 Ballard 72-39 last time out. Williamsburg scores 49 points per game on 41% shooting, 23% from three and 54% at the line with 21 rebounds, 10 assists, five steals and 15 turnovers per game. Individual leaders are Dylan Weisskopf at 12 points per night, Griffin Becker has five rebounds per game, Grady Wetjen two steals and PJ Carey two assists. Golden Hawk head coach Daren Lambert joined the KCII Radio Coaches Corner to talk about the keys against the Raiders. “Basketball is a long season, and you don’t want things to be easy. You want the guys to learn. We have a lot of work to do. Lately, we have defended and pressured a lot better. The tempo has been better. Offensively, we have started to find a groove. This coming week, it’s a game Monday and a game Tuesday. They are all tough opponents, but we like things that are going to be difficult because we enjoy when we go out and earn that success.”
The Hawks have won three of the last four in the series including 80-65 last year. 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 Basketball Pregame Show at 6p.m., Unc N Nephs Food & Brew in Washington opening tip of the girls game at 6:30 with the boys to follow from Tim Grady Gymnasium in Wellman.