It’s home sweet home Friday for the Mid-Prairie Golden Hawk boys and girls basketball teams when they entertain the Wilton Beavers in a River Valley Conference doubleheader on KCII.
The Golden Hawk girls are 11-5 this season, 8-2, tied for second in the River Valley Conference. The Hawks were a Tuesday winner at Durant 51-37. Mid-Prairie is ranked No. 13 in the latest Class 3A poll from the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union. As a team, they score 57 points per game and give up 42 on 38% shooting, 31% from three and 55% at the line with 35 rebounds, 16 assists, 16 steals and 18 turnovers per game. Individually, Morgyn Bender is best at 14 points per night, Jovi Evans has five rebounds, Katelyn Harland three assists and Jeorgia Evans three steals.
Wilton is 1-14 this year, 0-9 in conference after a 56-14 loss at Alburnett Tuesday. The Beavers score 20 per night and give up 54 on 24% shooting, 15% from three and 41% at the line with 14 rebounds, five steals, two assists and 22 turnovers per game. Individually, Aliana Walker has five points per night, Leah Caffery three rebounds with an assist and Abren Bazal two steals per game. This week, Golden Hawk head coach Jenny Hobbs talked about the keys against Wilton. “(Wilton) is going to be scrappy. In conference, no team ever comes in and just lays over. The kids know each other and that gives a level of confidence. They’re going to take things away from us that we did the first time. We have to be patient, figure out where the openings are on offense, then attack. Our kids are getting so much better at reading defenses and being confident that whoever is on that night is going to be on that night.”
These two teams have split their last 12 meetings with Mid-Prairie winning 72-24 on the road in December.
The Golden Hawk boys are 10-5 this year, 7-3 in conference play after a 74-57 win at Durant Tuesday. The Hawks score 59 per game and give up 55 on 41% shooting, 32% from three and 62% at the line with 30 rebounds, 11 assists, nine steals and 13 turnovers per game. Individually, Bryce Henry is best with 18 points and seven boards per night. Brooks Weber’s three assists and steals both lead.
Wilton is also 10-5, 6-3 in the RVC after winning at Alburnett Tuesday 65-61. The Beavers score 63 each night and give up 55 on 47% shooting, 28% from three and 62% at the line with 37 rebounds, 17 assists, 13 steals and 14 turnovers per game. Individually, Bryer Putman scores 24 per night with 12 rebounds and four steals to lead. This week, Mid-Prairie head coach Daren Lambert gave his keys against Wilton. “We knew the first game with them was going to be tough. It’s always tough to win up there. They’re well coached. It was a signature win for us. Now they want to come and do that in our place. They’ve gotten better. We’ve gotten better. We just have to make sure that we stay focused with what has been working for us in the last few games. Being the team that does the hard things consistently. We know we’re going to get their best effort. It’s that time of year where everyone is trying to peak and play their best basketball. I’m pleased with our progress, especially since last Tuesday with how we’ve responded. We know that Wilton presents a challenge. They have two of the top players in the conference that are going to bring effort and energy. Things are going to be fast and physical. We’re ready for the challenge.”
These two teams have split their last 12 meetings with the Hawks getting a comeback 60-56 win before Christmas this 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 5:30p.m., Unc N Nephs Food & Brew Opening tip of the girls game at six with the boys to follow.