The Mid-Prairie Golden Hawk girls basketball team opens Class 3A regional play tonight with a quarterfinal in Wellman against the Albia Lady Dees. The Golden Hawks are 16-5 this year, 12-2, runners-up in the River Valley Conference and winners of nine straight after beating No. 8 Iowa City Regina Thursday 55-54. The Hawks are ranked No. 12 in the final Class 3A poll of the year from the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union. This season, Mid-Prairie scores 58 points per game, giving up 41 on 40% shooting, 30% from three and 58% at the line with 35 boards, 17 assists, 16 steals and 16 turnovers per night. Individually, Morgyn Bender is the leader with 14 points per game. Jovi Evans has five rebounds per night, Katelyn Harland three assists and Jeorgia Evans three steals.

Albia is 11-9 this year, finishing 10-4, third in the South Central Conference. They dropped a 56-39 game to Montezuma in their regular season finale. This year, the Lady Dees score 45 points per game and give up 40 on 33% shooting, 24% from long range and 55% at the line with 34 rebounds, 11 steals, nine assists and 18 turnovers per game. Individually, Lillian DeMoss leads with 16 points and three steals per night. Aliyah Hood has three assists and Ayla Green seven rebounds per game. This week, Golden Hawk head coach Jenny Hobbs talked with KCII Sports about the keys to a deep Mid-Prairie playoff run. “We need grit, determination, and belief in each other. All those things you want to see this time of year! Trust the process!”

The Hawks have beaten Albia in their two previous playoff meetings 2016 and 2024 by an average of 37 points, including a 57-29 final in 2024. The winner of this contest advances to Wednesday’s Class 3A Regional Semifinal. 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 6:30p.m. And Unc N Nephs Food & Brew Opening Tip between the Hawks and Lady Dees at 7p.m. From Tim Grady Gymnasium in Wellman.