WELLMAN

Mid-Prairie’s win streak in girls basketball this season was historic.

In winning their first seven games, the Golden Hawks had accomplished something even the 20-win team of 2006-07 couldn’t do.

The streak included a three-point win over Durant when sophomore forward Morgyn Bender hit a game-winning shot as the buzzer sounded, an overtime win last week over River South rival West Liberty and a crushing 61-point win over Wilton.

The Golden Hawks emerged as the 15th-ranked team in Class 3A.

Last Saturday, the defending state champion, Solon, put an end to it. The Spartans, led by Delainey Durr’s 20-point game and a pressure defense, knocked off Mid-Prairie, 79-58.

Solon, which graduated four seniors from its starting lineup a year ago and had lost four of seven games to start the season this year, struck early and often against the Golden Hawks. Solon cruised to a 10-point lead in the opening quarter and was up by 26 points entering the final quarter.

Mid-Prairie post players Callie Huber and Brylee Gearhart combined for 14 points and 17 rebounds, but Solon slowed down the Golden Hawks’ outside shooting and transition game. The Golden Hawks were forced into 26 turnovers, nearly double the amount of Solon. Leitz, Solon’s only returning starter, had a game-high 11 steals.

The Golden Hawks made nearly 50 percent of their shots (21-of-43), but had 17 fewer shots than Solon and 17 fewer shots than they took the previous night in a win against West Liberty.

Jeorgia Evans, a freshman guard, led Mid-Prairie with 14 points.

All five Solon starters reached double figures in scoring, led by Durr.

Mid-Prairie plays at Alburnett on Thursday and at seventh-ranked Williamsburg next Monday.

Mid-Prairie 66,

West Liberty 58

Brooklyn Schneider scored a career-high 23 points and hit a key 3-pointer in overtime as the Golden Hawks defeated River Valley South rival West Liberty on January 3.

The Golden Hawks outscored the Comets 14-6 in the overtime to win their seventh straight game overall and fourth straight in conference play. Mid-Prairie and Iowa City Regina are the only remaining unbeaten teams in the River Valley South.

Trailing 52-50 in the final minute of regulation, freshman guard Jeorgia Evans drilled two free throws to force the overtime period.

Schneider hit a 3-pointer to give the Golden Hawks a five-point edge halfway through the overtime. Late in the period, Evans stole the ball and converted a layup to put Mid-Prairie up by six.

The victory was the fourth straight for the Golden Hawks against West Liberty.

Schneider hit a game-high six 3-pointers, and also had a game-high 5 steals and a game-high 5 free throws.

Senior forward Brylee Gearhart, who started in place of injured forward Callie Huber, scored a double-double with a career-high 18 points and 12 rebounds.

Kylee Daufeldt, a West Liberty freshman, led the Comets with 22 points and 8 rebounds.

GAME STATS

SOLON 79, MID-PRAIRIE 58

Solon             26   22   18   13   -- 79

Mid-Prairie   16   11   13   18  --  58

Solon scoring: Delainey Durr 20, Quinn Amentrout 14, Kobi Lietz 11, Jerzey Haluska 11, Beckett Kruse 11, Laini Hinkle 9, Laney Johnson 3.

Mid-Prairie scoring: Jeorgia Evans 14, Callie Huber 12, Brylee Gearhart 12, Tessa Bombei 6, Morgyn Bender 6, Katelyn Harland 5, Olivia Swartzendruber 2, Myli Hershberger 1.

Solon leading rebounders: Lietz 7, Kruse 7.

Mid-Prairie leading rebounders: Gearhart 9, Huber 8.

MID-PRAIRIE 66, WEST LIBERTY 58

Mid-Prairie     12    7    20   13   14  --  66

West Liberty    8   15   16   13     6   -- 58

Mid-Prairie scoring: Brooklyn Schneider 23, Brylee Gearhart 18, Izzy Hite 9, Morgyn Bender 7, Katelyn Harland 5, Jeorgia Evans 4.

West Liberty scoring: Kylee Daufeldt 22, Pearson Hall 21, Sully Hall 8, Mallory Wulf 5, Porter Maurer 2.

Mid-Prairie leading rebounder: Gearhart 12.

West Liberty leading rebounder: Hall 9.