WELLMAN

Mid-Prairie turned loose its speed and smothering defense Monday night in a preseason jamboree.

The Golden Hawks scored the first 11 points of the second quarter in an eventual 39-11 win against Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont. The defensive pressure was so rough on EBF that one sequence featured a Mid-Prairie basket followed by an immediate steal and a layup for another two points, all in just a few seconds.

Senior guard Brady Weber scored a game-high 11 points for the Golden Hawks, but really this was about defensive pressure and turnovers, and exactly how they want to play this season.

“We played with a great pace and I really want to turn the tempo up,” head coach Daren Lambert said.

“After those first couple of possessions, really in that second quarter,” he said, “we were flying up and down.”

When Mid-Prairie opens its season next Tuesday at Benton Community, they’ll do so with a team that features four returning starters, including Weber and senior teammates Ace Peck and Conner Wiles. Joining them is Bryce Henry, who started 16 games as a sophomore and led the Golden Hawks in scoring.

“I think everyone’s just taking a step forward,” Lambert said. “A lot of guys saw time last year so you know who your leaders are.”

And then there’s the football thing. The team is loaded with a group of football players who are coming off a season in which the Golden Hawks won their first district championship in 16 years and reached the quarterfinal round of the Class 2A state playoffs. Among them are Hudson Ehrenfelt, an All-State running back, and Landon Kos, a lineman who will join Wiles, another football player, in Mid-Prairie’s post. Brady was the starting quarterback, Peck was a receiver and Ehrenfelt was one of the top running backs in the state.

Weber led Mid-Prairie in assists (125), rebounds (108) and steals (48) last year. Among those coming off the bench will be his younger brother, Brooks, who was Brady’s backup at quarterback, and also Kaden Kos, a junior All-State linebacker.

Wiles and Landon Kos will give the Golden Hawks a strong inside presence, and Peck adds a piece to the offensive side. Peck hit more than 40% of his 3-point shots last season, a threat in itself, but in Monday’s game Peck showed that he is just as effective giving up the 3-pointer and driving toward the hoop.

“He’s going to be a tough one to guard,” Lambert said.

After opening the season Tuesday at Benton, the Golden Hawks host Camanche in a River Valley crossover game Dec. 6.

SCOUTING THE GOLDEN HAWKS

2023-24 record: 12-10

Head coach: Daren Lambert

Returning starters: G Brady Weber, G Bryce Henry, F Ace Peck, F Connor Wiles.

In the Paint: C Landon Kos

Off the bench: G Brooks Weber, F Kaden Kos, F/G Hudson Ehrenfelt.

Season opener: Dec. 3, at Benton Community

Home opener: Dec. 6 vs. Camanche

River Valley South opener: Dec. 13, at West Branch.