WELLMAN

When Mid-Prairie’s girls basketball team begins its season Tuesday at Fairfield, the speed is likely to be cranked up.

But exactly how fast?

Jovi Evans, a returning starter, is one of the fastest runners in the state, having reached the Class 2A track finals in both the 200 and 100 last spring.

Her sister, Jeorgia, a freshman, may be even faster.

Katelyn Harland, a sophomore and returning starter at guard, and Brooklyn Schneider, who started 16 games last year as a freshman, will play key roles in driving that speedy backcourt, along with sophomore Olivia Swartzendruber.

All that speed is backed up by a monstrous setup in the paint. Callie Huber, a 6-foot senior, powerfully emerged as the best post player in the River Valley South last year, ranking number one in rebounds with 197. Brylee Gearhart, a 6-1 senior, came off the bench to rank third in blocks with 26 despite starting just six games. She has grown an inch.

Both post players played key roles in the volleyball team’s run to a Top 8 state ranking, as did Jovi and Jeorgia Evans, and Harland.

The Golden Hawks won 11 games last year, and had an 11-11 season ended in a 53-33 regional loss to Chariton.

Mid-Prairie returns three of its top four scorers from a year ago, including Huber, who led the team in points and rebounds. The Golden Hawks lost just one player: 2024 graduate Nora Pennington.

A 3-point game is boosted by Schneider and Morgyn Bender, who were the Golden Hawks’ top 3-point shooters as freshmen.

A run toward River Valley South contention will include a pair of clashes with Iowa City Regina, which swept through conference play unbeaten last year and features the conference’s best player in senior Morgan Miller. She led the River Valley South in points, assists and steals last year.

After facing state quarterfinalist Benton Community on Dec. 3, the Golden Hawks will host Camanche in their home opener Dec. 6.

The River Valley South season opens a week later, Dec. 13, at West Branch.

SCOUTING THE GOLDEN HAWKS

2023-24 record: 11-11

Head coach: Danny Hershberger

Returning starters: C Callie Huber, G Jovi Evans, G Katelyn Harland, G Brooklyn Schneider.

Off the bench: C Brylee Gearhart, G Olivia Swartzendruber, F Morgyn Bender.

Incoming freshmen: G Jeorgia Evans, F Tessa Bombei.

Season opener: Nov. 26, at Fairfield.

Home opener: Dec. 6 vs. Camanche.

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