Aerial battle of Hawks

DONNELLSON - The Central Lee Hawks hosted the Mid-Prairie Golden Hawks Saturday in the first round of Class 3A girls basketball postseason.

Mid-Prairie has Phelan Hostetler with her shot-blocking ability (2.5 per game is fifth in 3A) and she swatted four while grabbing four rebounds and connecting on 5-of-7 field goals for 10 points. Central Lee has the state's No. 2 scorer and Mya Merschman (28.2 per game) had 19 points, 13 rebounds, three steals and four blocks.

A 10-4 Mid-Prairie lead ending the first quarter and a 17-15 lead at the half wasn't enough when the home eam had a 14-9 advantage in the third quarter and 20-15 in the fourth.

Esther Hughes led Mid-Prairie in scoring with 12 points on 4-of-6 field goals and 4-of-6 free throws. Maddie Nonnenmann scored seven. Myah Lugar contributed six rebounds and three steals while Alyssa McDowell had five boards.

The home team often has an advantage and that was 15 points on free throws with 31 attempts to 13 for the visiting Golden Hawks. The Hawks made 22 to Mid-Prairie's seven.

Mid-Prairie's season ends with a 10-12 record. Central Lee advances with a 13-8 mark.