Expecting a defensive battle and we got one, Ballard proved to be just a tad too much for Pella High on Saturday night, winning 48 – 42 in the Class 4A girls’ regional semifinals. Neither team grabbed control until the third quarter, when back-to-back three pointers by Meredith Ossian pushed the Bombers’ lead to seven. The Lady Dutch would get back to within five, but not any closer. Coach Jerod Garland says the plan was to blanket Doud, which, for the most part, he felt his girls did a good job of. Both Mackenzie Gustafson and Katie Vander Molen scored 15 points for Pella, who end their season 16 – 7 and only lose Jackie Sunderman to graduation. Back in the Tulip City, Pella High’s boys get to host both Class 3A semifinal games out of their district. This evening, they’ll take on Washington, with the winner to play either Grinnell or Williamsburg in the district finals on Thursday. Coach Mark Core is expecting an intense contest. Tonight’s game can be heard live on 92.1 KRLS and streamed live at KNIAKRLS.com with Cory Houser and Randy Sikkema on the call. Pregame coverage will start at around 7:30 p.m. with tip-off at 8:00.