Norwalk basketball split their first doubleheader of the season vs. Ballard on Tuesday, with the girls team winning 70-34 and the boys falling 51-57. Both games were broadcast live on 94.3 KNIA

Girls Basketball

The #3 in Class 4A Norwalk girls basketball team defeated Ballard in a landslide 70-34 victory. The Warriors began with a 16-4 first quarter and didn’t look back. Sophomore and state scoring leader, Braylyn Birmingham, led the way for Norwalk’s scoring with 25 points, her lowest total of the season’s first three games. Birmingham scored 13 points in the second quarter and 12 in the fourth and also recorded five rebounds. Birmingham tells KNIA Sports she already has her mind set on Friday’s game.

“Pella’s always a hard place to play, but I’m confident in us and our team that we can get it done.”

Also scoring in double figures were seniors Ava Carlson with 14 and Hannah Overholser with 10. Ballard didn’t have a player score more than six points in the contest. Norwalk moves to 3-0 heading into conference play on Friday in Pella.

Boys Basketball

The Norwalk boys basketball team dropped a close game to Ballard for the second year in a row, this time losing 51-57. The game saw several lead changes until Ballard pulled away in the last minute, ultimately winning the late free-throw game and getting two important defensive stops to secure the victory. Ballard had three players score in double figures and were led by Parker Miller’s 20 points, 10 of which came in the contested fourth quarter. Norwalk head coach Aaron Pelzer tells KNIA Sports there was much to be proud of despite the loss.

“Really proud of the fight, proud of the togetherness that we showed tonight. It was the first game for any of those guys to, probably, play more than 15 varsity minutes.”

The Warriors were led in scoring by junior Tillman Papcun, who had 15 points. Following him was Jameson Demaray with 13 points, all coming in the second half. James Hatlevig had a game-high six rebounds to go along with nine points. Norwalk boys basketball is now 11-10 against Ballard since tracking began in 2006. 

Both Norwalk teams will be back in action on Friday as they travel to Pella for a doubleheader. Combined broadcast coverage with Shaffer Landuyt and Trevor Castle will be on 92.1 KRLS, with coverage beginning at 5:45 p.m.