Both Norwalk basketball teams have their final conference doubleheader this evening, traveling to Oskaloosa for games that can be heard live on 94.3 KNIA and the KNIA3 stream.

Recently improved to #3 in 4A, the conference-leading Norwalk girls basketball team is currently 18-2 overall and 10-1 in conference, most recently defeating Newton on Tuesday by 25. The Warriors’ two losses of the season came from #2 in 3A Maquoketa and #2 in 4A DCG. The Warriors are led by sophomore Braylyn Birmingham (30.6 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 3.2 APG, & 2.5 SPG), who broke Norwalk’s single-game scoring record on Monday in Waukee, dropping 50 points. She is second in the state in scoring and first in free throws made. In Tuesday’s win in Newton, senior Ava Carlson became the sixth player in program history to record 500 career rebounds. The last-place Indians are 4-16 and 0-11 in Little Hawkeye Conference play. Last time these teams met in January, the Warriors won 73-24. Oskaloosa is led in scoring by Naomi and Porah Cole (10 PPG) and is coming off an 18-point loss to Fort Madison on Tuesday.

The Norwalk boys are 13-4 overall and 9-2 in conference, tied with Pella for first place in conference standings. They are coming off a 37-point win in Newton on Tuesday, in which they held all scorers to two made field goals or less. The Warriors are led by junior Tillman Papcun (21.6 PPG, 5.5 RPG, & 1.7 SPG), who had 23 points in Friday’s win. Papcun has led the Little Hawkeye Conference in points per game for the majority of the season. 11-8 overall, the Oskaloosa boys are 5-6 in conference, sitting in fourth place. The Indians are coming off a 17-point loss to Knoxville on Monday, in which they were outshot by 21%. They are led in scoring by junior Tommy North (16.3 PPG). In the last meeting between these two teams, the Warriors won 66-52. 

Shaffer Landuyt and Steve Wermerskirchen will call the broadcast that can be heard live on 94.3 KNIA and kniakrls.com KNIA3. Coverage begins at 5:45 p.m. with the girls’ game and will be played at Oskaloosa High School. This contest will end the Norwalk girls’ regular season, while the boys will play their penultimate game at Dowling Catholic Saturday afternoon.