(Photo courtesy of Bakerink Visuals)

Norwalk junior guard Tillman Papcun scored a career-high 40 points on Friday night, leading the Warrior boys basketball team past Sioux City West, 81-52, in a Class 4A, Substate 1 semifinal in Norwalk. The game was heard live on 94.3 KNIA and the KNIA3 stream.

Papcun proved to be unstoppable at times, spearheading a 23-5 first-half Warrior run that included several drives to the basket and three consecutive made 3-pointers. He knocked down eight straight free throws during the second half as Norwalk outscored the Wolverines 43-23 to expand on a nine-point halftime lead. Defensively, the Warriors made West freshman standout Roman Henry work hard for his team-high 21 points. Henry tallied 52 in Monday’s first-round playoff win over Sioux City North, but faced ball-denial defense and frequent double teams against the Warriors.

Norwalk coach Aaron Pelzer tells KNIA Sports that holding West to 52 points – more than 24 below its 4A-leading average of 76.3 – was the key to the game. Pelzer says that the Warriors spent three straight practices game planning how to slow down Henry and his teammates. “We honestly did not even talk too much about offense coming into this game because I thought it was all about how we were going to guard them,” Pelzer said. “And I thought we did a really good job of guarding them and making things tough on Henry. He is such a good player. I think he’s a big-time Division I dude by the time he’s done.”

Both teams made nine 3-pointers, but the Warriors were much more effective off the dribble and finished with a big advantage in the assist and turnover departments. Jack Smith provided a timely spark off the bench with three straight 3’s during the second quarter and scored 11 points. Andrew Abbott worked inside for 12 points while Audric Pelzer and Jameson Demaray added eight points each. Pelzer also had five assists.

Freshman Dominic Merrigan scored 12 for West, which finished the season 16-7 overall. Norwalk improved to 15-7 and will now face fourth-ranked Dowling Catholic in the 4A Substate 1 championship game on Tuesday night at Dowling. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. The 19-3 Maroons defeated the Warriors 63-49 on February 14.