(left to right: Norwalk’s Braylyn Birmingham, PCM’s Tori Lindsay, and Norwalk’s Pearl Brown)

(Norwalk photos courtesy of Bakerink Visuals)

Three area athletes have earned all-state girls basketball honors from the Iowa Print Sports Writers’ Association and Iowa Basketball Coaches’ Association, two from Norwalk and one from PCM.

For the second time, Norwalk’s Braylyn Birmingham earned Class 4A first-team honors. In her sophomore year, Birmingham was the clear-cut star on the #3 in 4A Warriors squad, leading them to a 22-3 overall record and a finish in the 4A state semifinals, falling to Dallas Center-Grimes. In addition to her all-state selections, Birmingham is also a two-time all-conference first team selection (unanimous this season), a two-time all-district selection, and a two-time all-tournament team member. This past season, she finished second in points per game in the state and first in free throws made, averaging 29.8 points per game, 7.7 rebounds per game, 3.3 assists per game, 2.3 steals per game, scored 745 points, and made 205 free throws. Birmingham also set the school record for points in a single game with 50 against Waukee in February. Also, this past season, Birmingham amassed 1,000 career points against Indianola in January. 

PCM’s Tori Lindsay earned Class 3A second-team honors. As a four-year starter, Lindsay was a major contributor and a key piece to the success of the PCM girls basketball program since her freshman season, and helped lead the Mustangs to a 22-2 overall record this past year. Lindsay is a four-time first-team all-conference selection and now a two-time all-state selection. This past season, she averaged 14.3 points per game, 4.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 3.5 steals, and made 63 three-point baskets. Lindsay also set the school record for three pointers in a career and surpassed 1,000 career points, along with being an all-district and all-region selection. The PCM girls basketball team fell in their regional final to Mediapolis. 

Norwalk’s Pearl Brown earned Class 4A third-team honors. In her senior season, Brown was the defensive specialist for the Warriors, whom head coach Joe Sigrist repeatedly called “the best defender in the state”. This is Brown’s first all-state selection. In addition, she also received a unanimous all-conference first team nod this season, as well as an all-district nod. Brown was also named second team all-conference her junior season and all-conference honorable mention as a sophomore. This past season, Brown averaged 7.8 points per game, 4.8 rebounds per game, and a team-high 1.4 blocks per game. She scored the second-most points for Norwalk this season with 195.