The reigning Class 3A champion Norwalk boys basketball team travels to reigning Class 4A champion Ankeny tonight in the 4A Substate 8 semifinals. At 14-8, Norwalk enters with the momentum of a home victory over Mason City in the first round on Monday, which was the program’s first ever 4A postseason win. The Warriors will be in search of a statement win against a Hawk team that despite a 9-9 record, earned the #2 seed in the bracket and the first round bye that comes with it. Norwalk coach Chris Larson says he expects a structured, methodical battle tonight.
Ankeny will play its first postseason game, and is back in action for the first time in a week. The Hawks have struggled to sustain momentum throughout the season, but are coming off a quality road win over Des Moines North in their regular season finale last Friday. Ankeny plays with a similar style as Norwalk, and the teams bring in similar stat lines to the contest.
The Norwalk boys basketball team begins its postseason Monday, hosting Mason City in the first round of Class 4A Substate 8. The reigning Class 3A champion will make the jump to Class 4A, with a more rugged path to the state tournament.
Norwalk finished the regular season 2-3 in the final five games, but will look to build upon the momentum of a comeback win over ADM in the season finale. The Norwalk held its opponents to just 49 points per game in the regular season, and will take on a Mason City team that only scores 49 per game.
The Mohawks stumbled to a 5-16 regular season record, and have lost eight straight entering the playoffs. They’re a one-man show offensively, led by junior Corey Miner’s 20.9 points per game. No one else averages more than seven.