Saturday’s Class 3A championship will be a one versus two showdown. Top ranked Ballard used a 9-0 run in the third quarter to take command in a 58-45 win in Thursday night’s semifinal round. Ballard’s Allison Lacy who had 20-points as the Bombers improve to 26-0 says they knew what they had to do and came out focused in the second half..
Harlan coach Tony Vis says the Cyclones did not shoot the ball well enough to give theselves a chance. They hit 28-percent for the game. Vis says Ballard is also very good defensively — only giving up 37 points a game.
Second ranked Norwalk made only four field goals in the second half but the Warriors hit 15 of 17 from the foul line as they held off third ranked and defending champion Cedar Rapids Xavier 44-42. Kelsey Cermak led Norwalk with 20 points and says they gave it their all and feel good about going to the championship game.
Xavier cut the lead to one with just over three minutes remaining but Cermak answered with a layup and a free throw just seconds later and Norwalk held on for the win. She says they were just trying to hold onto the lead and went several minutes without a basket, but she says they got the win.
Xavier coach Tom Lilly says after a shaky first half his team dug in on defense. Lilly says they made some halftime adjustments and shut them down somewhat. He says he’s extremely proud of his team. Ballard and Norwalk met during the regular season with Ballard claiming a 73-70 win.