The first doubleheader of the season for the Norwalk basketball teams is tonight, as the Warriors play host to Ballard in non-conference action. In the girls game, Norwalk will look to continue the success they found in last week’s opener against ADM, but it’ll be a tall task. The #2 (3A) Bombers are the reigning champions of Class 4A, and bring back many of the key pieces from that team. The 1-1 Bombers have won eight of the last nine in the series with Norwalk, including the last three.

In the boys game, the Warriors will introduce a fairly young team to varsity action for the first time against a Ballard team coming off a Class 3A runner-up finish a year ago. Head Coach Aaron Pelzer says the schedule does not afford his team any breaks.

“Ballard I think is ranked third. They have a couple of really good players back from their second place team last year. They play us tough. It’s always a battle at the beginning of the year. I expect they’ll be very very good.”

It’ll be a battle between programs that know each other well, and is a rematch of a 2020 state semifinal game. The Bombers took last year’s season opener after Norwalk had taken the previous three.

Tonight’s doubleheader will air on KNIA3 with Jon Mohwinkle and Steve Wermerskirchen calling the action. Pregame coverage begins at 6:00, with the opening tipoff of the girls game at 6:15 inside the Norwalk High School gymnasium.