The Norwalk Warrior’s boys basketball team’s season came to an end Friday as they fell to the Johnston Dragons in the Class 4A Group 8 Substate Semifinal 60-49.

Coming into the game Johnston was a heavy favorite but when the game tipped off it was Norwalk that played like the favorite racing out to a 19-14 lead after the first quarter with their tenacious defense leading the way. Norwalk’s defense would be the story throughout as they would do an impressive job limiting the Johnston season scoring leaders and make the Dragon’s lean on their bench for offensive output

Johnston would be able to find timely shooting in the 2nd quarter to take a 26-25 lead at the half. In the 3rd quarter, Norwalk would come out firing led by sophomore Aidan Harder who led all scorers on the night with 21 points as Norwalk would take a 35-31 lead entering the final period.

Johnston’s bench would erupt again in the 4th quarter as junior Samuel Tornabane would hit four, three pointers in a row to give the Dragons the lead that they would never relinquish on their way to the 11 point win. Norwalk Head Coach Aaron Pelzer tells KNIA Sports he felt like his team played the way he wanted them to but just came up a little short.

Norwalk finishes the year 12-11 overall while Johnston will next face West Des Moines Dowling in the Class 4A Group 8 Substate Final on Tuesday.