Two schools rich in Little Hawkeye Conference basketball traditions of success will clash on the hardwood tonight at Pella High School as the Dutch welcome the Warriors of Norwalk for a doubleheader. Pella is coming off of a tough pair of losses to North Polk and return home to try and right the ship against Norwalk teams with high hopes for their winter seasons both in the league and in the postseason.

The Dutch boys are aiming to repeat an early season surprise over the eventual 4A state qualifying Warriors from last season, splitting the season series last winter after a dominating performance by Norwalk at Pella High School. Both teams come into the game potentially short handed, as both missed key returners Aidan Harder and Romon Hugan Tuesday.

Pella’s girls will try to play better against the newly #3 ranked Norwalk girls than their result against the Comets earlier this week. The Warriors are already 4-0 against a solid mix of non-conference foes, including the previous #3 in 4A team Ballard, and leaping into the state tournament picture as the calendar flips to December. Norwalk is trying to overcome a recent stretch of success for the green and white in the series, having lost six of the last seven showdowns with their longtime conference foe. Pella will try to contain Bailey Birmingham and her scoring 30.5 points per game to start the winter campaign.

Coverage of the Dutch/Warriors basketball doubleheader begins at 5:45 this evening on 92.1 KRLS.