A long overdue matchup between conference foes could have big implications on where the teams could find themselves in the coming weeks for postseason action, as the Pella basketball teams travel to Norwalk this evening.

The twin bill between the Dutch and Warriors was pushed back several times due to weather, as the much anticipated competition between the two schools is now a more than two-month gap removed from their December 1st meeting and a Norwalk sweep at Pella High School.

For the #13 in 4A Pella girls and #8 ranked Warriors, the winner tonight likely secures a first-round bye and a regional playoff home game between now and a potential journey to Wells Fargo Arena. Norwalk hung on to a 69-67 victory in the first tilt, but as is expected, a lot has changed in the weeks since. Pella was missing three key seniors in the matchup, including the conference’s top defender in Abby Warner, as well as Sophia Reynolds and Aaliyah Riddick. And while three Warriors finished in double-figures in the first dance, the Dutch will continue their focus on trying to contain the conference’s best overall player in Bailey Birmingham, who is averaging a best-in-Iowa 27 points per game — the same number she dropped on the green and white.

Ranked #10 in last week’s 4A poll, Norwalk is trying to salvage their chance at a boys basketball conference title after a lopsided loss to Dallas Center-Grimes. DCG still has to contend with the Eagles and Dutch this week, and Pella is mired in an extremely difficult stretch of their own that started with the Mustangs last week and continues into the Warriors’ den this week. Despite a strong fourth-quarter effort, Norwalk largely controlled the first meeting between the long-time conference rivals in December and won 68-61.

Coverage of tonight’s doubleheader for Pella and Norwalk begins at 5:45 this evening on 92.1 KRLS.