Aaron Pelzer has been the head coach of the Norwalk boys basketball team for three seasons. Two of the constants during that stretch have been Redek Born and Aidan Harder.

Norwalk’s two senior starters played their final game as Warriors on Tuesday night in a 75-64 substate final loss to West Des Moines Valley. Born led the team with 29 points and averaged nearly 23 per game on the season. He was also the team’s assist leader with four per night. Harder, who missed the Warriors’ first six games while recovering from surgery on his shooting hand, averaged 10 points per game and was the team leader in rebounds and steals per contest.

Together, Born and Harder have started nearly every game they’ve played the last three years, helping Norwalk to a 38-10 record as juniors and seniors and a trip to the state tournament last season.

Coach Pelzer tells KNIA Sports that it will be an odd feeling not having Born and Harder on the floor and in the locker room next winter. He credits both players for demonstrating exceptional work ethic, determination and leadership skills during their time at Norwalk.

“I never once in my three years as their coach questioned their effort and how hard they were playing and how bad they wanted to win, and ultimately how coachable they were,” Pelzer said. “They did everything I asked of them for three years, and that’s about all you can ask of your seniors.”

Born, who will play college basketball at the University of Northern Iowa, finished his prep career with 1,467 points and 133 made 3-pointers. Born scored 998 points during the last two seasons combined. Harder finished his varsity career with 596 points and 104 3-pointers.

In addition to Born and Harder, Bentley Bezoni and Alex Soyer were also seniors for the 2023-2024 Norwalk boys basketball team.