The Ballard men's basketball team put on a commanding performance in the district final, rolling past North Polk 70-44 to secure their spot in the substate championship. With a balanced attack and stifling defense, the Bombers improved to 20-2 on the season and are now just one win away from a state tournament berth.
Ballard wasted no time setting the tone, jumping out to a 22-9 lead in the first quarter behind efficient shooting and strong defensive pressure. They continued to control the tempo in the second, outscoring North Polk 16-10 to take a 38-19 advantage into halftime.
North Polk showed signs of life in the third quarter, outscoring Ballard 13-11, but the Bombers quickly put the game away with a dominant 21-point fourth quarter. Their defensive effort remained relentless, holding North Polk to just 12 points in the final frame.
With the victory, Ballard advances to the substate final, where they will host Des Moines Christian on Monday, March 3, at 7:00 PM in The Hangar. The Bombers will look to keep their momentum rolling as they aim for a trip to the state tournament.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
| North Polk (10-13) | 9 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 44 |
| #4 Ballard (20-2) | 22 | 16 | 11 | 21 | 70 |
Photo Credit: @icaree on X