Mustangs girls basketball takes on a familiar foe in the state semifinal game, the Norwalk Warriors. The two have identical 22-2 records and shared the conference title in the Little Hawkeye this season. Their paths cross once again in the state tournament.

Norwalk enters this contest winners of seven games in a row and 15 of their last 16. The lone loss in that time frame came at the hands of DCG. Braylyn Birmingham, a 30 points per game scorer, led her squad to a 50-37 win in the quarterfinals with an impressive 26-point and 10 rebound double-double. The sophomore and her Warriors look to avenge the February 3rd home loss to the Mustangs tonight in the semis.

Dallas Center-Grimes is coming off a very efficient 59-39 win over the Go-Hawks. DCG shot 56% from the field and 64% from beyond the arc. In their two previous bouts this season, the Mustangs struggled shooting the ball against the gritty Norwalk defense. They fell in the first matchup, so DCG adjusted. They elevated their own toughness and mental fortitude and beat the Warriors at their own game a month ago. 

With the season series split at one game apiece, tonight will be a no-holds-barred, knives-out battle for the right to play in the 4A state championship game. Tip-off for the semifinals is scheduled for 5 pm tonight from the Casey’s Center in downtown Des Moines. Coverage begins at 4:45 pm on KDLS and raccoonvalleyradio.com.