HUXLEY, Iowa – The Ballard mens' basketball team put on a dominant performance Tuesday night, cruising past Atlantic 71-27 in a district semifinal matchup. 

Ballard wasted no time setting the tone, jumping out to a commanding 20-4 lead in the first quarter.  Their defensive pressure stifled Atlantic's offense all night, forcing turnovers and limiting clean looks at the basket.  By halftime, the Bombers held a 41-11 advantage, all but sealing the outcome before the second half even began.

The third quarter saw much of the same, with Ballard extending its lead to 59-20 heading into the final frame.  A balanced scoring attack and relentless defensive effort allowed the Bombers to maintain their dominance until the final buzzer.

Now, Ballard turns its focus to North Polk, a familiar opponent from the Raccoon River Conference, with a district championship and a trip to the substate final on the line.  The Bombers, who have been one of the top teams in Class 3A all season, will look to continue their strong play in front of their home crowd.

With the win, the Bombers (19-2) advance to the district final, where they will host conference rival North Polk on Thursday, February 27, at 7:00 PM in The Hangar.

Photo Credit: Davidson Photography