Here We Go!

Focus. Take two deep breaths—big inhale, long exhale. Relax. Repeat as necessary.

It’s gonna be that kind of week for basketball fans in central Iowa. If you’re like me, you’re probably nervous, excited, exhausted, and ripe with anticipation all at once. The Colo-Nesco boys need to win 3 games in 5 days to advance to the Boys State Tournaments. Up first is Grand View Park Baptist on Tuesday night, a team the Royals have beaten twice this season. You can’t take anything for granted this time of year—it’s one and done—but assuming a victory, Colo-Nesco would then face the winner of Ankeny Christian and Madrid on Thursday night in Ankeny. Ankeny Christian is rated #10 in Class 1A. Their only loss of the season was to Iowa Christian, the team Madrid just beat by 16 points. A win Thursday would place the Royals into the sub state game for the third consecutive year. They say the third time is a charm. Lets hope that’s true this week. The likely opponent looks to be Lamoni, with a record of 18-2.

In girls’ action, the Ballard Bombers are gunning for their fifth consecutive state tournament appearance. Ballard is the defending State Champion and faces Pella on Tuesday night in Saydel. The Bombers are 21-1 and rated #5 in 3A. Their only loss of the season was a 6-point defeat to the #1 team in Class 4A: Linn Mar. Pella is rated #14, and Ballard beat them by 16 points in the first game of the season.

Good luck to all, and hopefully next Sunday I’ll be blogging about State Tournament Previews!