BALLARD 60, HARLAN 36

Ballard looked every bit like the state's No. 1-ranked team in the opening round of Class 3A play.

Led by tournament veterans Amanda Zimmerman, Ally Jensen and Alexa Hugee, the Bombers rolled past Harlan 60-36 Tuesday to move into the semifinals for the fourth straight year.

Zimmerman finished with 14 points on 7-for-12 shooting. The Iowa State recruit also grabbed six rebounds, blocked five shots, handed out three assists and made two steals.

Hugee added 14 points and seven rebounds, while Jensen scored 13, including three 3-pointers. Jensen has signed with Creighton.

Amber Leinen led Harlan with 11 points and 12 rebounds.

Ballard raced to a 12-1 lead and was in control the rest of the way. The Bombers hit four 3-pointers in the first quarter, each by a different player. They led 21-6 at the break and were up 35-10 at halftime.

With the wide margin, both coaches were able to substitute freely. Fourteen players got into the game for Harlan, while 11 saw action for Ballard.

Ballard shot 51 percent, went 7-for-15 from 3-point range and had a 24-14 edge in points in the paint.

The Bombers will take a 24-1 record into a 6 p.m. game Thursday against fourth-ranked Waukon. Harlan finished with a 19-6 record.

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