The Pella boys basketball team is hoping their defense can pave the way to a victory tonight, as they go for the season sweep of rival Knoxville on the Panthers’ home floor, while Knoxville is hoping to take better care of the basketball and limit Pella’s extra posessions. Pella Head Coach Mark Core says their defensive approach starts with the guys in the backcourt limiting Knoxville’s touches in the post and getting after their guards. In the first game the Panthers got down early on due to turning the ball over and never recovered. Knoxville Coach Brad McWilliams says Pella uses defense to start the offense and if Knoxville can limit mistakes he hopes to stay in the game. Tuesday night was the first game in three that Knoxville was at full strength. Luke Moore made his return from an ankle injury which McWilliams says is about 80-percent healed…and Mike Jacks was back from an illness over the weekend. The Little Dutch soundly defeated the Panthers 65-38 during the team’s first meeting and are hoping to improve upon their 10-1 mark in league play to stay close to the top in the conference race with a rematch coming next Friday at conference leader Norwalk. You can hear the action live from Knoxville. Knoxville fans can join Derek Cardwell on AM 1320 KNIA while Pella fans can tune to 92.1 FM KRLS with Eric Gotschall and Randy Sikkema on the call. Both broadcasts will also be streamed live on kniakrls.com. Tip-off of the boys’ game will follow the girls’ contest, at around 7:30 p.m. tonight.

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