It’s the start of Little Hawkeye Conference play tonight for the Pella Christian girls basketball team, as the Lady Eagles host neighboring Knoxville. Though coming off of a loss to top-ranked Ballard on December 2nd, the Lady Eagles have shown continued improvement in the young season, sparked by a deep bench. Pella Christian Head Coach Kevin Van Maanen says the depth of his squad is making each individual better.

“I’m comfortable with putting ten players in if I have to,” said Van Maanen. “They’re coming along really nicely. They’re working hard – I like that – they’re pushing my main starters hard so that it’s making them [the starters] sharper. It’s just good to have that depth. It even makes practice more challenging for the girls, and with that, it’s just going to make us all better everywhere.”

The Lady Eagles are 2-1 entering tonight’s meeting with Knoxville. The game will be broadcast live on 92.1 fm KRLS with Eric Gotschall and Wynne Veenstra providing the call.