As far as Pella High head girls basketball coach Jerod Garland is concerned, a 5-2 overall record and a 3-0 mark in the Little Hawkeye Conference came as an early Christmas present. After playing hard in a pair of losses to quality teams in the first two games, the Lady Dutch relied on a stifling defense to gain momentum during the remainder of the early portion of the schedule.

“We were hoping and thinking that it [our defense] might be there, and it’s been exciting to see that happen,” said Garland. “That’s been something we’ve been able to fall back on when we haven’t been able to shoot as well in some games so far.”

If you’re keeping track at home, that’s a five-game win streak that the Pella High girls are riding into the break. They’ll return to Little Hawkeye Conference play on January 3rd at home against Oskaloosa.