Pella High’s boys’ basketball team came up a bit short of their ultimate goal of a Class 3A state championship, but they left a lasting memory in their final game of their season.

After losing to eventual champion Cedar Rapids Xavier in the semifinals, the team gathered on Friday and decided that they would go out with a bang and enjoy what would be their one last time to play together as a unit. Playing in the noon game on Saturday, the Little Dutch went to the locker room for one last talk before the starting line-ups and National Anthem. That is where they were greeted by Iowa State Cyclones star, Georges Niang. Coach Mark Core says his presence and his pep-talk before the opening tip were both nice shots in the arm. Pella went on to win, 101 – 68 over Chariton, and they were the first team to score 100 points in the state tournament in 20 years.