The Pella Christian boys basketball team’s late season surge was largely, in part, due to a combination of many factors.

A lockdown defense–coupled with a rapidly diversified offense, lifted the Eagles from their five-game losing streak near the end of the season, and turned them into a white-hot team that has won eight in a row to clinch their second straight state tournament berth.

Head Coach Larry Hessing credits his unsung heroes, including seniors Peyton Reimer, Holden Hooyer, and Josh Fopma, with lifting his regular rotation’s level of play.

“To have three seniors like Peyton, Holden, and Joshua not get much playing time, but not sulk and be able to come to practice every day and work hard and push their teammates is just incredible to me, because that often doesn’t happen,” Hessing says.

Reimer was among the group that mopped up Saturday’s Substate victory, and tells KNIA/KRLS every one of those few minutes he got to play this postseason were special.

“It made all the practices that all the guys on the bench go through worth it,” the senior says. “It makes us feel more important, and makes us feel more a part of the team.”

Pella Christian plays undefeated Dike New-Hartford Monday at 8:15 p.m. in the boys Class 2A quarterfinals, a game that can be heard live on 92.1 KRLS.