Pella’s boys basketball team opens the 2016 season with a home game tonight against Grandview Christian.

The Little Dutch have only been practicing as a full team since last Tuesday, following the deep run to the football state championship.

State rules would have allowed Pella to wait until they’d had 10 days of practice before taking the floor for their first game, but Coach Mark Core says there are no excuses, and he wants his club to get out there and play right away.

“Game number one is going to be the same as game number 21 in terms of our point of emphasis. We’re going to play as hard as we can, we’re going to emphasize unselfishness, fundamental soundness, defense, and we’re going to try to get better so we’re playing the best we can in February and March.”

Tonight’s varsity game between the Pella boys and Grandview Christian is scheduled to tip off at 7:45 at Pella High School.