An estimated crowd of over 300 people enjoyed the first annual Pinky Swear Holiday Classic last night, featuring Pella High School basketball alumni from the past five decades.

As with most hoops exhibitions, three-pointers and layups were plentiful, while defense was spotty. In the end, the Green team won 80-63, led by 18 points from Nick Hartson and 14 from Beau Browne. Jace Versteeg of the White squad led all scorers with 22.

The crowd favorite was 1979 alum Brian Vande Lune, who’s only two points came on a spectacular reverse layup, and the highlight play was a breakaway dunk by 2016 grad Will Warner.

Current Little Dutch head coach Mark Core was the referee for the festivities, and he says it was fun seeing many of his former players, and those from other eras, all on the floor at the same time.

“There was a lot of athleticism. A lot of guys and girls, women, who have kept themselves in shape and really put on a fine exhibition of basketball. The final point total, there were 143 points scored in a game in which there was running clock. I suppose you can say that kind of like the NBA All-Star game, the defense wasn’t quite as intense as it should be, but then again, two guys took charges in this game. When do you see guys step in and take charges in an alumni game?”

Admission last night was five dollars per person, the Pella HyVee served dinner for a free-will donation, and there was Pinky Swear swag for sale. All of the proceeds from last night’s event go to Pinky Swear to help families of children suffering from cancer with non-medical expenses.