With many of his players back from a year ago, Pella Christian girls basketball coach Kevin Van Maanen is seeing some major improvements early this season.

While the physical tools are noticeably better, Van Maanen says that the mental game is where he’s seeing the biggest strides.

They’ve been spending lots of time focusing on cutting down on high-risk passes that lead to turnovers, not getting trapped in a corner with no way out, and avoiding unforced errors.

VAN MAANEN ON MENTAL IMPROVEMENT
“We’re doing less this year, so that’s good. We can keep working on the little things like that, which will just make us better and better. That will help us win bigger ball games down the stretch, too. We’re coming and we’re making good strides. We just have to take it one game at a time.”

The Eagles averaged over 21 turnovers per game last year in an 8-15 season. They’ve cut that down to 18 per game this season, and they’re 6-1 at the one-third point of the year.

The stiffest test of 2016 awaits Pella Christian’s girls tomorrow night, as they’ll host class 5-A number one Indianola as part of a Little Hawkeye Conference doubleheader.