Experienced and tested, Pella Christian’s goal of playing for a Class 2A state championship will come down to tonight’s Substate Final with Highland.

Third place at state each of the past two seasons, the Eagles’ senior-heavy team will hope to continue playing some of their best basketball of the season against the 19-4 Huskies from Ainsworth and Riverside to have a chance to better their previous two finishes at Wells Fargo Arena.

Led by Head Coach Larry Hessing– who is searching for his 11th all-time state appearance, the veteran Eagles aim to rise to the challenge again and set the stage for what they hope is a special week in Des Moines. But in order to get to that point, Hessing says the players have to keep preparing and playing the way they have for the past three years.

“We know that there are some really tough games ahead,” he says. “We pride ourselves in scouting well and preparing well per team, per opponent, and we trust that process.”

Pella Christian is trying for their 14th trip to state; Highland is aiming to get there for the second time in school history and first time in 32 years.

Coverage from Oskaloosa High School for the Substate final begins at 6:30 p.m. on 92.1 KRLS, kniakrls.com, and the KRLS mobile app, with Andrew Schneider and Brad Engbers on the call and opening tip at 7.