It’s a rare occasion that a basketball team from the Tulip City is not playing at Wells Fargo Arena for the state tournament, and 2018 will stand out for that reason.

Since 1989, Pella Christian and Pella have between them had at least one boys or girls team playing in the state tournament in 26 of the last 30 years. The last time state competition did not feature the Eagles or Dutch was 2014, and prior to that, 2006 and 1994. Pella’s loss to Carlisle Thursday ensured a Tulip City team will not be participating in either tournament this winter.

Year by Year:
1952 – PC Girls
1975 – Pella Boys
1979 – Pella Boys
1984 – PC Girls
1989 – Pella Boys
1990 – PC Girls, PC Boys
1991 – Pella Boys
1992 – PC Boys
1993 – Pella Girls, Pella Boys, PC Boys
1995 – PC Girls
1996 – PC Girls
1997 – Pella Boys
1998 – Pella Boys, PC Boys
1999 – Pella Boys, PC Boys
2000 – PC Boys
2001 – Pella Girls, Pella Boys, PC Girls
2002 – Pella Girls, Pella Boys
2003 – Pella Girls, Pella Boys
2004 – Pella Girls, PC Boys
2005 – PC Girls
2007 – Pella Girls, Pella Boys
2008 – Pella Girls, PC Boys
2009 – Pella Girls, PC Boys
2010 – Pella Boys
2011 – PC Girls, PC Boys
2012 – PC Girls
2013 – PC Girls, PC Boys
2015 – Pella Boys, PC Boys
2016 – Pella Girls, Pella Boys, PC Boys
2017 – Pella Girls, Pella Boys, PC Boys

Years without – 2018, 2014, 2006, 1994

State Tournament Appearances (Girls)
Pella (10) – 1993, 2001, 2002 (T-4), 2003 (T-4), 2004, 2007, 2008 (2nd), 2009 (T-4), 2016, 2017
— Jerod Garland (2) 2016, 2017 – 3-2, runner up, top 4
— Mike Vint (8) 1993-09 – 5-8, runner up

Pella Christian (10) – 1952 (T-8), 1984, 1990(T-8), 1995, 1996 (T-4), 2001, 2005, 2011, 2012 (2nd), 2013
— Kevin Van Maanen (3) 2011, 12, 13 – 2-2, runner up
— Verlan Nikkel (2) 2001, 2005 – 0-2
— John Evenhouse (2) 1995, 96 – 1-2
— Jim Nieboer (1) 1990 – 1-1
— Jerry Vermeer (1) 1984 – 0-1
— Richard Burinooge (1) 1952 – 1-1

State Tournament Appearances (Boys)
Pella (16) – 1975, 1979 (3rd), 1989 (2nd), 1991, 1993, 1997 (2nd), 1998 (4th), 1999, 2001 (3rd), 2002 (1st), 2003 (1st), 2007, 2010 (2nd), 2015, 2016 (3rd), 2017
— Mark Core (11) since 1997 – 16-9, 2 championships, 2 runner ups
— George Wares (3) 1989, 91, 93 – 2-3, runner up
— Dave Bender (2) 1975, 79 – 1-2

Pella Christian Boys (14) – 1990 (1st), 1992 (1st), 1993 (1st), 1998 (2nd), 1999 (2nd), 2000 (2nd), 2004 (4th), 2008 (4th), 2009 (2nd), 2011, 2013, 2015 (3rd), 2016 (3rd), 2017 (2nd)
— Larry Hessing (11) since 1998 – 19-13 – 5 runner ups
— Jerry Nikkel (3) – three titles

Since 1989, at least one Pella or Pella Christian Basketball team has been to a state tournament 26 out of 30 years.