Though it didn’t have the sizzle of a season that led to a State Tournament berth like in the previous year, this past campaign was still very much a successful one for the Pella Christian boys basketball team. Having entered the summer with a need to replace all five starters from the previous year’s squad, this season’s Eagles team certainly had their fair share of questions marks at the onset of the season; but saw those questions answered as time progressed. Pella Christian head coach Larry Hessing said the emergence of new leaders made this season memorable.

“Certainly the development of the seniors – not just as basketball players, but as young men of leadership and character – was really rewarding to see,” said Hessing. “Last year they played behind some big personalities – in a certain sense – and some talent, and they did not get a lot of playing time. But they seized their opportunity; and not just in terms of playing, but also in leadership skills in practice and pulling the team together – and keeping them together – throughout the season.”

In all, six seniors were on this year’s Pella Christian boys basketball team, which finished third in the Little Hawkeye Conference with a 7-5 league mark, and went 13-8 overall.