When Pella Christian’s boys basketball team returns to the floor in January, they’ll do so against one of the deepest conferences in the state.

This year’s Little Hawkeye Conference is shaping up to be a close race to the finish line, with seven of the eight teams holding winning records, and DCG remaining as the last unbeaten.

Head Coach Larry Hessing tells KNIA/KRLS Sports the conference is every bit as good as it is close, which means the team has to be ready every game, one of the areas of improvement he’s identified for the Eagles over the winter break.

“I think that one of the things we have to work through yet is not just assuming we’re the better team. We’ve been a little lethargic, and I’m not sure if that’s part of the psychological readiness to play, but we have to be really ready to play every night and it makes you better – it brings the best out of you.”

Pella Christian returns to action in a girls-boys doubleheader at Grinnell on Friday, January 6th.