The Lady Dutch basketball season opens tonight as Pella welcomes Mt. Pleasant to town for a varsity matchup. Pella opens the season with youth, but a lot of potential on a roster largely filled with sophomores and juniors. Head Coach Jerod Garland says while it will take some time and likely growing pains, the team has lofty goals as it begins the season.

“As far as what kind of concrete goals they want to set, we give them ten or 15 minutes and let them go, and at the top of the list was a state tournament appearance. That’s their main goal, and we always say what your goals are is how we’re going to coach you,” Garland says.

Varsity tip for the Lady Dutch and Panthers is at 7:30 p.m. tonight at Pella High School.