The Pella basketball teams return to action in the new year and will do so against new-look Oskaloosa on the short trek south down Highway 163 this evening.

The No. 2 in Class 3A Dutch will see a much-different Indians boys opponent, with a new head coach and a lot of new faces after several graduations over the past few seasons from their state tournament teams.

Pella’s girls are contending with a much-improved Oskaloosa team that has already exceeded their win total from the past four years combined — and Head Coach Jerod Garland believes they can’t take this game for granted with the tough schedule ahead.

“They are 5-4 right now and that’s tells you all you need to know, with a pretty balanced offensive inside and out — they’ve been shooting the ball really well and have a nice post and some size in there,” he says. “I think the good thing as a coach is that every time you enter the gym, you can’t have a let down.”

Coverage from Oskaloosa for the Pella basketball doubleheader begins at 6 p.m. on 92.1 KRLS.