Pella Boys Headed to 3A Title Game

Posted By: Trevor Castle
March 12, 2021 @ 6:01 am
Today’s Local Sports

It was another grind it out affair at the state tournament for the Pella High boys basketball team, with a stifling defensive effort leading the way in a 46-32 victory over Sergeant Bluff-Luton heard live on 92.1 KRLS. With the win, the Little Dutch are headed to their first state title game since 2010 later today.

With Pella matching the Warriors’ slow-down style on offense, the score was just 17-12 in favor of the Little Dutch heading into halftime. They started to stretch that lead in the third quarter, capping it off with a hustle bucket by junior Karl Miller at the buzzer to open a 30-21 lead.

Sergeant Bluff-Luton kept within arms reach, but never closed it to a two possession game, and Pella repeatedly broke the Warriors pressure, leading to layups and free throws to ice the victory. Assistant Coach Blaine Forsythe said afterwards that he was proud of the way the guys battled.

“We’ve played just about every style you can play offensively and defensively. We’ve grinded in the half court and we’ve pushed in the full court. For them to be able to come out and execute in any environment is a testament to our guys and all of the work that they’ve put in.”

Pella shot just 35% from the floor, and made only 5-of-21 three-pointers. They also forced 16 SB-L turnovers, including seven steals, and they blocked three shots while contesting every Warrior look. Miller led Pella with both 14 points and eight rebounds, and Grant Nelson scored 13.

The Little Dutch are now 24-2 on the season, and they’ll play Ballard tonight for the class 3A state championship. The top-seeded Bombers are 25-1 after they knocked out Davenport Assumption 74-65 in the early game yesterday. Pella junior guard Parker Elder is excited that all of the hard work for him and his teammates is paying off with a chance to win a title.

“I think it will be a really fun game, because I believe they’ll play with us in transition. We haven’t been able to do that yet in the state tournament. If the hoop will open up for us, hopefully we’ll get a win.”

The title tilt features the top two scoring teams in class 3A and the only two teams to hold the number one ranking in the last two months of the season. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00 at Wells Fargo Arena. Join Trevor Castle and Phil Hemming for all of the action on 92.1 KRLS, beginning with a special pregame at 4:00.