The 2021-22 high school boys basketball season is fast approaching and the spotlight is clearly shining on the Pella Dutch after a remarkable run to the Class 3A championship last spring.

After completing the journey to a third-ever state title, a core of returning talent has the green and white dreaming of repeating history and making a run at another trophy.

Expectations are as high as the target on their backs is large as Pella tops the majority of preseason polls in Class 3A. Following the departure of All-Tournament Team Captain Grant Nelson and key Seniors Josh Warner and Ryan Mace, there will be roles and shoes to fill, but a wealth of varsity-level talent on the roster this winter will have every opportunity to do so.

All-State 2nd Team Selection Karl Miller returns as one of the most lethal sharpshooters in Iowa, hitting 44.7% of his career three point attempts and finishing with the 2nd most makes from beyond-the-arc in Class 3A in 2021–behind only his now former teammate Nelson. Miller’s long frame at 6-4 and the athleticism he flashed while being a major contributor to the 3A state track and field championship in May has the Dutch coaching staff excited to see if he can elevate his game to the next level and help offset the loss of last year’s seniors.

Newton-native Noah Allen returns this year for a full season after earning Player of the Game honors in the 3A championship game and averaging 12 points per game following his debut halfway through the season due to transfer rules. Allen will run the point on most possessions and will look to expand his game as a distributor on top of showing off his shooting ability.

Explosive Forward Parker Elder is seeking a breakout season offensively after rating as one of the better on-ball defenders in 2020-21. Elder often drew the toughest assignments of opposing scorers last winter and was one of the biggest keys to a Dutch defense that only allowed 46 points per game in the postseason run.

That trio will be joined by seniors Preston Rowe and Keegan Hansen in the starting five, and that pair will look to serve in similar roles to Warner and Mace from the championship team with strong defense, an ability to shoot when needed, and providing physicality and outlets during longer offensive possessions.

Pella kicks off their 3A boys basketball title defense on Tuesday, November 30th at North Polk — a doubleheader that can be heard live on 92.1 KRLS.