It’s a rare opportunity to get to see the state tournament venue before the final eight teams advance in their respective classes — But Pella Christian will get that opportunity Monday night. The Eagles boys and girls basketball teams will take on long-time rival Des Moines Christian at Wells Fargo Arena on Monday. 

With multiple ranked Little Hawkeye Conference teams remaining on the schedule, it will be a refreshing breath of air for the Eagles to step away from the league for the final time before the 2A playoffs against Des Moines Christian. In the Varsity Bound/Quikstats era, the Pella Christian girls trail in the all-time series against the Lions 7-6, with Des Moines Christian winning the last three meetings.

The boys game could be a preview of a potential substate matchup come postseason time. Neither program is a stranger to the state tournament venue; Pella Christian has qualified 15 times since 1990 and most recently in 2020, and Des Moines Christian has been to state in 2019 and 2021 under head coach Jason Van Mersbergen — a Pella Christian graduate. The Eagles hold the advantage in the rivalry 9-6 during the Varsity Bound/Quikstats era and the two Christian schools have traded wins since 2017. Des Moines Christian narrowly edged the Eagles by three points in the most recent meeting in January 2021. Pella Christian Senior Point Guard Levi Schelhaas is excited for the opportunity to see the state tournament venue before March, and for the chance to play one of the best teams in Class 2A at the same time.

“We want to get used to playing there. So, it will be exciting and I can’t wait for the game. We just have to be under control and have composure, because we want to get used to being there. We want to get there later in the season and keep going there and stay there.”

Pella Christian Head Boys Basketball Coach J.D. Boer echoes Schelhaas’ excitement.

“It’ll be fun, and we’re looking forward to that, and I think it will just be a fun atmosphere. A little bit of a rivalry with Des Moines Christian, and we’ve kind of gone back and forth the past few years, and we’ve met on the tournament run before and obviously there’s a chance to do that again. We’re not thinking too much about that right now, but I am just looking forward to getting there and enjoying it and playing a fun game.”

Coverage of Pella Christian vs. Des Moines Christian basketball from Wells Fargo Arena begins at 5:45 p.m. on 92.1 KRLS.