Karl Miller scored 30 points, including the 1,000th of his career, as the Pella High boys basketball team started defense of its class 3A state championship last night with a 74-53 victory over Carlisle in a game heard live on 92.1 KRLS.

Miller scored the first five points of the game and had 11 at the half as the Dutch led 36-23. He then erupted for a 15-point third quarter and stepped to the free throw line early in the fourth quarter, calmly sinking both shots to reach the milestone. He added two more free throws later in the quarter as part of a 16-of-19 Pella effort at the charity stripe, and told KNIA/KRLS sports after the game that everything was clicking.

“I was really just getting to my spots at all three levels – the three point line, mid-range and layups, but those three balls really help out.”

Miller added nine rebounds and three assists, and Parker Elder was next up with 11 points and eight boards.

The fifth-ranked Dutch improve to 16-6 on the season and will host number four Bondurant-Farrar Thursday night in the district final.