Pella Senior Karl Miller crossed the 1,000 career point mark in one of his best individual games in four varsity years with the Dutch on Monday. His 30 point performance — fueled by a 15-point 3rd quarter, allowed him to achieve a career milestone just six days after teammate Noah Allen accomplished the same feat in his four years with Newton and Pella.

Miller says the whole gym knew the 1,000 mark was coming as he heated up in the second half, and Karl could feel the support after hitting his free throws. Miller recalls Monday’s moment at the free throw line was the same way he got to 100 career points as a freshman, and he had confidence in himself during the moment.

“It was really a great feeling,” Miller says. “As a freshman, for my first 100 points, it was at the free throw line as well, so that was rolling through my head, and so I knew I was going to knock them down.”

While Miller earned the moniker “The Driller” early in his Dutch career for his excellent three point shooting, Dutch Head Coach Derek Schulte says he’s joined the elite club at Pella High School through his all-around game and ability to be dangerous from anywhere on the floor.

“He scores from all three levels, which is really hard to do, from three, mid-range, and at the rim,” he says. “You saw the ability of the bounce in the post — we had him down for nine rebounds so he’s in the ball park of a double-double [Monday night], and I think a piece he doesn’t get enough credit for — he’s really improved as a defensive player and his length is something that really sets the tone for us there.”

“He’s a complete player — we’re going to celebrate all of the points he scores and the threes he makes, but Karl is a complete basketball player.”

Miller has 186 career three-point baskets made and is the 7th four-year Pella player to cross 1,000 career points since 1995.

Hear from the newest member of Pella High School’s 1,000 point club on this week’s KNIA/KRLS Radio Sports Page, which airs tonight at 6 p.m. on 92.1 KRLS. Miller is gearing up for a Top 5 showdown in the 3A Substate Semifinals Thursday as the #5 Dutch host #4 Bondurant-Farrar.