Photo Courtesy of Troy L. Hugen Photography

After graduating seven seniors from their Class 2A State Tournament Semifinal team a year ago, the Pella Christian boys basketball squad knew that new faces would have to take on bigger roles this season. 

With six games under their belts at the holiday break, the Eagles have gotten that from a trio of juniors and a senior. Juniors Tysen De Vries, Benny Schirz, and Dane Geetings, as well as senior Lincoln Vander Molen currently are among the leaders of different statistical categories in the Little Hawkeye Conference. 

At the break, De Vries leads the conference in assists per game with 4.8 and is third in the conference in points per game with 14.8 and tied for third in steals per game with two. Schirz is tied for the league lead in offensive rebounds per game with 3.2, while Geetings is tied for the fourth best free throw percentage at 85.7%. Vander Molen currently ranks fifth in the Little Hawkeye Conference in made three-pointers per game, averaging 2.2 triples per contest.

Pella Christian entered the holiday break with 4-2 overall record following a big upset win over Class 2A #6 ranked Wilton last Monday. The Eagles will look to carry that momentum into 2023 when they resume action at Newton on January 3rd.