The first basketball Friday of the new calendar year featured the two Tulip City rivals locking horns, with Pella and Pella Christian splitting the first of two conference showdowns, as heard live on 92.1 KRLS.

Ranked 15th in 4A this week for the first time this season, the Pella girls pulled away in the 2nd half in a 58-30 win over the Eagles, while the P.C. boys overcame an early deficit to dash by the Dutch 53-41.

The opener was tight through two quarters as the Eagles girls were disruptive enough defensively to maintain a close margin. But Kylie Tauke came out of the second half gates firing, scoring 17 points as the Dutch defense caused several issues for P.C., ultimately forcing 28 turnovers — 16 of which came after the break.

Dutch Head Coach Blaine Forsythe was quick to credit the work of the Eagles in the first half for forcing some tweaks in the locker room.

“We struggled to get open looks and they were doing a nice job breaking our press. We challenged our players to commit to their rotations, to playing fast, and pressuring the ball. I am so proud of the way they responded to that challenge in the 3rd and 4th quarters. Our pressure defensively forced a number of 2nd half turnovers and provided great offensive looks. Kylie’s 17 second half points were a huge boost for us. Her teammates did a great job of creating good looks for her and I am proud of the confidence she played with. As a player and a coach this is always one of my the best games of the year, it is such a fun rivalry to be a part of.”

Kennedy Van Vark added 13 points for the Dutch girls, Joslyn Terpstra led the way for P.C. with 11 points.

The nightcap saw Pella open with a 16-5 lead in the first quarter, dominating all phases of the first six minutes of the contest. But the Eagles zone defense tightened, and Tysen DeVries started to take the game over in the 2nd period and kickstarted an Eagles offense that went on an 11-0 run to tie it. Both Pella and Pella Christian traded blows through the end of the 3rd, which started with the first 13 points combined coming from DeVries and Luke Hardman from the Dutch. But DeVries was the star that shone the brightest Friday, finishing with several attacks at the rim in the 2nd half and 21 points. Hardman finished with 20 points for Pella to lead the team.

Pella Christian’s boys (5-3, 3-2 in the LHC) and girls (1-9, 0-5 in the LHC) have a quick turnaround for a doubleheader at Knoxville Monday (92.1 KRLS), while the Dutch boys (5-3, 3-2 in the LHC) host PCM Monday for a boys only game. The #15 in 4A Dutch girls (8-2, 4-1 in the LHC) are off until they join the boys for a twin bill in Indianola Tuesday (94.3 KNIA/KRLS2 simulcast).