Pella Boys Basketball Surges in Second Half for Win Over Roland-Story
It was a second-half surge that led Pella to a much needed win at the Gilbert Showcase Saturday, as the Dutch knocked off previously ranked Roland-Story 71-62 on Saturday. While Pella struggled in their last bout with a 2A title contender against Pella Christian in the 2nd half on their January 5th showdown — the last game the green and white had played before winter’s attack on the schedule, the Dutch shined in the 4th quarter, outscoring the Norsemen 26-15 in the 4th as part of a 47 point 2nd half. Pella shot 62% from the field on their way to a quality victory over a Roland-Story team with sights on a 2A tournament run. Jack McGuire nabbed another double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds and Austin Schulte put together his best game of the season, scoring 17. Pella improves to 6-4 overall and will welcome Des Moines North on Monday for additional non-league action. Hear that twin bill live on 92.1 KRLS and watch on Pella Dutch Live.
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Dutch Girls Fall in Ranked Hoops Showdown at Des Moines Christian
In their first game in over two weeks, the #12 in 4A Pella girls basketball team hung close with a 3A title contender, but ultimately fell to #3 in 3A Des Moines Christian 56-49 Saturday afternoon in Urbandale. While the Dutch held a three point lead going into the 4th quarter, it was the Lions who caught fire for a 22 point blitz against the normally sound green defense.
“Credit to Des Moines Christian, they are a talented team and well coached,” said Dutch Head Coach Blaine Forsyte. “They executed well against our press and had a number of players step up to hit big shots. I am proud of our girls’ play and the efforts that they gave for 32 minutes. We will continue to coach them up and find ways to put our players in position to play to their strengths.”
Katie Scheckel led the Dutch with 11 points and seven rebounds, and Abby Warner scored 10 and collected four boards. Pella falls to 9-3 overall and hosts Des Moines North next on Monday. Hear that game live on 92.1 KRLS and watch on the Pella Dutch Live YouTube at 5:45 p.m.
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Pella Girls Wrestling Place 6th in Final Regular Season Tournament at Colfax-Mingo
The Pella girls wrestling team got their final tune up before the state qualifying meet, placing 6th at Colfax-Mingo Saturday. Pella earned first place finishes from Serenity Turner (105 – four pinfalls), Emmalee Spurgeon (155 – four pinfalls), and Elaine Babcock (3-0; two pinfalls).
“We were thankful to get a chance to wrestle today after weather created such a wacky schedule,” said Head Coach Adam Hale. “It was a much needed tune up before the week of postseason for us. It was a bit of a mixed bag today. We were definitely a bit rusty, but we did see some improvement in different spots. Macy continues to gain confidence on the mat and had a really nice takedown today, same with Lyndon. We’re happy to see the progress there, for sure. Isabella wrestled probably one of her best matches ever in her consolation semifinal as she secured a major decision against a solid opponent; really liked how she kept wrestling through some tough spots and had some really great wrestling sequences. Ellison picked up a win along the way today which proved to be a difference maker in team scores. Cami stepped into the varsity lineup today and ended up placing in a bracket that included two top four placers from last year’s State tourney. Serenity got actual matches for the first time this calendar year and really executed some of the focus points we’ve been working on in practice. Emmalee had a solid day and got an opponent that forced her to push the pace a bit more in the finals which was great for us to see. Elaine put together some nice wrestling sequences, when she keeps moving, she looks really tough right now.”
Pella will head to region three of the Super Regional tournaments on Friday, January 26th at 10 a.m. at Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines.
Dutch Boys Wrestlers 4th at Williamsburg
Pella’s boys wrestlers returned to the mats after more than a week away, placing 4th at the Williamsburg Invitational Saturday. In a meet where most grapplers racked up six matches, Dutch seniors Jackson Van Kley (31-2 overall, 190) and Kieran Van Voorst (25-5 overall, 215) were weight class champions, with five pinfalls recorded by each. Kaiden Hol (285), Logan Bruxvoort (165), Hunter Smith (157), and Damion Clark were all runners-up. The Dutch celebrate senior night Thursday at home with North Polk and Waukee.
Pella Girls Bowlers Break Records as Dutch Swept by Newton
The Pella Dutch bowlers returned to the lanes for the first time in two weeks, resulting in losses to Newton Saturday. The Pella boys fell to the Cardinals 2816-2701, and the Dutch girls by a 2299-2109 score. Pella’s girls set two new school records and added five additional scores to the top five historically. Xavia Walker shot a 203 for the girls’ high score, and Taylor Walker led with a 358 series.
The girls team set the following marks on the record books:
Xavia Walker — 3rd in high individual game (203)
Taylor Walker — 2nd in high individual series (358)
Xavia Walker — 5th in high individual series (336)
Girls’ Varsity Team: (McKenna Salvador, Audrey Moore, Xavia Walker, Carmen Walker, Sophia Templeton and Taylor Walker)
NEW SCHOOL RECORD in high individual round game score (895)
3rd in high individual round match score (1387)
2nd in high baker round team score (722)
NEW SCHOOL RECORD in high match score (2109)
The Dutch boys were led by Carter Failor with a 235 game and a 416 series. Zander Beckey shot 378 and Alex Bishara provided a 224 and a 365. Pella has a busy week ahead, with a home match against Ballard on Tuesday, and a makeup dual on the road against Bondurant-Farrar on Wednesday.