Even the NBA has gone away from scheduling teams to play four games in five nights. But that’s the gauntlet that Mother Nature has laid down for the Pella High basketball teams as the bill for a string of weather postponements is finally coming due.

The Dutch will play Little Hawkeye Conference doubleheaders Monday night at home against Indianola, Tuesday at Oskaloosa, Thursday versus Dallas Center-Grimes and Friday at Pella Christian. Pella boys coach Derek Schulte was asked about the expectations for his team during such a busy stretch.

“Same as it always is – compete really hard and give us their absolute best. We’re going to have to use our depth and we’re fortunate we have that because I think we will see a difference in legs at the end of the week compared to the beginning. That’s just the reality, but we’re not the only team in this situation. So let’s be excited about it and let’s go play some basketball. We’re playing well right now, let’s keep it going.”

Pella’s boys are 8-4 on the season and 3-2 in the Little Hawkeye Conference. Monday’s opponent, Indianola, is 1-12 and 1-7 entering the contest.

The girls game will feature the 11-3 Dutch, who are 4-1 in the LHC, against an Indians squad that is 5-11, but 5-3 in conference play and coming off an upset win over Norwalk on Friday night. Pella coach Blaine Forsythe knows that Indianola is going to be a very formidable foe.

“They made a switch to zone coming out of Christmas break and I’ve felt they’ve done a pretty good job of executing that. When you make that switch halfway through the season, it’s going to take a little bit of time to get used to that. They’re a tough team, they’re well coached and they’re going to be ready to play.”

Tip off is scheduled for 6:15 Monday night at Pella High School. Trevor Castle and Andrew Swadner will call the action live on 92.1 KRLS, 94.3 KNIA and Pella Dutch Live beginning with pregame coverage at 5:45.