Four players scored in double figures as the Pella High boys basketball team knocked off Carlisle 67-45 in the opening round of the class 3A substate tournament last night as heard live on 92.1 KRLS.

The second-seeded Dutch bolted out to an 11-0 start, and while Carlisle, the seventh seed, clawed within four in the second quarter, the Dutch never trailed. Austin Schulte came off the bench to score 12 of his game high 17 points in the first half as Pella built a 33-21 halftime lead. It was 52-39 at the end of the third and the Dutch cruised to the finish line. Head coach Derek Schulte said that it was a typical tournament basketball game and he was glad his guys had enough to come out on top.

“We faced a team that was physical and a team that was not going to shy away from that moment. It takes four quarters in a game where you feel like we’re close to breaking it open, but every time Carlisle responded. Overall, I’m proud of how our guys played, specifically in the second half. We cleaned it up in terms of valuing the basketball as we had eight assists and only four turnovers in the second half. That was good to see, and we gave ourselves some second chance points which is always a big thing for us.”

In addition to his 17 points, Schulte grabbed a game high eight rebounds as the Dutch had a 41-26 advantage on the glass. Jack McGuire scored 15 for Pella, Brayden Traetow added 13 and Luke Hardman scored 11.

Pella is now 13-9 on the season and will play third-seeded Clarke at home on Thursday night in the substate semifinals. The Indians knocked off Chariton 67-51 last night.