Pella’s girls and boys both knocked off Oskaloosa in a Little Hawkeye Conference basketball doubleheader as heard live on 92.1 KRLS last night, with the Dutch girls winning 45-35 and the boys cruising to a 69-38 victory.

Pella’s No. 13 in 4A girls had a reworked starting lineup, missing three regular starters due to injury and illness. That allowed Emerson Wogen and Emma Walkup to start their third games of the season and Madi Harmon to start her first. Harmon took full advantage, scoring all seven of her points in a low-scoring first half as Pella built a 12-11 halftime lead.

“Knowing that we were shooting for a fundraiser tonight got me in the spirit to shoot more. And knowing that we were playing a good team playing at our level put me in a good spot to work hard and try new things.”

The lead exchanged hands several times in the third quarter before Walkup took over, scoring seven points in the frame as Pella took control for good, 31-24 heading to the fourth. Despite Osky’s Dasia Foster scoring nine of her game-high 15 points in the final eight minutes, the Indians never got closer than six and Pella held on for the victory.

Walkup’s 13 led the way for the Dutch and Kamryn Long added 11. Pella is now 13-6 on the season and 6-3 in the conference.

The No. 9 in 3A Dutch scored the first seven points in the boys game and never trailed. While Oskaloosa kept it close at 15-8 late in the opening quarter, Pella went on an extended 17-2 run to take control, building a 42-15 halftime lead and putting the running clock on when Griffin Simpson nailed a three-pointer at the third quarter buzzer.

Jack McGuire scored 13 points and Colin Kerndt added 10 as 12 Pella players scored. The Dutch are now 12-5 and 7-2 in the LHC.

Up next for both Pella squads is a home doubleheader against Pella Christian on Friday night.

FULL INTERVIEW WITH MADI HARMON: