Pella Christian’s boys basketball team used their bench to great effect against a red-hot shooting A-D-M team in the 2016-17 season opener with a 75-68 victory heard live on 92.1 KRLS.

The Eagles scored 35 points from those rotating in beyond their starting five to fend off a Tigers squad that hit seven threes in the second half.

Head Coach Larry Hessing says his ability to mix-and-match different groups of players helped the Eagles avoid lengthy offensive droughts throughout the evening.

“We are lots of people that can play,” he says. “We’ve got some interchangeable parts–guys that can play different positions, and so it comes down to matchups and going small a little bit, staying big, and just trying to figure out our best lineup.”

It was a welcome return to the hardwood for Senior David Kacmarynski, who hadn’t played competitively since Pella Christian earned 3rd place at State in March 2015.

Kacmarynski didn’t miss a beat, and showcased some additional perimeter ability in a 23-point, seven-rebound performance. Jackson Flagel tacked on 11 points and five rebounds, and Kade Vander Molen scored five of his ten points in the fourth quarter to help seal the win.

Pella Christian is 1-0 and begins the conference season Friday at home against Oskaloosa in a doubleheader with the 3-0 girls.