After two heartbreaking losses to begin Little Hawkeye Conference play, the Pella boys basketball team rallied to win a nailbiter 80-79 over Norwalk, as heard live on 92.1 KRLS. The Lady Dutch fell in the opener 29-21.

For the boys, it was a familiar start to their two league losses — the Dutch jumped to an 11-point lead twice in the first twelve minutes, only for the Warriors to jump to within one point at halftime. In a second half that featured 8 different ties or lead changes, with both teams stretching to multiple possession leads, it was Pella came in clutch late.

After a Grant Nelson three to get a two-score edge, the Dutch would hang on as the Warriors tried to foul to extend the game, with Ryan Mace and Logan Shetterly combining to hit the last six free-throws of the game in a row to ice it. Head Coach Derek Schulte was proud of the team’s resolve to topple one of the best teams in Class 3A.

Nelson finished with five three-pointers and 16 points, Treyton Sturgeon added 16 points and 12 rebounds, Shetterly finished with 15 points and 8 assists, and John Oltman hit three from deep range to add 14 total points.

Unlike the high scoring nightcap, defense ruled in the Pella girls’ loss to Norwalk. The Lady Dutch scored only nine points in the second half, all coming from Madison Naig, before falling behind late and containing the Warriors’ offense throughout the contest. Head Coach Jerod Garland says while he’s excited about the strength of the team in holding games close, a lot of young players will have to develop to find more consistent scoring chances.

Pella’s boys improve to 4-2 and 1-2 in Little Hawkeye Conference competition, while the Lady Dutch drop to 4-3 overall and 2-1 in league play. Both teams are off until they travel to ADM for a doubleheader on January 4th.