Pella is one step away from the school’s 19th ever state boys basketball tournament appearance and first since winning it all in 2021 when they head to Indianola to take on Winterset in the 3A substate finals this evening.

The last best chance the Dutch had to dance in the elite eight of Iowa was in this same round in the same location against the same foe in 2022, when Pella fell to the Huskies in the round of 16.

A much different group of athletes will represent their respective schools tonight, which for Winterset, is paced by a trio of strong scorers and their strong zone defense, according to Pella Head Coach Derek Schulte.

“They’ve got great guard play and quickness in that zone, it’s a different type of zone,” he says. “They do have one big that gives them some length there, but their zone isn’t about the length of [Pella Christian], it’s their quickness and about them being active.”

The Dutch are seeking their third state appearance with Schulte at the helm and of this current decade. Coverage from Indianola for Pella/Winterset boys substate basketball begins at 6:30 this evening on 92.1 KRLS.