Photo courtesy of Mason Westerkamp

A well-balanced scoring effort and dominant defense was more than enough for the Pella Christian girls basketball team to cruise past Davis County for a 70-19 season-opening win heard live on 92.1 KRLS.

The Eagles got off to a great start in their first game of the winter, holding the Mustangs scoreless in the opening eight minutes to claim an 18-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, Davis County managed to score 14 points, but Pella Christian added 19 of their own to push the advantage to 37-19 at halftime. The second half was all Eagles, as they outscored the Mustangs 33-5 in the final 16 minutes to secure the blowout victory. Defensively, Pella Christian limited Davis County to making just 18.4% of their shots, while also forcing 31 turnovers in the game. The Eagles knocked down 46.4% of their shots in the contest, and had three players score in double figures with two more girls one point shy of double digit points. 

Chloe Snyder posted a game-high 16 points on 6-of-12 shooting for Pella Christian, while Addie Van Arendonk had 12 points on five of eight shooting. Faith Kacmarynski added 10 points in the win, while Jessa De Vries and Ava Breems contributed nine points apiece. Rachel Kacmarynski recorded seven points and five steals, Brynn Runner had two points and seven rebounds, and Sophia Slagter added five points and four rebounds in her Eagles debut. Snyder said the Eagles’ passing was a big factor in how well they played offensively.

“I think we did well at driving, driving and passing out to the easy pass instead of trying to get it down into the post when it’s not working. We also did really well at trying to get it into the post but when they pass it out, try to go back in because that’s when the coaches say that’s usually when they’re open the most. So, I would just say we did a really good job of being selfless and passing to the person with the open shot.”

Hear more about the win from Chloe Snyder on Monday’s Lely Radio Sports Page. Pella Christian opens the season 1-0 and will look to build on Saturday’s momentum on the road at Class 1A #3 Montezuma on Tuesday.