The Newton boys basketball team travels to Pella tonight for a second round Class 3A Substate 7 game. It will be the third time the Cardinals have played the Dutch this season. Pella won the two prior games, 62-57 in Newton and 72-51 in Pella. Newton was out-rebounded significantly in both games. Pella had a 38 to 21 advantage in Newton, allowing the Dutch to overcome ten more turnovers than the Cardinals. In Pella, Newton grabbed 17 rebounds to the home team’s 35. The Dutch have also shot better than the Cardinals. Pella hit 52.2% of their shots in Newton and 54.9% on their home floor. Newton’s shooting percentages were only 40.4% at home and 37.3% in Pella. 

The Cardinals did have a good shooting night Monday evening in a first round 97-54 win at home over Boone. They made 37 out of 64 shots for 57.8%, and were 16 of 30 from behind the three point line for 53.3%. Newton head coach Jason Carter knows the team is capable of hitting a high percentage of their shots at any time.

“We are a streaky team. We can make baskets in a hurry. We have a lot of guys that can shoot it.”

The Cardinals are 12-10 while the Dutch are 17-6. Pella won their first round game at home over Des Moines Hoover 79-51. Tonight’s Newton basketball game against Pella can be heard live on the KRLS3 stream at kniakrls.com with pregame coverage beginning at 6:45 p.m.