Quarterfinals: The boy’s basketball team shut down the undefeated Monticello Panthers to move on into the semifinals of the IAHSAA State Tournament. In the first quarter, the Dutch gained a lead of 15 to 5 and never looked back. The third quarter saw the Panthers cut the lead back down to a one-score game. The Dutch were able to go into the fourth and score the most points in any quarter that game with 18, ending the Panther’s undefeated season and hopes of continuing on in the tournament. A highlight of the game was in the fourth quarter when junior Parker Elder cut through the Panthers defense and slammed the nail in the coffin with a massive dunk which made the crowd go ballistic. 

Final Score: Pella 59, Monticello 46. 

Semifinals: After defeating Monticello in the quarters the Dutch had to face the team that sent them home last year, the Sergent-Bluff Luton Warriors, but this year it was the Dutch who sent the Warriors home and continued into the first championship game since 2010.

 “We were really confident going into the game because we were a much better defense this year, and most of our guys had experience playing in the Well, so we were more comfortable and confident.”, said Coach Geoff Buchanan. 

The Dutch were down 0 – 5 for the first minute of the game but came back and ended the first quarter with a lead of 10 – 5. They never trailed again.  They continued to extend the lead from 5 points to 14 points in the fourth quarter. The highlight of the game goes to juniors Karl Miller and Parker Elder when in the final 5 seconds  Elder blocked a 3 point shot and Miller rebounded and scored a buzzer-beater layup to end the third quarter. 

Final Score: Pella 46, Sergeant-Bluff Luton 32

Championship Game: In the state championship the Dutch faced top-ranked Ballard. The last time these two met the Bombers came out on top, but this time the Dutch stood tall as Class 3A State Champions.

 “This was a great way to finish.” Coach Derek Schulte said. 

After the first quarter, the Dutch were up 15-11 and never stopped leading. Junior Noah Allen was the player of the game after coming off the bench and scoring 19 total points, with less than two minutes left he buried the coffin with a 3 pointer. After the game, Miller and senior Grant Nelson were named to the Class 3A All-Tournament Team. Nelson was named team captain for his performance throughout the tournament.  At the Well, he scored a total of 46 points with an FT percentage of 80%. 

Final Score: Pella 68, Ballard 59