As the Pella High boys basketball team prepares for their newest campaign, the concentration in practice – and for the early part of the season – is again on the defense. Head coach Mark Core says when it comes to installing plays, it’s been all about stopping the opposition.

“We’re going to – defensively at least – be ready to go. We’ll be very effective defensively,” said Core. “I’m not making any promises at all about our offense. In fact, maybe the only promise I can make about our offense is that it’ll be a work in progress. But our defense will be ready to go, and that’s pretty much what we hang our hat on anyway.”

He adds that part of the flexibility in installing an offense is because much of the team’s points on offense have been a direct result of strong defensive play. The Pella High boys basketball team opens the regular season schedule next Saturday against Mount Pleasant.