The Pella High basketball teams will follow-up one challenging non-conference doubleheader with another, as they host Washington tonight. Girls’ head coach Jerod Garland says Washington has a talented squad; namely senior guard Sydney Greiner.

“They just got a really good guard, a 17-point per game guard, back from injury – Greiner – and she’s going to play in college.” said Garland. “They’re a good team; really quick and athletic, and great shooters – I think they shoot 35 percent from three-point range as a team – so we’re going to have to get out on shooters and not let them get second-chance points.”

The Lady Dutch are 9-7 overall and face a Washington squad that is 12-4, but recently lost to Oskaloosa – whom Pella defeated this past Friday night.

On the boys’ side, the Little Dutch are 8-6 on the season after falling to Dallas Center-Grimes on Saturday, and certainly aren’t looking at an easy win tonight. They face a Demons team that averages nearly 62 points per game, and shoots the ball very well – particularly from beyond the three-point arc. Pella boys’ head coach Mark Core says this is one of several games that will prepare his team for postseason play.

“We need to be tournament-ready, and the only way you get there is playing tougher teams,” said Core. “We have a Saturday night conference coming up with Harlan – which is a perennial State Tournament-caliber team – so we’re going to have plenty of challenges both inside our conference and out.”

Jamie Brockman and Randy Sikkema will provide coverage of both games – streamed live at kniakrls.com – starting at 6:00 p.m.