The Pella Christian Eagles are set to begin their 13th ever trip to Wells Fargo Arena for boys basketball tournament action tonight.

They will face 25-0 Dike New-Hartford in the late game at 8;15 p.m. in Des Moines.

Head Coach Larry Hessing is preparing for a Wolverines team that wants to move up and down the court in a flurry.

“They really like to push the basketball,” he says. “One coach described it as run and gun, I don’t know if I’d agree with the gun so much, but they definitely want to push the basketball, and so transition defense will be a real key for us.”

Hessing tells KNIA/KRLS Sports his Eagles also have to be ready to test the depth of a well-rounded number one seed.

“They play 10, 12 guys with no problem,” he says. “They have a point guard that makes the team go, they have solid post players, and they have good athletes on the floor in all of their positions.”

Connor Neuroth is their leader on the floor, dishing 160 assists and snagging 74 steals.

Pella Christian has won eight in a row to earn the trip to state for the 2nd straight year and 10th time with Coach Hessing at the helm.

Our coverage begins at 7:55 p.m. on 92.1 KRLS with Andrew Schneider and Wynne Veenstra.