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Dingeman Twins Speak at Postgame Rally
Dingeman Twins Speak at Postgame Rally
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One team, one journey — its how the Pella Lady Dutch described their 2016 basketball campaign, one that ended on the last possible day.

Unfortunately for the girls, the journey came to a bittersweet end when they fell 51-44 to Mason City to finish 2nd place in the Class 4A State Tournament in a game heard live on KRLS.

Pella fell behind by seven after first-half shooting struggles, but made a furious rally to tie the game in the 3rd and eventually take a brief one-point lead.

But a switch to zone defense by Mason City late stopped any offensive momentum for Pella, and the Mohawks clinched the game with two huge threes by the Mohawk’s Meyer Sisters.

Assistant Coach Wade Van Vark told KNIA/KRLS Sports after the game it was hard to fall with a championship so close, but says the team has every reason to hold their heads high.

“They’re all tough, but when you make it to this level and you get this close, it hurts,” Van Vark says. “Only one team gets to end their season with a win, and we were the last standing so the girls have so much to be proud of.”

Ciara Buchheit finished with 14 points, five rebounds, and a pair of assists. Juniors Kiara Bradley and Katie Vander Molen were selected to the all-tournament team.

The well-tested Mohawks proved to have an edge with future Iowa Hawkeye Mackenzie Meyer, who dropped 25 points on the Dutch D depsite some tough play from Pella defenders.

Pella High finishes as runners-up in Class 4A, and ends the season at 23-3, including a 21-game winning streak leading up to the title game. They will say farewell to the Dingeman twins.

Team receives standing ovation from Cabaret crowd.
Team receives standing ovation from Cabaret crowd.
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