After a rough stretch filled with injuries and difficult losses, a fully healthy Pella Christian boys basketball team toppled the top-ranked team in Class 3A as the Eagles defeated Norwalk 71-68 in an instant classic heard live on the KRLS2 stream.

Pella Christian held off a career night from the state’s leading scorer, as Bowen Born scored 55 points to hold serve with the Eagles’ balanced attack. After Pella Christian tied the game at the buzzer before the half with a long shot from Jack Vermeer, the teams were tied or changed leads 11 times in the 2nd half. The Eagles held off several late attempts from Norwalk to win the game.

Vermeer says it was the signature win this Eagles team has been searching for ever since their thrilling victory over Pella in December, and showed how deep and balanced they’ve become.

“Man, it was crazy, to know we haven’t beat this team in two years,” he says. “It’s incredible and I love these guys, and it was a hard-fought, team win and everyone stepped up when they needed to.”

Vermeer scored 13 points, as did Dan Jungling. Josh Van Gorp scored 15 points and collected 15 rebounds, and Keean Cadwell added eight points, nabbed 10 rebounds, and dished six assists.

This came after the Pella Christian girls held a 21-20 lead at the half in what became a tough 48-36 loss. While the Eagles opened with a 14-9 advantage after the 1st quarter, their offense went cold in the 3rd frame, as the Warriors pulled ahead to a double-figure lead they wouldn’t give up. Allison Van Gorp finished with 17 points, 14 rebounds, and Chloe Morgan added 15 points and three steals.

Pella Christian’s boys improved to 9-5 overall and 4-4 in the conference, while the Eagles girls fall to 2-13 and 1-7 in league play.