The 2021 State 3A Boys Basketball Champions. Photo by the IHSAA

While the focus will certainly be on the intense rivalry that has formed between Pella and Newton on the floor, a bit of history will be recognized along the way tonight at Pella High School.

Between the girls and boys clashes with the Dutch and Cardinals, the 2021 state boys basketball champions will return to be recognized. Perhaps the honor is fitting in a season where the current edition of the Dutch are ranked 3rd in Class 3A and have their own goals of climbing to the top of the mountain in March. Five years ago, Pella claimed its third basketball title with victories over Ballard, Sergeant Bluff-Luton, and Monticello. Led by Grant Nelson (17.4 ppg), Karl Miller (15.7 ppg), and Noah Allen (12.3 ppg), the Dutch were 25-2 that winter.

In the meantime, the current edition of the Dutch basketball teams are in different spots as the postseason looms in a few short weeks. The Pella girls have lost five games in a row and hope the 8-6 Cardinals are the remedy. The Dutch dominated Newton in the first matchup this winter by a 53-23 score. Addyson Cibula leads the road team tonight with 9.7 points and 10.6 rebounds per game.

The Dutch boys seem to be surging into the postseason, having won six games in a row after blowing by Des Moines North on Monday. A different looking Newton team arrives tonight, as 4A Football Player of the Year Caden Klein returns from his early season injury. The Dutch had no issues with the Cardinals in December, winning that game 72-44.

Live coverage of Pella basketball begins at 5:45 this evening on 92.1 KRLS and Pella Dutch Live.