Buchheit leads Pella High past Centerville

Mike Helle

Nathan Buchheit had a team high 22 points and eight rebounds as the Pella boys’ basketball team topped Centerville 83-51 Monday night, in a first round district game. The Dutch will now play Knoxville in a district semi-final tonight (Thursday) at Oskaloosa.

Buchheit was the offensive catalyst for Pella in the first two quarters. He scored 18 points in the first half. The Dutch led 24-8 after the first quarter and 40-22 at the half.

Pella put the game out of reach when they out scored the Big Red 18-8 in the third quarter, and increased their lead to 58-30. The starters took a seat as the reserves scored 25 points in a fast paced fourth quarter.

Pella coach Mark Core said that there was a lot that he was pleased with. “I thought that we had really good defensive intensity,” stated Coach Core. “We forced a fast pace on Centerville and that caused them to turn the ball over several times.”

Core was also pleased with his offense. “I thought that we were really unselfish on the offensive end of the floor. We passed the ball really well and the guys really looked to get each other good shots. The rhythm and pace on offense was great. Everyone was getting good looks at the basket.”

Everyone in uniform scored for Pella scored. Besides Buchheit the only other player to hit double figures for the Dutch was Decker Lynch with 10. Matt Dowie, Matt Meyers, and Nick Dorman each scored seven points. Dowie led the team in assists with six. Others scoring for the little Dutch were Kyle Newendorp and Chris Bandstra six points, Blaine Forsythe five points, Josh Pringle, Rick Williamson, and Teag Klyn four points each, and Spencer Boeyink one point. Newendorp also had a solid night on the boards pulling down seven rebounds.

Pella is now 18-3 on the season. Centerville finished at 8-12.

Pella will now face the Knoxville Panthers tonight (Thursday) at 7 p.m. in Oskaloosa in the Class 3A District Championship Game.

The district winner will play again Monday, March 1 at 7 p.m. in the 3A Substate game at S.E. Polk High School.

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