The Perry Bluejay basketball team will travel to Des Moines tonight for a Class 3A opening round battle with top ranked Pella in a 8:15 tip at the Wells Fargo Arena. Perry will be making its first trip to state since winning it all in 1988. Pella will be making their second straight trip to state and the 15th overall in their rich program history. Pella enters tonight’s game ranked number one in the AP poll with a 22-1 record and the only loss coming to 4A West Des Moines Valley.
“We know this will be our toughest test of the season,” smiled Head Coach Ned Menke. “Pella is balanced and they are fundamentally sound. They are so unique offensively in the fact that they have a lot of guys who can beat you in different ways. You can’t just focus on one or two guys because all 5 of them can step up and beat you in different ways.”
The Little Dutch offense is spread out across the board with 4 starters hitting above thirty percent from 3-point land. But what might be more scary for the Bluejays is the shut down defense that Pella can play.
“They come right at you defensively. They love to trap the point and utilize the run and jump and try to get you in trapped in difficult spots on the court. Now our advantage will be the experience we have in the back court in Shammond Ivory. I have complete confidence that he will be able to handle the situation.”
Perry has peaked at the right time and is confident heading into tonight’s game with the Dutch. The Bluejays have secured post season wins against Dallas Center Grimes, Boone and Glenwood to earn their shot tonight.
“There will be 2 key areas that we will need to win tonight. The first is we need to shoot more free throws than Pella. Sure we need to make them but I feel the team that shoots more free throws will indicate who was the aggressive one in tonight’s game. Our guards have to attack. The second area we need to win is on the glass. Pella is a very good rebounding team. They go right after you especially on the offensive glass. We need to limit their second chances while at the same time keep Kyle and Janier grabbing second and third looks for us.”
Perry will hold a large pep rally this morning at the Perry Sports Pavilion beginning at 10:20 am. Members of the 1988 state team will be in town to address the crowd along with a number of fun activities for the kids. Tonight’s pregame show will begin at 7:30 on KDLS with tip off at 8:15. Shawn Kenney and Aaron Kautzky will have the call.