10 Best: Pella (81) at Dallas Center-Grimes (74)
Grimes — In a three overtime thriller, it was Pella which was able to outlast DC-G and escape Grimes with a win, ending its regular season in gritty fashion. Brody Kleen was fantastic down the stretch for DC-G (12-7), and…
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Continue ReadingGrimes — In a three overtime thriller, it was Pella which was able to outlast DC-G and escape Grimes with a win, ending its regular season in gritty fashion.
Brody Kleen was fantastic down the stretch for DC-G (12-7), and hit a tough bucket at the end of the first overtime, sending the game to a second. Kleen fouled out in the third overtime, and DC-G had trouble finding its rhythm without him on the floor.
Donovan Holterhaus was outstanding for the Dutch (19-2), and though he fouled out in the second overtime, he finished with a game-high 22 points, which included five 3s. He also swatted a season-high six blocks.
In typical fashion, Ryan Van Wyk was the man for Pella in the final two OTs, netting seven of his 21 points when his team needed them most.
DC-G was lead by Trevor Grove, who was flashing his beautiful stroke from mid-range. Once he got going he seldom missed. The 6-foot-4 senior led the Mustangs with 19 points.
Team Scoring
Pella 14 8 18 13 (OT 9 2OT 9 3OT 10) — 81
DC-G 18 11 15 9 (OT 9 2 OT 9 3OT 3) — 74
Individual Scoring
Pella: Donovan Holterhaus 22, Ryan Van Wyk 21, Nick DeJong 12, Drew Pringle 8, Tyson Wassenaar 6, Kobe Diers 5, Nick Finney 4, Landon Vander Leest 3.
DC-G: Trevor Grove 19, Steve Borneman 12, Jordan Humphreys 11, Brody Kleen 10, Tyler Cooney 9, Damon Clapper 2, Trent Pride 1.
MVP: Donovan Holterhaus (Pella)
We came into this game expecting a dominant performance from Ryan Van Wyk, and though he was great — particularity down the stretch – it was Holterhaus who stole the show. He was a game-changer on both ends of the floor; knocking down five 3s en route a game-high 22 points, and swatting six shots — some emphatically — to change the complexion of the game definitively. He’s heading to UNI next season just to study. But he could have been a very good college player.
Play of the Game: Holterhaus Block leads to Van Wyk Bucket
Of the six Holterhaus blocks, there was one in particular that definitely stood out. He beat down a DC-G attempt late in the game — sending the Pella bench into a frenzy — and kept it in bounds. The ball was scooped up by a Dutch player and heaved to a streaking Van Wyk who put in a bucket despite a hard-foul committed against him; a thing of beauty.
Best Offensive Performance: Donovan Holterhaus
He scored more than anybody and was getting it done in a variety of ways. His five 3s were impressive, none more impressive than hos last one — a corner 3 in double OT with his team down four. The 6-foot-4 wing was also able to dish out four assists, and snare five rebounds. Holterhaus was seriously impressive in the win.
Best Defensive Performance: Donovan Holterhaus
We generally like to spread the love a little bit, especially when there were other guys who stepped up big — e.g. Ryan Van Wyk, Trevor Grove, Brody Kleen — but we can’t deny a six block performance of this honor. There were a couple blocks that stood out, and the Pella bench enjoyed them more than anyone. One of the blocks was celebrated in excess by a Dutch reserve, who jumped out of his chair so hard he knocked it over — luckily his teammate was there to pick it up for him.
Best Shooter: Trevor Grove (Dallas Center-Grimes)
Yes, we could have granted Holterhaus this one, but we have to give some other guys love too — and Grove is certainly deserving. He’s got as fluid of a stroke as I’ve seen this season, making for a beautiful shot, and a graceful look when the ball goes through the net (think Peter Jok). Most impressive, is Grove was getting it done from mid-range, he hit several shots between 12 and 18 feet, and looked very comfortable in doing so.
Best Intangibles: Nick Finney — Smart and Clutch (Pella)
He won’t blow by you, and he likely won’t out-jump you, but he plays smart; a cerebral guard, who impacts the game quietly but immensely. He was recently featured in our look at Iowa’s best assists:turnover guys, and it was clear tonight why. He’s calm under pressure, and always makes the right pass. He dished out seven assists tonight, and was clutch in triple overtime, connecting on all four of his free-throw attempts.
Best Underclassmen: Nick DeJong (Pella)
There weren’t many underclassmen on the floor tonight, but DeJong, a sophomore, was a huge difference-maker for the Dutch. He scored 12 points (all after halftime) and hauled in a game-high 13 rebounds. He’s not especially tall or bouncy, but he’s big and strong, add some coordination to a guy with his size and you have an impact player.
Big Moment Guys: Ryan Van Wyk (Pella), Brody Kleen (DC-G)
Pella’s leading scorer this season, Van Wyk had struggled some in the first half, but was instrumental down the stretch — when his team needed him most — scoring seven of his 21 points in the final two OTs.
Though Kleen fouled out early in the third OT, his team likely would not have made it so far if it wasn’t for his late-game heroics. He scored six of his 10 points in the first two OTs, and hit a tough game-tying shot at the end of the second OT to force a third.
DC-G's Brody Kleen with the tough bucket sends game vs Pella to 2OT.
Almost a 70-foot game winner too #iahsbkb pic.twitter.com/34yIwnB9RS
— TJ Rushing (@TjRushing) February 11, 2017
Story to Watch: Ryan Van Wyk Recruitment
This 6-foot-5 forward is having one of better seasons in the state, and that’s coming off the heels of a very impressive 17U offseason. He’s a versatile combo-forward, more small forward than anything, and is averaging 20.9 points on 66 percent shooting this season. He’s also pulling down 7.2 boards and dishing out 2.5 assists per game. We thought he’d get some D2 looks last summer, and he should at least have some NAIA scholarships.
Postseason Outlook
Pella starts with Saydel, and then will get either Carlisle or Nevada in a district final. If the Dutch can get through that (which they should), then it’s a likely matchup with either Grinnell or Norwalk — two teams the Dutch beat twice already this season — for a state tourney berth. DC-G will start its postseason run against Greene County on Feb. 20th. The other side of the district bracket features Webster City and Ballard. Boone, Humboldt, Perry and Gilbert loom in the adjacent district bracket.