Iowa Class 3A Mid-Season Title Favorites: Pella

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A series of at least three schools per class that have the best chance at winning the state title. Now wrapped up with 4A, we move one class smaller to 3A. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Case for the Dutch:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pella has been one of the better teams in central Iowa to start the season. With a record of 15-2 to start the year, the Dutch have beaten, even blown out, other title contenders in 3A, plus even some 4A squads alike. The only losses they've taken so far this season came at the hands of 4A Waukee, and an upset at the hands of Oskaloosa. On Tuesday night, the Dutch a rematch with the only 3A program to hand them a loss this season, where they can right their previous wrong of an 81-79 loss to the Indians on Tuesday night. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the Dutch, their senior tandem of [player_tooltip player_id='2413561' first='Austin' last='Schulte'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2120763' first='Jack' last='McGuire']. Schulte, the lead guard, is putting up 17.6 points, along with 7.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.2 steals per game. McGuire, on the other hand, just two inches taller and holding down the small forward position, is averaging 16.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks per game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The senior duo puts up the majority of the shots for the Dutch, as they're the only two on the roster that have put up at least 130 shots this season. Both relatively efficient scorers, Schulte shoots 50.2% from the field, 39.1% from three and 72% from the free throw line, while McGuire is shooting 62.7% from the field, 37% from deep and 78.4% from the stripe. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The third scorer on this senior-laden squad, [player_tooltip player_id='3255121' first='Harrison' last='Mullens'] provides some length, explosion and serious athleticism that the Dutch need. A South Dakota State football commit at wide receiver, Mullens uses the same pass-catching skill set on the court to put up 9.2 points per game while shooting 39.6% from the three-point line. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A deep rotation, too, the Dutch can out-run and out-last opponents, as ten players on their roster have seen the court in 15 or more games this season, with eight playing in all 17 games. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With their two top scorers, a complimentary athlete to help score in other ways and make things difficult on opposing offenses, <em>plus </em>a plethora of experience on the roster, the Dutch could take on and defeat almost any team in 3A. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->