Mount Gambier Pioneers | NBL1 South Round 2 Recap

The Mount Gambier Pioneers opened the clubs first weekend of home games for the 2024 with a double header against the Frankston Blues & Ballarat Miners at the weekend.

Both Frankston and Ballarat have made big changes to their rosters in the off season with a number of National level players and Olympians representing their respective rosters.

Saturday 13th of April OneFortyOne Pioneers V Frankston Blues

The OneFortyOne Pioneers took advantage early leading the Frankston Blue by 7 at the end of the first quarter and then extended the lead to 11 by half time.

In the second half the Pioneers were able to extend their lead through second chance points with Zitina Aokuso and Haliegh Reinoehl causing the blues a lot of trouble on the glass with the Pioneers out rebounding the Blues 39 to 46 by the end of the fourth quarter.

The Pioneers shared the basketball well with all starting five scoring double figures and sharing the basketball for 23 total team assists. Haliegh Reinoehl led the Pioneers in scoring finishing the game with 24 points whilst Isabella Brancatisano and Zitina Aokuso added 17 and 15.

For Frankston Louise Brown led scorers with 17 points and Opals squad members Stephanie Reid added 13 points.

Final Score: OneFortyOne Pioneers 85 V Frankston Blues 53

Saturday 13th of April Castec Rural Pioneers V Frankston Blues

After starting round one with a perfect record on the road the Castec Rural Pioneers hosted a Frankston Blues team that many predict to be early favourites for this seasons Championship.

The last time these two teams met was last year’s thrilling semi-final that went to double over time.

The Frankston Blues came out of the blocks with the Pioneers allowing a 16-point head start and finished the quarter shooting 87.5% from the three-point line. Finishing the first quarter down 19 points 19 to 38.

In the second quarter the Pioneers weathered the storm outscoring the Blues 26 to 14. Following on to win the final three quarters and win the game 93 to 87.

Dylan Marshall scored 23 points, whilst Nick Marshall and Austin Shelley added 15 each.

For the Blues last years league MVP Dan Trist led all scorers with 27 points and 10 rebounds whilst Tasmanian Jack Jumper Lachlan Barker scored 16 points.

Final Score: Castec Rural Pioneers 93 V Frankston Blues 87

Sunday 14th of April OneFortyOne Pioneers V Ballarat Miners

After an important first win on our home floor for season 2024 the evening before the OneFortyOne Pioneers hosted a new look Ballarat Miners team at Wulanda on Sunday afternoon.

The first quarter saw the two team exchange baskets going back and forth before the Pioneers took a 34-to-29-point lead into the second half.

Ballarat Miners forwards including WNBL star Alex Bunton and Australian Opal Chloe Bibby were proving to be a tough cover for the Pioneers to make it difficult at both ends of the court.

Whilst Mount Gambier’s own Australian Opal continued to show why she has been selected in preparation for Paris as Zitina Aokuso took control of the game in the second half finishing the game with 30 points and 7 rebounds.

American Sammy Fatkin supported well with 12 points and 14 rebounds whilst Sherrie Calleia added 14 points.

Final Score: OneFortyOne Pioneers 67 V Ballarat Miners 64

Sunday 14th of April Castec Rural PioneersV Ballarat Miners

Final Score: Castec Rural Pioneers 85 V Ballarat Miners 53

The Castec Rural Pioneers backed up their second game of a home double header against the Ballarat Miners.

The first quarter was heavily contested with both teams playing a free-flowing high scoring game across the first half.  Nick Marshall At the end of the first half the Pioneers led Ballarat by one point.

Ballarat proved to be too strong in the second half as the Miners put a stop to Nick Marshalls first half heroics and the Pioneers struggled to contain their offence down the stretch.

Nick Marshall finished the game with 29 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists for the Pioneers. Whilst Tyler Rudolph led all scorers with 31 points and Luke Rosendale 22 points.

Final Score: Castec Rural Pioneers 94 V Ballarat Miners 105