Pioneers Continue Preseason Preparation with Weekend Hit-Outs

The Mount Gambier Pioneers programs continued their preparations for the upcoming 2026 NBL1 South season with a pair of preseason contests across the weekend, with the Castec Rural Pioneers taking on Geelong United in Portland on Saturday before the OneFortyOne Pioneers faced the North Adelaide Rockets in Keith on Monday.

 

Saturday 7 March – Portland Basketball Association

The Castec Rural Pioneers travelled to Portland on Saturday for a valuable preseason matchup against Geelong United, as the men’s squad continued building chemistry and evaluating rotations ahead of Round 1.

 

Due to injurt and roster changes the Pioneers rotated through a number of players during the contest, with a greater oppurtunity being provided to our extended roster and local development players.

 

The preseason clash provided another strong test for the group, with both sides using the opportunity to experiment with combinations and build game rhythm. While the result went Geelong’s way, the fixture served as an important step in the Pioneers’ preparation as the squad continues to fine-tune its structure ahead of the season.

 

Monday 9 March – Keith Basketball Association

The OneFortyOne Pioneers delivered a dominant performance on Monday afternoon, defeating the North Adelaide Rockets 86–51 in a strong preseason showing in Keith.

 

Mount Gambier set the tone early, racing out to a 24–9 lead at quarter time before continuing to extend the margin throughout the game. The Pioneers controlled the contest at both ends of the floor, taking a 45–23 advantage into halftime before pushing the lead further in the third quarter.

 

By the final change, Mount Gambier had stretched the score to 72–38, before closing out the game with an 86–51 victory.

 

Quarter progression:

• Q1 – 24–9

• Q2 – 45–23

• Q3 – 72–38

• Q4 – 86–51

 

The win featured contributions across the lineup, with local players Scarlett Zalme, McKenzie Burke, Edie Easterby all seeing valuable minutes in the pre season match up. New recruits Carla Pitman, Gracie Champion and Lara Edmanson played strong whilst it was the clubs first oppurtunity to see Kelsey Rees and Tilly Boler in a Pioneers uniform.

 

Focus Shifts Toward the NBL1 South Blitz for both our teams this coming weekend.

 

With 2 preseason games for both our women’s and men’s programs that will continue to provide valuable preperation minutes for our teams.

 

Both Pioneers programs will take confidence from the weekend’s performances as preparations intensify for the start of the 2026 NBL1 South season.

 

All hit-outs have allowed both squads to continue building cohesion, sharpen their systems and gain valuable game exposure as they edge closer to Round 1.