By Lachlan Onions
THE Mount Gambier Pioneers women’s team will take to the floor at Wulanda for the final time in the regular season this weekend.
With just three rounds left in the campaign, every win is vital as the Pioneers look to not only solidify a top four spot, but also potentially sneak into the top two.
The Pioneers will have a rare home double-header for Round 12 of NBL1 South action with two games to be played at the Wulanda Centre this weekend.
The first game will be a prime-time clash against the undefeated Bendigo Braves on Friday night at 6pm.
This will then be followed by a game against the Dandenong Rangers at 12pm on Sunday.
Mount Gambier’s blockbuster clash against Bendigo is one not to be missed between two of the juggernauts of the competition.
The Braves hold top spot on the NBL1 South conference ladder with 17 wins from 17 games, while the Pioneers are third with 12 wins from 16 games.
In this titan matchup, the Pioneers will need to expunge the impact of Kelly Wilson and Megan McKay.
McKay is one of the best rebounders in the competition and averages 24.88 points and 11.56 boards per game.
She has been one of the most consistent performers for the conference leaders and has scored less than 20 points on just one occasion this season.
For this contest, captain Cassandra Brown will be the likely player to matchup with McKay but if Zitina Aokuso is fit, then she could also face-off with her as well.
At guard, Wilson is a versatile threat and averages a double-double every game with 10.88 points and 11.41 assists.
She has also recorded two triple-doubles this season as well.
For the Pioneers, Miela Goodchild has taken the competition by storm this season in her first year at the Blue Lake City.
Goodchild is second in the conference for points per game with 26.67.
However, she has been out the last two games so the Pioneers may not have her as a weapon on the offensive end this weekend.
Even if Goodchild is unavailable, the Pioneers will not have a lack of options on the attacking end as was proven last week when Brown scored an impressive 39 points which included a monster 11 three-pointers.
Meanwhile, Isabella Brancatisano, Sherrie Calleia and Haliegh Reinoehl have all been consistent performers and average more than 10 points per game.
Looking at the Sunday game, the Pioneers will play a Dandenong Rangers side which has won nine of 18 games this season.
The Pioneers will look to limit the impact of Sarah Boothe, Nyadiew Puoch and Amber Smith who all enter this game in solid form.
Mount Gambier will head into the second game as favourites but the Friday night clash could go either and the Pioneers will need the Wulanda crowd on their side to bring home a win in what is likely a prelude for finals.
