WITH the Pioneers Basketball Club set to run a women’s team in the South Australian Premier League competition this season, the first major signing was announced today.
American Amanda Frost is set to head “down under” from California, with women’s head coach Matt Sutton excited about the announcement.
“We are rapt to welcome Amanda to the Pioneers family and make her our first signing,” he said.
“She will be a great addition to the team and our Mount Gambier community.”
The 27-year-old hails from Riverside, California and attended North Arizona University from 2011.
She averaged 22.5 points per game, 2.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists in her final season with the Lumberjacks in 2014.
She has a solid outside shot, drives hard to the basket and has good court vision, which is typified by her smart assists.
Sutton worked solidly over the Christmas break to make contact with potential international and Australian recruits to lead the team on court.
“Amanda is a proven scorer who plays with great energy on both ends of the court,” he said.
“She has a lot of experience that will be great for our local talent to be exposed to.”
In 2018 she spent time playing for the Gladstone Port City Power in the Queensland Basketball League (QBL) where she averaged 22 points per game, shooting at 46pc, with 2.94 assists.
The Pioneers Basketball Club has worked hard to secure a women’s team for the Premier League season, which tips off in early March.
Several trial’s and workouts with local players have been conducted in recent weeks in readiness for the return of a women’s program to the club.
“To have Amanda sign as our first women’s signing for 2019 is an exciting one for our club and the town,” club president Tom Kosch said.
“We are committed to making sure – like we have demonstrated in our men’s program – we bring not only quality basketballers, but quality people to be part of our community.
“We look forward to welcoming Amanda to the Pioneers family when she arrives in February.”
More signings for both the women’s and men’s programs will be announced in coming days.
