MOUNT Gambier Pioneers rose to the occasion Saturday night, claiming their third South East Australian Basketball League national title in four years, with a hard-fought win over Dandenong Rangers.
Played at the Kilsyth Sports Centre in Melbourne, the Pioneers were forced to work to the final buzzer before securing the victory and becoming one of the most successful franchises in SEABL history.
The Pioneers have been to the last five national championship games, losing the first to the Rangers, then making amends for that loss Saturday night.
But the win did not come easy, despite a 19-point advantage early in the final stanza.
The Rangers simply kept coming, closing the margin to four points mid-way through the term.
But coach Richard Hill was able to rally his troops and regain control to claim the seven-point victory.
Hill said he was proud of his team to be able to win such a tight contest.
Talking to The Border Watch post-game, Hill said he was still taking in Saturday night’s success, but looking back he said it was a great effort over the last five years.
“I was talking to the guys about what we have been able to achieve, which is pretty special,” he said.
“When you look at it, we’ve played 15 playoff games in the last five years and won 13 of them.
“That is a pretty amazing statistic.
“If you play 15 regular season games and win 13 you get pretty excited.
“It isn’t easy, every game has been tough, they are not gifted, you have to go and win them.”
Reflecting on that success, Hill said it was an amazing effort over a long period, with Saturday night’s victory simply the icing on the cake.
He said that success came from the quality of people on the court.
“From my point of view it took a long time to quantify what we had actually done Saturday night,” he said.
“On Sunday we were in the airport at Melbourne and just chatting, then we got on the plane and look, the quality of these guys is just outstanding.
“They are not carrying on, they are just level.
“I think they will have their day and get on the gas as young men do, but I just look at them and think how lucky I am to be coaching a group of guys you don’t ever have to worry about.
“We go to great lengths to bring the right people in, but they are really good quality people and that is why they get good results.”
Hill said while the team showed a domination of the competition over a long period of time, specifically this season, he felt some people may not appreciate what efforts it took to remain at the pointy end of the field.
“If you look at the winning percentage of games – this year 21 and three in the regular season, a couple of season’s ago it was 20 and four – we’ve had enormous winning streaks,” he said.
“Some people would say we just have a really good team, but from my point of view we have a great culture of hard work and willingness to prepare for every game.
“Yes we have some good players, but every team has good players.
“If you play badly in some of those games, you’re done, you’re out, but we’ve just been able to keep winning all of those games.
“A lot have been on our home court, but a lot have been away.
“You don’t win championships on your home court, you have to go away and win them.”
When it was suggested the Pioneers were the most successful team in the SEABL competition, Hill’s response was quick and decisive.
“There wouldn’t be a more successful SEABL team, I’m absolutely certain of that,” he said.
“We have had unbelievable success.
“You can only compare SEABL teams with SEABL teams, but I’m not sure if too many teams in any sport or any league have been able to do what we have, to stay up for as long as we have.”
That success has built a solid platform for the future of the club, which Hill said was something special for the region.
“That core group of guys have been in every one of those finals, while some of the other guys have come in,” he said.
“Players like Luke Jamieson have come in the last two years and he has won five of six playoff games.
“Kane deWit has now been in all three national titles.
“As a 16 year old coming into the group then being part of it all, that has been pleasing for him.
“Delon Brown doesn’t get to play much, but he’s been a key part of what we do.
“He’s been there for four of those.”
Overall Hill said it was now time to sit back enjoy what the team had achieved.
“It has been a terrific run,” he said.
“We need to enjoy the spoils and reflect on how good it has been and what we have actually achieved.
“Every one of those games has been on the edge and we have been able to come through when it really mattered.”
