THE annual four-team challenge will be held for its 15th consecutive year at the Peter Seebohm Stadium in Millicent this weekend, with the Mount Gambier Pioneers the big draw card.
With competition from Friday to Sunday, the event will see the Pioneers joined by the Woodville Warriors, which is returning after last years’ tournament.
The South Adelaide Panthers will make a return to the event after a one-year break, while the Eltham Wildcats will be introduced into the competition.
The tournament provides the ideal platform for the Pioneers to gain some valuable match practice before the South East Australian Basketball League season kicks off, but but also provides the same opportunity for the Adelaide-based teams, who begin their season in the coming weeks.
The Pioneers will kick proceedings off Friday at 6.30pm with a game against the Warriors, followed by the Wildcats and Panthers at 8.15pm.
Saturday will see the Warriors and Panthers go head-to-head at 6.30pm, with the Pioneers facing the Wildcats at 8.15pm.
To round out the weekend the Warriors and Wildcats tip off at 11am Sunday, followed by the Pioneers and Panthers at 12.45pm.
For Pioneers coach Richard Hill it is the perfect opportunity to put some game time into the legs of his players before heading across the border for some more practice games in the coming weeks.
Hill said while most of the team would be available, some injury concerns and other scenarios will mean the side will be a bit “skinny”.
“Most of the guys will be here, but Majok (Deng) will not be here until Adelaide has finished (in NBL playoffs), which could be some time yet,” he said.
“Chol (Luk) has some problems with an Achilles and it is unlikely Brad (Hill) will play.
“He is recovering from ankle surgery and is training, but not ready to play yet.
“We have seven of our squad, plus young Josh Murphy who played for Millicent in the CBL.”
Hill said it would the perfect chance for Murphy to have a taste the Pioneers system, while for others it would help bring the team together.
“It will give Kyle (Tipene) a chance to play a lot, young Dellon Brown does not get to play much so he will play a lot and all the other guys are in pretty good shape,” he said.
“Lewis Thomas has been training with us and Luke (Jamieson) got in last week, so it is looking good.”
It will be the 15th year of the four-team challenge, which Hill said provided good support for the Pioneers.
“It has been really good for us,” he said.
“We have to go to Geelong in a couple of week’s, then to Melbourne the week after that to get practice matches, so for our first tournament, this is very good.
“They do a good job of running it and they get some good crowds.”
