Thomas stands tall in tough season

DOUBLE HONOUR: Lewis Thomas was honoured with the best defensive player for the Pioneers during the 2018 season, along with the coveted Allan Scott AO Medal for the most valuable player. He is pictured with Jill Scott, Prue Xanthos and Libby Marcus.

IN his first season with the Mount Gambier Pioneers, Lewis Thomas was voted best defensive player and most valuable for the team, claiming the coveted Allan Scott AO Medal.

Thomas came to the Pioneers early in the pre-season this year and slotted well into his role as a big man.

Coach Richard Hill said Thomas was initially recruited to give the Pioneers a bit more firepower off the bench, but the big man soon found himself in the hot seat, with injuries early in the year that saw Majok Deng sidelined from the opening clash onwards and Brad Hill with limited game time.

Thomas again slotted well into the role, taking on the responsibility and providing plenty of highlights for the home crowd at the Icehouse along the way.

However, he said it was a bitter-sweet moment when he was announced as MVP.

“It is great winning these individual accolades, but I would much rather win the whole thing,” he said.

“I came with a goal to win and it didn’t happen, but for me it is an honour to be the best defensive and the MVP on a great team.”

Thomas told the crowd at the awards ceremony he wasn’t a flashy player, just liked to get the job done, but he certainly added to the highlight reel over the season, with some energetic dunks that had the crowd cheering.

“I play some of my best basketball when I am having fun and I really settled into it quickly,” he said.

“It is always good to get the crowd up on their feet and enjoying it.”

Thomas originally came to the Pioneers from Hobart and has played in various other cities much bigger than Mount Gambier.

However, the said the team structure here made for an enjoyable season.

“These guys are great, they are high-character people,” he said.

“They welcomed me really quickly, so it was really easy coming in to be part of the group.

“It has been an easy season in that respect.”

Thomas said despite the loss in the final game of the season, which put the Pioneers out of the playoffs, he was impressed with how focused the team remained throughout a year that was riddled with injury.

“We always had our eyes on the prize,” he said.

“You don’t want to look long term, so we just focused on the next game.

“Even when we were four and six at one stage or even worse than that – four and seven I think – we thought we would be able to get it together the next game and find it.

“It came down to the last game and we ended up losing, which was disappointing.”

Throughout much of the season the bench players were called upon to fill in for injured starters, which Thomas said showed plenty of character.

“We like to say we are 12 deep and anyone can play at any time,” he said.

“Those guys, to come in and play really well was awesome.”

Thomas said the highlight of the season was the season itself, which included the supporters the Pioneers are so well known for.

“A highlight would be the bunch of guys and Richo,” he said.

“I have also had a lot of enjoyment out of this season.

“I had a lot of fun playing with a great bunch of guys, with some great support from the community, who get around the guys no matter if we are winning or losing.”

Meanwhile, Kane deWit received the coach’s award, while Tom Daly was awarded the golden hands honour.

In other club awards Deb Bowman received the Bowden Family volunteer of the year, while Jacinta Jones received the Jason Joynes club person of the year.