IT was a positive weekend for the new-look Mount Gambier Pioneers in their first pre-season hit out for 2019 prior to the Premier League season tips off.
The side hosted three other teams at the annual Millicent Four Team Challenge, with two wins and a loss from its efforts.
But the big news to come from the weekend was the return of Brad Rathjen to full-time Pioneers duties.
In what coach Richard Hill described as “a huge coup” for the club, Rathjen last week decided to give away football and concentrate on basketball again.
“That is massive for us,” he said.
“He stepped in Saturday night after one training session with us and was really good.”
Hill has always placed big raps on Rathjen, once describing him as one of the best talents in the region.
Rathjen gave up basketball to play football full time for East Gambier, but from time to time popped up with the Lakers to lend a hand and always performed at a high level.
“He is a pretty good footballer, but I think he is as better basketball player,” Hill said.
“Because he is a good athlete he picked up football really well, but he grew up playing basketball and is a natural basketballer.
“I always kept the lines of communication open with him and talked regularly.
“I think the time was right for him to come back and he is ready to go.”
Apart from the return of Rathjen, the Pioneers squad on the weekend also included Kyle Tipene and Lachie Hunter.
Tipene is set to head off to Queensland, while Hunter is bound for Adelaide, but both were available on the weekend.
The Pioneers are still waiting the arrival of Kentrell Barkley from the USA, along with Sam Daly, who is due once the Sydney Kings’ season is done in the NBL.
“We had a bit of help from Kyle and Lachie and I managed to get all the young guys on the court,” Hill said.
“Matt Black played a fair bit and played well and Brayden Ousey had three good games.
“Those two guys showed they can play at that level, which gives us a little bit of depth.”
Hill said American DayJar Dickson played as expected, with some solid work around the basket, especially in the first two games, while Tom Daly and Erik Burdon were their usual impressive selves.
Daly managed 20+ points per game, while Burdon had a big outing Saturday night, with 27 points up to three-quarter time.
“Eze (Burdon) had a terrific Saturday night – he hit six or seven threes,” Hill said.
“He will have more of a scoring role in this team, with more opportunity to score and he is more than capable of having a big night out.
“Tom was rusty but still a high-quality player.
“I think Tom and Eze will be as good as any player in Adelaide apart from some imports.”
Overall Hill said he was pleased with the first hit out for the side, considering it is still two players short from the regular roster.
“We played pretty well considering,” he said.
“The first game against Woodville we were down about 13 or 14, then got back and had a shot at tying it.
“The second game against Werribee we won comfortably and Eze shot the lights out.
“The third game against South Adelaide we won reasonably comfortably.
“Tom, DayJar and Eze haven’t played a proper game of basketball for ages so it was good for them.”
The Pioneers head off to Adelaide this weekend for two more pre-season games, before the Premier League season tips off on March 2.
RESULTS
Friday night: Woodville Warriors d Mount Gambier Pioneers 85-82; South Adelaide Panthers d Werribee Devils 92-52.
Saturday: South Adelaide Panthers d Woodville Warriors 100-93 in overtime; Mount Gambier Pioneers d Werribee Devils 108-80.
Sunday: Mount Gambier Pioneers 87 d South Adelaide Panthers 75; Woodville Warriors 96 d Werribee Devils 70.
