THE Mount Gambier Pioneers men returned from their debut in the Basketball SA Premier League with split results over the weekend, as they challenged a double header in hot conditions to kick off the season.
A loss to North Adelaide Rockets started the round on Saturday night, while a solid victory over Sturt Sabres on Sunday saw the Pioneers return home with a level record to start the year.
In a tough first game the Pioneers went down to the Rockets 80-65.
They will be a team to beat this season and Pioneers coach Richard Hill said he expected it to be a tough opener to the season.
“We got sort of what I expected,” he said.
“North Adelaide are very good and we were a bit under-prepared.
“They beat us very comfortably on Saturday night.
“They are going to be one of the top couple of teams, I don’t think they will lose too many games.”
In the end it was the second term which let the Pioneers down, with scores level at 21-all at the first change.
“The second quarter was the one that killed us,” Hill said.
“I think we were 13 or 14 points down by half time, then it was just sort of an arm wrestle after that.
“They were just too good for us on the night.”
Captain Tom Daly top scored with 23 points, while American import Kentrell Barkley kicked off what was an impressive debut, after he only arrived in the country last Wednesday.
Barkley put jet lag and lack of team practice behind him to score 12 points on Saturday, before a game-high 24 on Sunday.
That match saw the Pioneers bounce back from Saturday’s loss to claim a solid 101-65 point win over the Sabres, who according to Hill were “young and a little undermanned”.
A consistent effort across the board saw four players in double figures, while the majority of others were only a shot away from the same milestone.
Not only did Barkley top score, but he finished the game with a double double, while only spending 20 minutes on the court.
With 24 points for the match, Barkley top scored in the convincing win, while also managed an equally impressive 13 rebounds – five offensive and eight defensive.
His statistics also included one assist, three steals and a block.
Hill was most impressed by his efforts, especially considering the drastic change in climate he was forced to adjust to as well.
“Considering he only got here late Wednesday and to come from snow in Salt Lake City to 42 degree heat in Adelaide, that is a massive thing to deal with,” Hill said.
“He dealt with it really well and his energy levels have been high – although every time we look at him he’s been asleep in between.
“But when he has been on court he has been really really good.
“He will be a really good player for us.”
Rathjen was also impressive with 15 points against the Sabres, while Erik Burdon found a couple of trademark three-point bombs to finish with 14.
Also in double figures was Kyle Tipene, who stuck around to help the side out before he heads up north.
Hill said it was a real team effort on Sunday, with few passengers.
“Everyone contributed and pretty much everyone got on the scoreboard,” he said.
“We had a really good contribution from the young guys.
“Braiden Ousey and Lachie Hunter were both good and even Matt Black came in and gave us a little bit of punch off the bench.”
Hill was also pleased with Rathjen’s performance over the weekend and said he was probably the best player across the two games.
Looking ahead to the next hit out, a bye this weekend will give the team time to gel, with Sam Daly an exciting inclusion after the Sydney Kings were knocked out of the NBL playoffs.
With two weeks to prepare, Hill said it appears “all is heading in the right direction”, with the round three clash against reigning premiers Southern Tigers to be the first home game for the Pioneers.
“We should have a full squad for that and we will be playing last year’s championship team, Southern Tigers,” Hill said.
“It will be a huge game for us, but we have two weeks to prepare for it.”
