Picture: NOEL BLACK
THE Mount Gambier Pioneers will host their first Basketball SA Premier League game tomorrow night, when the men and women welcome the Southern Tigers to the Icehouse for two blockbuster games.
It will be a tough match for both teams, but the men will be thrown in the deep end, as they square up against the reigning premiers.
The Tigers men will be hungry for a win, after a bye in round one and a 15-point loss to West Adelaide Bearcats last week.
However, the Pioneers should boast a full-strength team, with the inclusion of Sam Daly bolstering the side.
Daly makes his way to the Pioneers for 2019 after his NBL commitments came to a premature end when the Sydney Kings were knocked out of the playoffs.
He will gear up to play alongside brother and Pioneers captain Tom Daly and provides further depth to the point guard position.
His inclusion should see the Pioneers with a strong and flexible starting five, which is well assisted by several talented juniors who provide some punch off the bench.
In round one it was American import Kentrell Barkley and returned Pioneer Brad Rathjen who impressed, with the former scoring a double-double in both games.
That was after just days in the country and with the team, in addition to a drastic change in climate, coming from snow in Salt Lake City to Adelaide’s scorching 40-plus degree heat.
However, Barkley took it in his stride to score 12 points and pull in 13 rebounds in his debut game against North Adelaide Rockets, before a standout performance the following day against the Sturt Sabres.
That saw him with a game-high 24 points and 13 rebounds to help the Pioneers to their first win for the season and an even win-loss record after round one.
Barkley will be out to make an impact again, while Rathjen will look for another consistent performance, which saw him as one of the best players for his team over the double-header round.
A bye in round two has provided the team with more time to gel and it should be better prepared for tomorrow’s game.
Tom Daly will no doubt be one to watch as well, with brotherly rivalry sure to push him and Sam to new heights.
Tom scored 22 points to lead the Pioneers in their 15-point loss to the Rockets, but shot just eight against the Sabres.
He also chipped in with an unselfish five assists against Sturt.
Long-term Pioneer Erik Burdon will also bolster the ranks and will hope to maintain his consistency, with double-figures in both games so far.
The week off has also given the youngsters in the roster some valuable time with the team, after circumstances resulted in a development program more rushed than coach Richard Hill would have preferred.
These players held their own in the opening round, with the likes of Lachie Hunter and Braiden Ousey impressive, while Matt Black was also commended for his efforts.
It has also provided more time for Barkley to learn the Pioneers’ basketball system.
All signs point to an exciting clash tomorrow and it will be the perfect test for the Pioneers to see how their full roster shapes up against last season’s benchmark of the competition.
The game tips off at 8.15pm after the women’s match.
