IT has been a baptism of fire for the Pioneers women this season, with a new team in a new league and a host of young players filling the roster.
American import and captain Amanda Frost has led the team by example, with some impressive performances so far.
The first win for the side – recorded in front of a parochial home crowd last time the side hit the floor – was certainly the right tonic for the fledgling side.
The round-three clash against the Tigers provided an entertaining contest throughout.
Frost contributed 28 points to the victory, while Maddy Wormald and Emily Winter also reached double figures.
Melissa Russell and Olivia Wormald returned double-figure rebounding results, while youngster Emily Dawe managed 19 minutes on the floor and played with high intensity.
The girls face a tough challenge tomorrow night at the Icehouse when they host the Norwood Flames, who have just one win this season.
They were probably lucky to claim the win last week against West Adelaide, despite holding a handy 14-point buffer heading into the final stanza.
West fought back and nearly did enough, but in the end the 26-point/18-rebound contribution from Tess Bruffey made the difference and will certainly test the Pioneers talls.
However, with the injection of American import Pachis Roberts to the Mount Gambier roster, there is sure to be a bit more strength around the hoop.
Coach Matt Sutton said he is pleased with the way the team has finally come together, with the inclusion of Roberts sure to make a big difference on and off the floor.
“We are good to go now,” he said.
“Pachis arrived on Saturday, so it has been a bit of a whirlwind for her, but she has settled in really well.
“She can really play basketball and she is a nice person as well, which is important.
“She is a huge coup for us.”
With the roster now set, Sutton said he feels a real chance for another victory tomorrow night, but is under no illusions it will be a foregone conclusion.
“We feel really prepared and with Pachis it gives us a bit more flexibility,” he said.
“But they are a good team and will be just as prepared as we are.
“They got to play last week and we did not, they are in good form – they beat West who are a pretty good team as well.”
Sutton drew some similarities to his own side in the Flames.
“In some ways they play similar to us – they play hard and play for each other – so it should be a really good challenge,” he said.
One focus for the rookie coach will be to cut the influence of Bruffey around the hoop.
“She is tall, she’s big and she seals really well,” he said.
“She has more size than we have inside, so stopping her will be a big part of getting the win.”
Overall Sutton said the team appears to have settled into their task well, with good chemistry around the group.
“There was the feeling of how close the club was to not being around, then we have these girls out there doing amazing things with their backs against the wall,” he said.
“The girls have worked hard at training and have gone from a bunch of people who do not know each other, to a group who just chat all the time.
“The chemistry is really high at the moment.”
The women’s clash will tip off at 6.30pm tomorrow night.
