THE Mount Gambier Pioneers women will face two tough games this week, as they clash with Southern Tigers and Eastern Mavericks over two days of Basketball SA Premier League competition.
After a string of home games, the team now faces the challenge of back-to-back double-header rounds in Adelaide.
Last week’s matches saw a win and a loss for the women and they will be eager to better their results this week.
Tomorrow’s match will see the Pioneers up against a familiar opponent, when they kick off the round with a game against the Tigers.
Last time the sides met the Pioneers claimed a seven-point win on their home court, but a lot has changed since round three.
The Pioneers have won four of their five games since then, while they also picked up Pachis Roberts, who has joined fellow American import and captain Amanda Frost as stars of the team.
The two have gone from strength to strength and along with Melissa Russell have provided the experience needed for the young team to thrive.
Despite the challenge of backing up four games in two weeks, coach Matt Sutton said the players look fresh and will be up to the task.
“I think we have prepared well and freshened up from the last two games,” he said.
“We are as ready as we will ever be.”
Having faced the Tigers before, Sutton hopes for a similar result, but knows a win will not come easily.
“They have added an import to their midst and I am sure they will be a lot more prepared for what we are going to put out on the court,” he said.
“It is going to be a tough game and we are excited for the challenge.”
Sunday’s match looms large as the Pioneers face the second-placed Mavericks.
They boast league leading scorer Carmen Tyson-Thomas, who averages 26.25 points a game and will provide the ultimate test for the young Pioneers.
However, Frost sits second in the league’s scoring standings with an average of 24.29 and comes off an impressive weekend.
In the Pioneers’ win against Woodville Warriors she top-scored with 30 points, while Roberts managed an equally impressive 27 points and 11 rebounds.
“They were awesome on the weekend,” Sutton said.
“We have a lot of expectation on them to do a lot of things for our group and they have a good time while they are doing it.”
The return of youngster Keryl Ousey from state commitments was also a bonus for that match, as Melissa Russell was unavailable for Sunday’s hitout.
However, both will hit the court this week and will stand tall in defence, as the Pioneers look to put another win or two on the board in their debut season.
