Picture: TREVOR JACKSON
A FULL Mount Gambier Pioneers men’s team took to the court on Saturday night for a solid win over West Adelaide Bearcats.
The round 12 Basketball SA Premiers League match saw the Pioneers host the Bearcats at the Icehouse and gave the home crowd plenty to cheer about.
Both Sam Daly and Erik Burdon returned to the side from injury, with the latter making the most of his opportunity to play, scoring 20 points in a solid team performance.
In fact, four players scored 20 points or more, with Brad Rathjen and captain Tom Daly shooting 22 each, while Kentrell Barkley again led the charge with 34 points, second only to West Adelaide’s Bryan Jefferson who scored 40.
Barkley added 17 rebounds to complete another impressive double-double.
The match started evenly in the opening minutes, but the Pioneers soon broke away to score a huge 44 points in the first quarter and lead by 17 at the change.
The Bearcats stayed in touch in the second term and the difference at half time was reduced to 16 points.
However, the hosts remained on the front foot and did not let the Bearcats back in the game, holding them at arm’s length to lead by 19 at the final change.
The game continued in that fashion until its end and at the final buzzer the Pioneers claimed a 24-point win, much to the delight of coach Richard Hill.
“It was a good win,” he said.
“It was pretty easy in the end really.
“We got off to a great start and scored 44 in the first quarter – that was very good.”
Despite the triumph, Hill said there remains work to be done before this week’s clash with ladder leader Norwood Flames.
“From an offensive point of view there was very little to complain about, but defensively we were not great, we need to be better,” he said.
“But still, to get a 24-point win was very encouraging.”
Hill was pleased to have both Sam Daly and Burdon back on the court, especially as two tough games loom on the road this week.
“Eze (Burdon) played extremely well,” Hill said.
“He has done a lot of work in the last few weeks.
“He has been lucky his injury has not stopped him from working out and keeping in great shape, where Sam has not been able to do very much training at all.
“It was good to have them both back in the lineup.”
It was a good team game, with contributions across the board, as Barkley complimented his double-double with seven assists, while Tom Daly completed a double-double himself with 11 assists in a selfless performance.
DayJar Dickson was Hill’s best defender on the night and pulled down nine rebounds – seven from the defensive end.
Hill was pleased with how the side shared the ball and will look for it to carry the same attitude into this weekend’s games.
“We had four guys with 20-plus points so that was encouraging,” he said.
“We shared the ball well which is always a good trait of ours.
“Kentrell was probably the best on the court, he was terrific.
“Both Brad Rathjen and Tom Daly controlled the game as floor generals and Erik Burdon shot the ball tremendously well – he made five of eight threes.
“We got a little bit from everybody, which when you win by 24 you sort of expect.”
Looking ahead the Pioneers face a tough road trip, up against ladder leader Norwood Flames on Saturday night, before backing it up against the Central Districts Lions on Sunday.
The Lions sit below the Pioneers on the ladder, but defeated the Flames in round 11 and will provide another challenge in a big weekend for the Pioneers.
However, Hill is excited to hit the road and play some ball.
“We are really looking forward to it,” he said.
“We have not played a lot recently so it is going to be nice to go away and get a couple of games under our belt.”
