ONCE again the season is on the line for the Mount Gambier Pioneers women, with a preliminary final clash against Forestville Eagles in Adelaide tonight.
The team will ride the high of a thrilling overtime semi-final victory last week and another close result can be expected.
Win tonight and the women will join the Pioneers men in the 2019 Basketball SA Premier League grand final, but lose and their season comes crashing to an end.
The last time the Pioneers met Forestville was in round 19 of the minor rounds a few short weeks ago, which saw the former with a two-point win at the Icehouse.
Look back to round nine and the Eagles held the advantage on their home court by five points at the final buzzer.
Those results suggest another tight encounter, which the Pioneers women have become renown for during their debut season in the competition.
Coach Matt Sutton looks forward to the clash and expects another small margin.
“I think that’s just the way our team roles, with hard-fought and close battles,” he said.
“I don’t think that will change for this one.”
Sutton has been impressed with the dedication of the group this week and how quickly they transitioned between celebration and getting back to business.
“I have been really impressed with their ability to switch focus to the task at hand,” he said.
“There is certainly a level of excitement to be at this point of the season.
“The girls are posing questions and putting ideas forward for strategies, which shows they are invested in the task ahead.”
Forestville has a well-rounded roster and who will step up on the night can be unpredictable.
However, Sutton said the Pioneers have plays in place to combat a range of scenarios.
“I think our preparation has been really good,” he said.
“Forestville are a pretty formidable side with a well-rounded attack.
“It makes them pretty unpredictable, as they have players who step up on different nights and you can’t be sure which one it will be.”
The likes of Melissa Russell and Olivia Wormald will be key in the Pioneers’ defence, while regular contributors Amanda Frost, Pachiyaanna Roberts and Emily Winter will look to fire under the basket and in a rebound contest at either end.
Maddy Wormald played her best match of the season last week and scored a career-high 23 points, while also making vital plays to push her team to its thrilling victory.
She will hope to back up the performance tonight, while youngster Keryl Ousey – who was injured last round – has been given the all clear and will bring her height advantage to the court.
After a couple of days recovery, Sutton said everyone pulled up well at training on Tuesday and will be raring to go tonight.
Can the Pioneers continue to defy the odds and book themselves a place against Sturt Sabres in the title decider?
All will be revealed tonight, with tip off at 6.30pm.
The match will also be live streamed on the Basketball SA Premier League Facebook page.
