IN the wash up of the Mount Gambier Pioneers’ debut season in the Basketball SA Premier League, the club held its 2019 presentations on Tuesday night.
Several awards were on offer, but the most anticipated were the men’s and women’s MVP medals.
Those were both claimed by American imports, who have made such a big impact in both the men’s and women’s teams this year.
Kentrell Barkley received the Allan Scott AO MVP medal ahead of runner-up Tom Daly, while women’s captain Amanda Frost was presented with the Beth Serle OAM medal.
However, the pair’s accomplishments did not end there, as Barkley was also named the men’s best player in finals, while Frost won the golden hands trophy.
Fellow women’s American import Pachiyaanna Roberts was also awarded the best in finals trophy after standout performances, particularly in the preliminary final.
“Amanda and Pachis in our women’s team were outstanding all season for us and it showed in the voting,” Mount Gambier Pioneers president Tom Kosch said.
“Kentrell in our men’s team had an outstanding season as well, along with Tom Daly our captain.”
Brad Rathjen also cleaned up on the night, taking home both the men’s golden hands and best defensive player accolades.
“We have been extremely lucky to have Brad come back to the program this year after spending time away with football last year,” Kosch said.
“He is a great talent and probably the most exciting junior we have ever seen come through our ranks.”
Another young face to be recognised was Emily Winter, who received the coach’s trophy from Matt Sutton.
Kosch said she was a deserving recipient of the award.
“Emily is a quiet achiever and she goes about her involvement in the club in a way that is admired by all people within our organisation,” he said.
“She is involved in the Millicent association, but her love for basketball threw her across to play for the Pioneers this season.
“Her experience in the Adelaide Premier League will go leaps and bounds towards her aspirations of playing high-level basketball.”
Rounding out the player awards was Melissa Russell, who was voted the women’s best defensive player, while Michelle deWit received the Bowden Family Volunteer of the Year award.
“Michelle holds the position of team manager for our women’s team,” Kosch said.
“She has been and outstanding support to our women’s program and we could not have done it without her.”
Overall Kosch said it was “a great night” and provided the perfect opportunity to reflect on what has been a successful season.
While neither team was able to bring home the silverware, the achievements of the club can not be denied.
To create a women’s team from practically nothing just weeks before the season tip off and then fall two points short of making the title decider is no small feat.
And the men were put in a similar situation, with only two players from last year’s line-up on the roster, yet made it to the big dance on Saturday night where they were not quite able to claim the prize.
“It was really good to recognise the individual seasons of our players, but also to celebrate the season of 2019,” Kosch said.
“We are extremely proud of both teams.
“To be able to play in a preliminary final for our women and to lose by only two points to the eventual winners was a very pleasing result.
“And for our men obviously it was a pretty disappointing night for them Saturday and it is still pretty raw for them, but it has been an outstanding season for those guys.
“We could not be prouder of both groups.”
